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IntermediateAdjectives

Learn Too / Enough + Adjective or Noun in English

Express excess and sufficiency: too hot, not enough time, big enough.

Learning goal
Recognize and use this pattern in context.
Practice
10 randomized questions with explanations.
Suggested workflow
Study the examples, then take the quiz.

Grammar Focus

Too and enough are two of the most useful words in English for expressing degrees of quantity and quality. They let you say when something is more than you want (too much) or when something meets a required level (enough). Mastering these two words will make your English much more precise and natural.

  • Too comes before an adjective or adverb and means 'more than is good or acceptable': *The coffee is too hot to drink.*
  • Enough comes after an adjective or adverb and means 'as much as necessary': *The soup is warm enough now.*
  • Enough comes before a noun and means 'a sufficient quantity': *We don't have enough time.*
  • Too often carries a negative meaning — something is excessive or problematic: *She is too tired to go out.*
  • Enough can be positive or negative depending on context: *Are you strong enough? / We don't have enough money.*
  • Both words are commonly followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to explain the consequence: *It is too cold to swim. / She is old enough to drive.*

Form & Structure

Too + Adjective / Adverb

too + adjective/adverb (more than desired or acceptable): too hot, too slowly, too expensive
The bag is too heavy to carry.
He drives too fast for this road.
It was too cold to go swimming.

Adjective / Adverb + Enough

adjective/adverb + enough (sufficient to do something): big enough, fast enough, well enough
The room is big enough for all of us.
She doesn't speak loudly enough for people at the back to hear.
Are you feeling well enough to travel?

Enough + Noun

enough + noun (a sufficient quantity or amount): enough time, enough money, enough people
We don't have enough time to finish the project.
Is there enough food for everyone at the party?
She saved enough money to buy a new laptop.

Common Mistakes

Putting 'enough' before the adjective instead of after

The soup is enough hot to eat.
The soup is hot enough to eat.

Tip: When 'enough' modifies an adjective or adverb, it always comes AFTER the adjective or adverb, not before. Think: adjective first, then 'enough'.

Putting 'too' after the adjective instead of before

The box is heavy too to lift.
The box is too heavy to lift.

Tip: 'Too' always comes BEFORE the adjective or adverb it modifies. The word order is: too + adjective/adverb.

Confusing 'too' with 'very' — 'too' implies a problem, 'very' does not

This movie is too good. (meaning it's excellent)
This movie is very good. / The movie is too long to finish tonight.

Tip: 'Too' means 'more than is wanted or acceptable' and usually suggests a negative consequence. Use 'very' simply to intensify without implying a problem.

Why This Grammar Matters

Giving reasons for decisions

“I didn't apply for the job because I wasn't experienced enough.”
“We left the restaurant because the music was too loud.”

Shopping and daily life

“These shoes are too small — do you have a bigger size?”
“I don't have enough cash. Can I pay by card?”

Talking about health and physical ability

“He's too sick to come to school today.”
“Is she strong enough to carry those boxes?”

Planning and time management

“We don't have enough time to visit all the museums.”
“The deadline is too soon — we need more time.”