Too / Enough
Stating minimum and maximum requirements
Too versus Enough
| TOO + ADJECTIVE + INFINITIVE PHRASE | ADJECTIVE + ENOUGH + INFINITIVE PHRASE |
|---|---|
We use too to state an opinion about something being inadequate (not sufficient, below what is desirable) or excessive (above what is desirable). |
We use enough to state an opinion about something being inadequate; within what is desirable |
Jill is too young to drive. (She may not do it.) |
Jill is old enough to drive. (She may not do it.) |
This work is too hard to do. (I cannot do it.) |
This work is easy enough to do. (I can do it.) |
This orange is too bitter to eat. (I cannot eat it.) |
This orange is sweet enough to eat. (I can eat it.) |
Adequate — means the same
| NEGATIVE + TOO | ENOUGH |
|---|---|
We use not too to state an opinion about something being inadequate; within what is desirable |
Each sentence below means the same as the sentence to its left. |
Jill is not too young to drive. (She is within the permitted age range.) |
Jill is old enough to drive. (She is within an allowable range.) |
This work isn't too hard to do. (It is within a do-able range.) |
This work is easy enough to do. (It is within a do-able range.) |
This orange isn't too bitter to eat. (It is within a desirable range.) |
This orange is sweet enough to eat. (It is within a desirable range.) |
Inadequate or Excessive — means almost the same
| TOO | NEGATIVE + ENOUGH |
|---|---|
We use too before an adjective for an unacceptable, excessive amount. |
We use enough before an adjective for an unacceptable, inadequate amount. |
Jill is too young to drive. She is under-age. |
Jill isn't old enough to drive. (She is under-age.) |
Jill's grandfather is too old to drive. His age is excessive: his abilities are inadequate. |
Her grandfather's eyesight isn't good enough to drive. His ability to see is inadequate. |
This work is too hard to do. It is excessively hard. |
This work isn't easy enough to do. The level of ease is inadequate. |
This orange is too bitter to eat. It is excessively bitter. |
This orange isn't sweet enough to eat. It is inadequately sweet. |
Common Mistakes
| ERROR | FIX |
|---|---|
*Your wife is too beautiful. |
Your wife is very beautiful. |
*Your baby is beautiful enough. |
Your baby is very beautiful. |
*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.
Too Much & Much Too
Adding Emphasis
Too Many vs. Too Much
| TOO MANY + COUNT NOUN | TOO MUCH + NONCOUNT NOUN |
|---|---|
Use too many before a count noun for an unacceptable, excessive amount. |
Use too much before a noncount noun for an unacceptable, excessive amount. |
People eat too many chips, cookies and candy bars. (to stay healthy) |
People eat too much fat, sugar and salt. (to stay healthy) |
Vending machines sell too many high-calorie snacks. |
Prepared food uses too much packaging. (plastic, boxes, padding) |
Also see: Much, More & Far Much More
Practice
- Select the word from each menu that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button to the right.