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TOO vs. ENOUGH vs. VERY: Useful Difference between Very, Too and Enough

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When it comes to expressing ourselves in English, we often use words like “too,” “enough,” and “very” to emphasize our thoughts and feelings. These words help us communicate our ideas more effectively, but they can also be a source of confusion for English learners. In this article, we will explore the different ways we use these words and how to use them correctly.

Too vs. Enough vs. Very

Definition of Too

When we use “too” in a sentence, it means that something is excessive or beyond an acceptable limit. For example, “The coffee is too hot to drink.” In this sentence, “too” indicates that the temperature of the coffee is beyond what we can tolerate.

Definition of Enough

On the other hand, “enough” means that there is an adequate amount or sufficient quantity of something. For instance, “I have enough money to buy a new phone.” In this sentence, “enough” indicates that the amount of money is sufficient to purchase a new phone.

Definition of Very

“Very” is an intensifier that we use to emphasize the degree or extent of something. For example, “The movie was very entertaining.” In this sentence, “very” emphasizes the level of entertainment that the movie provided.

Overall, understanding the differences between “too,” “enough,” and “very” is essential in improving our communication skills. Knowing when to use each of these words correctly can help us convey our message more effectively.

When to Use VERY

  • Use very before adjectives, adverbs or -ing words.
  • Very is neutral – it is not positive or negative. It makes the word that comes after it stronger.

Examples: 

  • “Wayne is a very funny man.”
  • “I had a very busy day at work.”
  • “The exam is very difficult, but Jim can complete it.”

When to Use TOO

  • Too is used before adjectives and adverbs.
  • Too is negative; we use it too mean there is more or less than we need/want.
  • Too can be used with infinitive + to after the adjective/ adverb.Use for + someone/something to explain who/what we mean.

Examples:

  • “It’s too noisy in here. Let’s go outside.” (too + adjective)
  • “My soup is too hot to drink.” (too + adjective + to + infinitive)
  • “This is too difficult for me to understand.” (too + adjective + for someone/something)

When to Use ENOUGH

  • Use enough before a noun but after an adjective or adverb.
  • We can use for someone/something and an infinitive with enough and to.
  • Enough is positive – it means that we have as much as we want.

Examples:

  • “I have enough money to pay.”
  • “There’s enough food for everyone to eat.” (enough + noun + for + someone/something + to)

Too vs Enough vs Very: What’s the Difference?

Using ‘Too’ Correctly

When using ‘too’, it is important to remember that it means ‘more than what is needed or wanted’. Here are some practical applications:

  • If you say “This soup is too hot”, it means that it is hotter than you would like it to be.
  • If you say “I ate too much pizza”, it means that you ate more pizza than you needed or wanted.

Using ‘Enough’ Correctly

‘Enough’ means ‘as much as is needed or wanted’. Here are some practical applications:

  • If you say “I have enough money to buy a new phone”, it means that you have the right amount of money to buy the phone you want.
  • If you say “This shirt is big enough for me”, it means that the shirt fits you properly.

Using ‘Very’ Correctly

‘Very’ means ‘to a high degree’. Here are some practical applications:

  • If you say “This coffee is very hot”, it means that the coffee is hotter than usual.
  • If you say “I am very happy”, it means that you are extremely happy.

Remember that ‘very’ is used to emphasize a particular quality or characteristic of something.

Overall, it is important to use these words correctly in order to convey your message accurately.

Too vs Enough vs Very

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistakes with ‘Too’

One common mistake when using ‘too’ is to confuse it with ‘very’. While both words are used to emphasize a point, ‘too’ implies excess or going beyond what is desirable or necessary. For example, “The soup is too hot to eat” implies that the soup is so hot that it is not enjoyable to eat. On the other hand, “The soup is very hot” simply implies that the soup is hot.

Another mistake is to use ‘too’ without a following adjective or adverb. ‘Too’ must always be followed by an adjective or adverb to make sense. For example, “The soup is too” is incorrect, but “The soup is too salty” is correct.

Mistakes with ‘Enough’

One common mistake with ‘enough’ is to use it incorrectly with negative statements. For example, “I don’t have enough money” is correct, but “I have enough money” is incorrect. The correct statement would be “I have sufficient money”.

Another mistake is to use ‘enough’ without a following noun or pronoun. ‘Enough’ must always be followed by a noun or pronoun to make sense. For example, “I have enough” is incorrect, but “I have enough money” is correct.

Mistakes with ‘Very’

One common mistake with ‘very’ is to use it excessively. Overusing ‘very’ can make writing sound repetitive and uninteresting. Instead, try to use more descriptive words to convey the same meaning. For example, instead of saying “The cake is very good”, say “The cake is delicious”.

Another mistake is to use ‘very’ with absolute adjectives such as ‘perfect’ or ‘unique’. These adjectives do not have degrees of comparison, so adding ‘very’ to them is incorrect. For example, “The cake is very perfect” is incorrect, but “The cake is perfect” is correct.

Common Mistakes How to Avoid Them
Confusing ‘too’ with ‘very’ Use ‘too’ to imply excess or going beyond what is desirable or necessary
Using ‘enough’ incorrectly with negative statements Use ‘sufficient’ instead
Using ‘very’ excessively Use more descriptive words
Using ‘very’ with absolute adjectives Avoid using ‘very’ with absolute adjectives

Difference between Too and Enough | Picture

TOO and ENOUGH in English Grammar

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