Too, Too Much, Too Many, Enough

Too, Too Much, Too Many, Enough

We use too to say there is more than we want. It is a problem. We use enough to say we have as much as we need (or more).

Structure

• Too + adjective/adverb: more than you want. Example: This coffee is too hot. You are walking too fast.
• Too much + uncountable noun: Example: too much sugar. Too much can also come after a verb: I ate too much.
• Too many + plural countable noun: Example: too many mistakes.
• Adjective/adverb + enough: Example: big enough, loudly enough.
• Enough + noun: Example: enough time.
• Not + adjective/adverb + enough: less than you need. Example: The room isn't big enough.
• Too/enough + to + verb: Example: too tired to cook, old enough to drive.

How the Grammar Works

1. Use too + adjective or adverb when something is more than you want: This bag is too heavy.
2. Use too much with uncountable nouns (things you do not count, like sugar, time, money). Use too many with plural countable nouns (things you can count): too much money, too many emails.
3. Put enough after an adjective or an adverb. It means as much as you need: Is the soup hot enough? You speak clearly enough.
4. Put enough before a noun: We don't have enough time. (adjective/adverb + enough, but enough + noun)
5. Use not + adjective + enough to say something is less than you need: The room isn't big enough for six people.
6. After too or enough, you can add to + verb: I'm too tired to cook. He is old enough to drive. To name a person or thing, use for: These shoes are too small for me.

Common Use Cases

• Saying something is more than you want: The music is too loud.
• Explaining a problem or a reason: I'm too tired to cook tonight.
• Checking if you have what you need: Do we have enough chairs?
• Saying something is less than you need: You aren't speaking loudly enough.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Putting enough before an adjective: Incorrect: The room is enough big. Correct: The room is big enough.
• Putting enough after a noun: the normal order is enough + noun. Say We have enough time. (Time enough is old-fashioned; do not use it.)
• Using too much with countable nouns: Incorrect: too much people. Correct: too many people.
• Using too much before an adjective: Incorrect: The soup is too much hot. Correct: The soup is too hot. (Too much is for nouns. Use too before adjectives.)

Comparison with Related Grammar

Do not confuse too with very. Very only makes the word stronger. Too means more than you want, so there is a problem. This tea is very hot, but I like it. This tea is too hot. I can't drink it yet.

Example Sentences

• These shoes are too small for me.
• He ate too much cake and felt sick.
• There are too many emails in my inbox.
• You are walking too fast for me.
• Is the water warm enough for a swim?
• We don't have enough money for a taxi.
• You aren't speaking loudly enough.
• She is old enough to drive.

When to Use This Rule

Use too for more than you want, which is a problem. Use enough for as much as you need, and not enough for less than you need. Remember the word order: adjective/adverb + enough, but enough + noun.