Intensifiers (Too and Enough)

1. What are “too” and “enough”?

We use too and enough to say if something is more than we want, or the right amount.

• Too = more than we want (a problem)
• Enough = the right amount (OK)

Examples

• too hot
• too expensive
• warm enough
• enough water

Compare

• The coffee is too hot. (This is a problem.)
• The coffee is hot enough to drink. (OK / sufficient)

2. Too + adjective

Use too before an adjective.

Structure

too + adjective

Examples

• too cold
• too loud
• too difficult
• too expensive

Sentences

• The music is too loud.
• This bag is too heavy.
• The room is too small.
• The exercise is too difficult.

Too usually means “more than we want/need”, so it often shows a problem (too big, too hot, too expensive).

3. Too + adjective + to + verb

This structure explains why something cannot happen.

Structure

too + adjective + to + verb

Examples

• too hot to drink
• too tired to work
• too heavy to carry

Sentences

• The tea is too hot to drink.
• I am too tired to study.
• The box is too heavy to lift.
• The music is too loud to sleep.

Meaning

• It is too dark to drive. (We cannot drive because it is very dark.)
• She is too young to travel alone. (She cannot travel alone because she is very young.)

4. Enough with adjectives

With adjectives, enough comes after the adjective.

Structure

adjective + enough

Examples

• warm enough
• strong enough
• quiet enough

Sentences

• The room is warm enough.
• She is strong enough.
• The music is quiet enough.

Enough usually shows that something is sufficient or acceptable.

5. Adjective + enough + to + verb

This structure explains what is possible.

Structure

adjective + enough + to + verb

Examples

• old enough to drive
• strong enough to carry it
• quiet enough to study

Sentences

• He is old enough to drive.
• I am strong enough to lift the box.
• The room is quiet enough to work in.

Meaning

• The coffee is hot enough to drink. (The coffee can be drunk.)
• He is tall enough to reach it. (He can reach it.)

6. Enough with nouns

With nouns, enough comes before the noun.

Structure

enough + noun

Examples

• enough water
• enough money
• enough food
• enough time

Sentences

• We have enough food.
• She doesn’t have enough money.
• I have enough time today.
• They bought enough water for everyone.

7. Quick recap: word order

• too + adjective: too hot

• adjective + enough: hot enough

• enough + noun: enough time

• too + adjective: too loud

• adjective + enough: quiet enough

8. Key takeaways

• Too means more than we want or need.
• Enough means sufficient or the right amount.
• Too comes before adjectives.
• Enough comes after adjectives but before nouns.
• Too + adjective + to + verb explains why something cannot happen.
• Adjective + enough + to + verb explains what is possible.