too

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparable

   More than is wanted, needed, or acceptable.

   Grammar: Comes before an adjective or adverb: too expensive, too slowly. Not used before a noun alone.

   Patterns

   • too + adjective
   • too + adverb
   • too much + noun
   • too many + plural noun

   This coffee is too hot to drink.

   He drives too fast for this narrow road.

   There were too many people on the bus, so we waited for the next one.

2. 2adverbnot comparable

   Also; in addition.

   Grammar: Usually at the end of a clause, often after a comma: I like it, too. In more formal writing, 'also' is preferred.

   Patterns

   • clause + too
   • too + verb (less common)

   She plays the piano, and she sings too.

   I'd like to come too, if that's all right.

   The museum is free, and the gardens are too.

3. 3adverbnot comparableformal

   Used for emphasis, meaning 'very' or 'extremely'.

   Grammar: Often in polite or formal phrases like 'too kind' or 'too good to be true'.

   Patterns

   • too + adjective

   You're too kind.

   The offer sounded too good to be true.

   I'm not too sure about that.

Common combinations

too much

He spent too much money on holiday.

too many

There are too many cars in the city center.

too late

We got to the station too late and missed the train.

too bad

It's too bad you can't come to the party.

me too

'I love chocolate.' 'Me too!'

Synonyms and how they differ

also

More formal and usually goes before the main verb; 'too' is more conversational and goes at the end.

excessively

Stronger and more formal than 'too'; it means 'to an extreme degree'.

overly

Formal and often used before adjectives; 'too' is more common in everyday speech.

Commonly confused: too or to? too or two?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “too”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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