Too...to / Enough...to
B1 IntermediateUse 'too' and 'enough' with adjectives and adverbs to describe the degree of a quality in relation to a specific action or purpose.
Overview
Too indicates that a quality is present in an excessive amount, making a certain action impossible or undesirable. Enough indicates that a quality is present in the required amount to make an action possible.
- Too has a negative connotation in this structure.
- Enough has a positive or neutral connotation.
Form
too + adjective/adverb + to-infinitive | adjective/adverb + enough + to-infinitive
Note the position of the adjective or adverb. Too comes before the word it modifies, while enough follows it.
Examples
Common mistakes
The water is enough warm to swim.
The water is warm enough to swim.
The word 'enough' must always follow the adjective it modifies.
The box is too heavy to lift it.
The box is too heavy to lift.
Do not include an object pronoun at the end of the sentence if the subject of the sentence is the object of the infinitive.
Too vs. Enough
Both structures are often followed by for + person before the to-infinitive, such as: 'The shelf is too high for me to reach.'
| Structure | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Too + Adjective | More than necessary (Negative) | Too cold to swim |
| Adjective + Enough | Sufficient amount (Positive) | Warm enough to swim |
Practice
Complete the sentence: The suitcase is ___ (heavy) ___ carry.
Show answer
too heavy to
Answer:too heavy to
Why:We use 'too' before the adjective and 'to' before the verb to show that the weight makes the action impossible.
Complete the sentence: Is the room ___ (bright) ___ read in?
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bright enough to
Answer:bright enough to
Why:'Enough' must follow the adjective 'bright' to ask if the light is sufficient for reading.
Correct the error: He is enough tall to reach the top shelf.
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He is tall enough to reach the top shelf.
Answer:He is tall enough to reach the top shelf.
Why:In English, 'enough' is placed after the adjective it describes.