What Do “Too” and “Enough” Mean?

These words are called “degree modifiers.” They change the meaning of adjectives, adverbs, or nouns.

They tell us if something is more or less than what is needed or wanted.

When Do We Use "Too"?

• We use too to say that something is *more than necessary* or *more than wanted*.
• It often has a negative meaning, showing a problem or a bad result.
• Think of too as meaning "excessively."
• Too always comes *before* an adjective or an adverb.

When Do We Use "Enough"?

• We use enough to say that something is *sufficient* or *the right amount*.
• It can have a positive or negative meaning, depending on if it's used with not.
• Enough has two positions:
• *After* an adjective or an adverb.
• *Before* a noun.

Using "Too" with Adjectives and Adverbs

The structure is always too + adjective/adverb.

This shows that the quality is in excess.

• The coffee is too hot to drink. (The coffee is excessively hot.)
• He walks too slowly. (His walking speed is excessively slow.)
• This box is too heavy for me to lift. (The box has excessive weight.)

Using "Enough" with Adjectives and Adverbs

The structure is always adjective/adverb + enough.

This shows that the quality is sufficient or not sufficient.

• Are you warm enough? (Are you sufficiently warm?)
• He isn't tall enough to reach the shelf. (He is not sufficiently tall.)
• She doesn't speak loudly enough. (Her speaking volume is not sufficiently loud.)

Using "Enough" with Nouns

The structure is always enough + noun.

This shows that there is a sufficient or not sufficient quantity of something.

• Do we have enough food for everyone? (Do we have a sufficient quantity of food?)
• I don't have enough money to buy that car. (I don't have a sufficient quantity of money.)
• There isn't enough time to finish the test. (There isn't a sufficient quantity of time.)

Examples

• It's too cold to go outside.
• She drives too fast.
• This shirt is too small for me.
• Are you warm enough?
• He isn't strong enough to open the jar.
• Do you have enough water?
• We don't have enough chairs.

Practice

Common mistakes for Spanish speakers

Here are some common mistakes Spanish speakers make when using too and enough:

• Wrong position for enough: Spanish speakers often put enough *before* the adjective, like in Spanish ("bastante fuerte"). In English, it must go *after*.
  • Wrong: He is enough strong.
  • Right: He is strong enough.
• Confusing too with very: Too means "excessively" and implies a problem. Very just means "a lot" and is neutral.
  • It's very hot. (Just a fact, maybe you like it.)
  • It's too hot. (It's a problem, you can't sleep.)
• Using too much/many instead of too with adjectives: Too much/many is for nouns. Too is for adjectives/adverbs.
  • Wrong: The soup is too much salty.
  • Right: The soup is too salty.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between "too" and "enough"?

Too means "more than needed or wanted" (excessive). Enough means "the right amount" (sufficient).

Where do I put "too"?

Too always goes *before* adjectives and adverbs. For example, too big or too quickly.

Where do I put "enough"?

Enough goes *after* adjectives and adverbs (e.g., big enough, quickly enough) but *before* nouns (e.g., enough money, enough time).

Can I use "too" or "enough" with verbs?

Not directly. You use them with adjectives, adverbs, or nouns. For example, you can say He eats too much (with the adverb much), but not He too eats.

Related lessons

• Degree modifiers
• Degree modifiers
• Degree modifiers
• Degree modifiers