too and enough

Rules

• Rule 1: too + adjective / adverb

  too comes before an adjective (or adverb) and shows a problem. Careful: very just means “a lot”, but too means “more than is good, so it doesn't work”. We can add to + verb or for + person.

  Pattern: too + adjective (+ for person) (+ to verb)

  Example: This sweater is too big for me.

  Example: The box is too heavy for me to carry.

• Rule 2: adjective + enough

  enough comes after an adjective (or adverb). Negative: not + adjective + enough.

  Pattern: adjective + enough · not + adjective + enough

  Example: The rope is strong enough.

  Example: My little brother isn't old enough to go to school.

• Rule 3: With nouns: enough / too much / too many

  With a noun, enough goes before it. For “more than is good” with nouns: too much + uncountable, too many + countable plural. (For “less than we need”: too little / too few.)

  Pattern: enough + noun · too much + uncountable · too many + plural

  Example: Do we have enough plates?

  Example: There are too many books in my bag.

Common mistakes

• She is enough tall. → She is tall enough.

  enough goes after the adjective.

• The tea is too much hot. → The tea is too hot.

  With an adjective, use only too.

• There are too much cars. → There are too many cars.

  cars is countable → too many.