ENGLISH
REFERENCE

far too

fixed phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. you use this to emphasize that something is much more than it should be. it is a stronger way of saying 'too'.

fixed phr.. an intensifier phrase used to modify adjectives or adverbs, indicating an excessive degree that often carries a negative or critical connotation.


SIMPLE

This coffee is far too hot to drink.

CONTEXTUAL

We missed the beginning of the movie because the bus was far too slow.

COMPLEX

The proposed budget for the infrastructure project is far too ambitious given the current economic climate and labor shortages.

Usage

always precedes an adjective or an adverb to show that a limit has been greatly exceeded.

Teaching tip

help students see that 'far' acts as a degree adverb here; it can be replaced by 'much' (much too), but 'far too' is often more common in spoken English for emphasis.

Pitfall

The car is too far expensive.The car is far too expensive.the word 'far' must come before 'too' to act as an intensifier for the adjective.

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