subject + be + too + adjectiveToo goes before the adjective, not after it. It shows excess.
Too and Enough
A2Use too before an adjective for a problem, and adjective + enough for a sufficient level. Both patterns often continue with to + verb.
What you'll learn
- Put too before an adjective.
- Put enough after an adjective.
- Use too + adjective + to + verb for a blocked action.
- Use adjective + enough + to + verb for a possible action.
- Choose too for excess and enough for sufficiency.
Structure
subject + be + adjective + enoughEnough goes after the adjective, not before it. It shows a sufficient level.
subject + be + too + adjective + to + verbUse this pattern when the degree blocks the action.
subject + be + adjective + enough + to + verbUse this pattern when the degree makes the action possible.
Build a sentence
Subject
Adjective
Result verb
The boxistooheavytocarry
The box is too heavy to carry.
Use too before the adjective for a problem.
When to use
Problem level
Use too when the degree creates a problem: too heavy to lift, too noisy to sleep, too late to call.
Sufficient level
Use enough when the degree is right for the action: strong enough to carry, warm enough to swim, clear enough to read.
Real-life decisions
These patterns help with practical choices: Is the soup too hot to eat? Is the room quiet enough to study?
Markers
tooenoughto opento carryto reachto understand
Common mistakes
Wrong
The box is heavy too to lift.
Correct
The box is too heavy to lift.
Too goes before the adjective.
Wrong
Lisa is enough strong to move the table.
Correct
Lisa is strong enough to move the table.
Enough comes after the adjective.
Wrong
The tea is too hot drink now.
Correct
The tea is too hot to drink now.
After too + adjective, use to + verb.
Wrong
Tom is tall enough reach the shelf.
Correct
Tom is tall enough to reach the shelf.
After adjective + enough, use to + verb.
Wrong
The river is deep enough to swim here, so let's stay out.
Correct
The river is too deep to swim here.
Use too when the meaning is negative and the action is not a good idea or not possible.
Common misconceptions
❝ Too and enough go in the same place before the adjective. ❞
Too goes before the adjective, but enough goes after it: too expensive, cheap enough.
❝ Too just means very, so it can describe a good result. ❞
Too means more than wanted or acceptable. It normally points to a problem, not a neutral or positive result.
Skills in this rule (6)
TOO_BEFORE_ADJECTIVEw5Put too before an adjective
Use too before an adjective to show more than necessary or more than acceptable. It often introduces a problem.
ENOUGH_AFTER_ADJECTIVEw5Put enough after an adjective
Use enough after an adjective to show the right amount or level for a result. It often connects to an action with to + verb.
TOO_PLUS_TO_VERBw5Use too + adjective + to + verb for an impossible or blocked action
Use this pattern when a strong degree stops the action from happening. The second part is to + base verb.
ENOUGH_PLUS_TO_VERBw5Use adjective + enough + to + verb for a possible action
Use this pattern when the degree is sufficient for the action. The action comes after to + base verb.
CHOOSE_TOO_OR_ENOUGHw4Choose too for a problem and enough for sufficiency
Use too when the degree is excessive and creates a negative result. Use enough when the degree is sufficient for the result.
PICK_RESULT_PATTERNSw3Recognize result patterns with too and enough
Look for clue words like carry, lift, open, reach, or understand after to. These patterns often describe whether an action is possible or not.