Word
too
US/ˈtu/
UK/tˈuː/
Adverb of degree
Definitions
01more than enough
A1 · Beginner
adv. more than is needed, wanted, or possible.
adv. to an excessive degree; used before adjectives or adverbs to indicate that a quality exceeds a desirable or functional limit.
“The soup was too salty to eat, so I had to send it back.”
“The instructions were too complex for a novice to follow without constant supervision from a senior technician.”
Usage
Placed immediately before the adjective or adverb it modifies.
Pitfall
The coffee is very hot to drink.
The coffee is too hot to drink.
Use 'too' when a quality is so strong that it causes a problem or prevents an action. 'Very' just means 'to a high degree'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02also
A1 · Beginner
adv. in addition; also.
adv. likewise or in addition; functions as an additive focus marker.
“I am going to the cinema tonight, and my brother is coming too.”
“While the primary goal is to reduce costs, the new policy aims to improve employee satisfaction too.”
Usage
Usually placed at the end of a clause or sentence.
Pitfall
I too like chocolate.
I like chocolate too.
While 'too' can appear after the subject in formal writing, it most naturally sits at the end of the sentence in everyday English.
03very
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
adv. very or extremely.
adv. used as an intensifier to mean 'very'; often found in fixed expressions like 'only too happy'.
“I would be only too happy to help you with your project.”
“The consequences of ignoring the safety warnings are only too clear to those who have worked in the industry for years.”
Confusables
To marks a destination or an infinitive, too indicates excess or addition, and two is the number 2.
RememberTo is for travel; Too has an extra 'o'; Two has a 'w' like twelve.
Etymology
From Middle English to (“also, in addition to”), from Old English tō (“furthermore, also, besides”), adverbial use of preposition tō (“to, into”). The sense of "in addition, also" deriving from the original meaning of "apart, separately" (compare Old English prefix tō- (“apart”)). Doublet of to; see there for more.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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