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What are Degree Modifiers?

Degree modifiers are words that change the intensity or degree of an adjective, adverb, or noun. They help you express how much or to what extent something is true.

In English, too, enough, so, and such are common degree modifiers. They add important detail to your sentences.

How Do We Use 'Too'?

Too means 'more than necessary' or 'more than desired'. It often has a negative meaning, suggesting a problem or an undesirable situation.

• Too + Adjective/Adverb: Too comes before adjectives or adverbs.

Example: The coffee is too hot to drink. (It's hotter than I want it to be.)

Example: He drives too fast. (He drives faster than is safe or allowed.)

• Too much + Uncountable Noun: Use too much with nouns you cannot count (e.g., water, time, money).

Example: There's too much sugar in my tea.

Example: I have too much work to do.

• Too many + Countable Noun: Use too many with nouns you can count (e.g., books, people, ideas).

Example: There are too many cars on the road.

Example: She has too many shoes.

When Do We Use 'Enough'?

Enough means 'sufficient' or 'the right amount'. It can be used in positive or negative sentences.

• Adjective/Adverb + Enough: Enough comes after adjectives or adverbs.

Example: The water is warm enough for swimming. (It has the right temperature.)

Example: You're not working fast enough. (You need to work faster.)

• Enough + Noun: Enough comes before nouns (countable or uncountable).

Example: Do you have enough money for the ticket?

Example: We don't have enough chairs for everyone.

What is the Difference Between 'So' and 'Such'?

So and such both emphasize or intensify. They make adjectives, adverbs, or nouns stronger.

• So + Adjective/Adverb: Use so before an adjective or an adverb without a noun.

Example: The movie was so interesting!

Example: He speaks English so fluently.

• Such + (a/an) + Adjective + Noun: Use such before a noun or a noun phrase (often with an adjective).

Example: It was such a beautiful day. (singular countable noun)

Example: They are such kind people. (plural countable noun)

Example: We had such good weather. (uncountable noun)

Can We Use 'That' Clauses with These Modifiers?

Yes, you can often follow too, enough, so, and such with a that clause to explain the result or consequence.

• Too + Adjective/Adverb + to + Verb: This structure is very common.

Example: She's too young to understand.

• Adjective/Adverb + Enough + to + Verb:

Example: He's tall enough to reach the top shelf.

• So + Adjective/Adverb + that + Clause:

Example: The book was so boring that I fell asleep.

• Such + (a/an) + Adjective + Noun + that + Clause:

Example: It was such a difficult test that nobody passed.

Summary of Degree Modifiers: Structures and Meanings

Modifier	Structure	Meaning / Implication
Too	too + adjective/adverb	Excessive, more than desired (often negative)
Too much	too much + uncountable noun	Excessive quantity (uncountable)
Too many	too many + countable noun	Excessive quantity (countable)
Enough	adjective/adverb + enough	Sufficient, the right amount or degree
Enough	enough + noun	Sufficient quantity (countable or uncountable)
So	so + adjective/adverb	Emphasizes intensity of adjective/adverb
Such	such + (a/an) + adjective + noun	Emphasizes intensity of noun/noun phrase

Examples

• This box is too heavy for me to lift.
• You're not old enough to watch that movie.
• There's too much noise in this room.
• We have enough food for everyone.
• She was so happy to see her friends.
• It was such an exciting game!
• I have too many things to do today.
• Is your coffee sweet enough?

Practice

Common mistakes for Spanish speakers

Spanish speakers sometimes make mistakes with these modifiers because of direct translation from Spanish:

• Confusing too with very: In Spanish, 'demasiado' can sometimes be used like 'very', but in English, too usually implies a negative excess. Saying The food was too good sounds strange; use The food was very good or so good instead.
• Placement of enough: Remember adjective/adverb + enough, not enough + adjective/adverb. Incorrect: I am enough tall. Correct: I am tall enough.
• Using so instead of such before a noun: Spanish 'tan' (so) can be used before adjectives, but 'tal' (such) is used before nouns. Incorrect: It was so good movie. Correct: It was such a good movie.
• Confusing too much/too many with too: Remember to use too much for uncountable nouns and too many for countable nouns. Incorrect: I have too problems. Correct: I have too many problems.

Frequently asked questions

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

Too means 'more than necessary or desired' (excess), often with a negative result. Enough means 'sufficient' or 'the right amount', indicating adequacy.

When should I use 'so' versus 'such'?

Use so before an adjective or adverb (e.g., so tired, so quickly). Use such before a noun or a noun phrase (e.g., such a mess, such good news).

Can 'too' be used positively?

Generally, too has a negative connotation. While you might hear it colloquially in phrases like That's too kind of you!, it still implies an excess, even if a pleasant one. For general positive emphasis, use very, really, or so.

Is there a difference between 'too much' and 'too many'?

Yes. Use too much with uncountable nouns (e.g., too much information, too much time). Use too many with countable nouns (e.g., too many questions, too many people).