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” with Adjectives

Use too before an adjective. It means more than we want or need, so it often describes a problem.

too + adjective

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

2.1 When something cannot happen

Add to + base verb to explain what cannot happen because of the problem.

too + adjective + to + base verb

• The tea is too hot to drink. (We cannot drink it now.)
• I am too tired to study.
• The box is too heavy to lift.
• She is too young to travel alone.

3. “Enough” with Adjectives

With an adjective, enough comes after the adjective. It means that the level is sufficient or acceptable.

adjective + enough

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

3.1 “Not + adjective + enough”

Use not + adjective + enough when the level is lower than we need. With be, we often use a contraction such as isn’t or aren’t.

• The room isn’t warm enough.
• This bag isn’t big enough for all my books.
• I’m not old enough to drive.

3.2 When something is possible

Add to + base verb to explain what is possible because the level is sufficient.

adjective + enough + to + base verb

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

4. “Enough” with Nouns

With a noun, enough comes before the noun.

enough + noun

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

For an insufficient quantity, use not enough + noun: There isn’t enough time to finish.

5. Quick Summary: Word Order

Meaning	Pattern	Example
more than wanted or needed	too + adjective	too hot
a problem prevents an action	too + adjective + to + base verb	too hot to drink
a sufficient level	adjective + enough	warm enough
an insufficient level	not + adjective + enough	isn’t warm enough
a sufficient level makes an action possible	adjective + enough + to + base verb	old enough to drive
a sufficient quantity	enough + noun	enough time
an insufficient quantity	not enough + noun	not enough time