Too, too much, too many, enough
Learn how to express quantity and sufficiency correctly.
- check_circleI can use 'too' and 'enough' to talk about quantity and degree.
- check_circleI can understand the difference between 'too much' and 'too many'.
Discover
Meet today's English in a real situation — no rules yet. Read it once and try to guess the pattern in the words in bold. Underlined words open a short definition.
Anna: This restaurant is too crowded. We’ll never get a table.
Mark: I know. There are too many people and not enough tables.
Anna: And the music is too loud. I can’t even hear you!
Mark: Do you want to go to the Italian place next door?
Anna: We can’t. It’s too expensive, and I don’t have enough money with me.
Mark: Don’t worry, I have plenty of cash. I can pay.
Anna: Are you sure? I feel bad.
Mark: It’s fine! But wait… I just checked my wallet, and I left my credit card at home. I only have ten dollars. That’s not enough.
Anna: Oh, Mark! You are hilarious. Let’s just buy some sandwiches and eat in the park.
Learn
Now the rules behind what you just saw — explained simply, with examples. Underlined words open a short definition — hover on desktop, tap on a phone.
We use too and enough to talk about the quantity or degree of something. They can describe nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
Too + Adjective
We use too before an adjective to mean “more than is needed or wanted” (a negative meaning).
- The coffee is too hot to drink.
- I can’t buy this jacket; it’s too expensive.
Common mistake: Don’t confuse too with very. “Very” just makes the adjective stronger, but “too” means there is a problem.
- It’s very cold today, but I like it. (No problem)
- It’s too cold today. I don’t want to go out. (Problem)
Too much / Too many + Noun
When we talk about nouns, we use too much for uncountable nouns and too many for countable nouns.
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Too much + Uncountable Noun:
format_quoteEXAMPLEI ate too much sugar today. -
Too many + Countable Noun:
format_quoteEXAMPLEThere are too many people in this room.
Remember that “people”, “children”, and “things” are countable. “Time”, “money”, and “luggage” are uncountable.
Enough
We use enough to mean “the right amount” or “sufficient”. It can go with nouns or adjectives, but the position changes!
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Adjective + enough:
format_quoteEXAMPLEIs the water warm enough? -
Enough + Noun:
format_quoteEXAMPLEWe don’t have enough time to finish the test.
Common mistake: Spanish speakers often put “enough” before the adjective.
The car is enough big.→ The car is big enough.
- too + adjective (too cold, too late)
- too much + uncountable noun (too much time, too much water)
- too many + plural countable noun (too many cars, too many friends)
- adjective + enough (tall enough, fast enough)
- enough + noun (enough money, enough chairs)
Practice
Try it yourself. You'll see right away whether you got it right, plus a short explanation of why.
Use It
Now make the language yours in a real task. Use the prompt below — the editor keeps a simple word count, and nothing is saved or graded.
Before you finish — be honest. Can you do these now?