“Too” means more than is good or possible (a problem). “Enough” means as much as is needed. The position is different: too comes before the adjective, enough comes after it (but before a noun).
Form
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| too + adjective / adverb (+ to + verb) | It is too hot. He is too tired to drive. |
| adjective / adverb + enough (+ to + verb) | It isn't warm enough. She is old enough to vote. |
| enough + noun | We have enough time. |
When to use it
- Too = a problem: It's too noisy to sleep.
- Enough after an adjective: She is old enough to drive.
- Enough before a noun: enough chairs, enough time.
- Not enough = too little: The soup isn't hot enough.
- With “for” + person: It's too difficult for me.
Examples
- This coffee is too hot to drink.
- He isn't tall enough to reach the shelf.
- I have enough money for a taxi.
- She spoke too quickly for me to understand.
- Is the room big enough?
- There are too many people here.
Common mistakes
- “Enough” before an adjective: enough big → big enough.
- “Too” for “very”: I'm too happy to see you → I'm very happy to see you. (too = negative result)
- “Too much” with countable nouns: too much people → too many people.