Grammar: So, such, too, enough
Too
Use:
Too means there is a lot of something. It shows a negative opinion.
It’s too hot = It is very hot and I don’t like it.
Form:
You can use too before an adjective.
It’s too cold. My trousers are too small.
You can also use it before an adverb,
You walk too fast. James speaks too quietly.
Before a noun, use too much (uncountable nouns) or many (countable nouns).
I ate too much food.
I ate too many sandwiches.
You can also use too much after a verb.
I ate too much.
Paul drinks too much.
Enough
Use:
Enough means you have what you need.
We have enough food for everyone = everyone has some food.
We don’t have enough chairs for everyone = some people don’t have chairs.
Form:
Write enough before a noun.
We have enough chairs.
But write it after an adjective or verb.
Are you warm enough? He’s qualified enough. She isn’t tall enough to be
a model.
You don’t work hard enough. Are you sleeping enough?
Sentences with enough are sometimes followed by to + verb infinitive.
I’m not tall enough to reach the book.
I haven’t got enough money to buy that coat.
So
Use:
So means very.
It’s so hot!
Form:
So is generally used before an adjective or an adverb.
He’s so funny! He plays the piano so well!
However, in modern English, it is increasingly being used before nouns and
verbs.
That dress is so last year! (= That dress is last year’s fashion)
I’m so going to shout at him when I see him! (so = really)
So can be used with a that clause, to show a result of the first clause.
I was so hot that I couldn’t sleep.
Such
Use:
Such also means very. Such is used before an adjective and noun.
They are such nice children.
Form:
A / an, if necessary, go after such, not before.
That’s a such pretty dress. => That’s such a pretty dress!
Like So, Such can be used with a that clause, to show a result of the first
clause.
I was such a nice day that we decided to go to the park.
Common mistakes
1) Some students use too with a positive meaning. But use so or very here
It’s too hot! I love the summer! => It’s so hot! I love the summer!
2) Some students write enough in the wrong place.
Do we have sugar enough? => Do we have enough sugar?
3) Some students use so / such…that incorrectly.
It was so hot that the sun was shining.
This sentence is not correct because ‘the sun was shining’ is not a direct
result of ‘It was so hot’. The hot day did not cause the sun to shine.
1. Which sentence uses too incorrectly?
Change your clothes! Those clothes are too dirty.
Jemma is too beautiful. She’s the prettiest girl I know.
Don’t drive too fast. You’ll have an accident.
2. Which sentence is correct?
Do we have tea enough?
Robert doesn’t get enough sleep.
Paul is enough tall to reach the top of the cupboard.
3. Which word goes in the space?
You’ve cooked far too ___ food.
much
enough
many
4. Which word goes in the space?
The film is ___ funny! I watched it three times!
much
so
too
5. Which sentence is NOT correct?
Please don’t put too much sugar in my coffee.
Clara eats too many.
John drinks much too much!
6. What goes in the space?
She’s got ____ nice house!
such
such a
so
7. What is the best way to complete this sentence?
Roger is so rich that…
I bought him a bottle of wine for his birthday.
he works very hard.
he can buy whatever he wants.
Correct. So can be used with a that clause, to show a result of the first
clause
8. Which sentence is correct?
They’ve got a such big garden.
Liam is such a nice young man.
Lucia’s hair is such long.
9. Which phrase completes the sentence?
_______________ that I couldn’t see a thing.
It was dark enough
It was too dark
It was so dark
10. Which word goes in the space?
You must be very proud of Jake. He works ____!
hard enough
too hard
so hard
