Very, too and enough

Common Errors: Very, too and enough

Common errors exams students make when using very, too and enough:

 She was too pleased when she passed her exams.

 She was very pleased when she passed her exams.

 Have you seen this film? It’s very amazing!

 Have you seen this film? It’s amazing!

 You are right, I am very convinced!

 You are right, I am convinced!

When do I use very, too and enough?

1. We use very when we want to emphasise that something is more than usual.

It’s very cold. I’ll wait inside!

It’s very expensive. I can’t afford it.

He’s studying very hard. Perhaps he’s got an exam soon. 

We can use not + very when we want to emphasise that something is less than usual.

It’s not very cold. I’ll wait outside.

It’s not very expensive. I’ll buy two!

He’s not studying very hard. He’s only doing one hour a day.

We do NOT usually use very with adjectives that have a strong meaning as they are already emphatic.

It’s fantastic! (Not: It’s very fantastic!)

It’s awful. (Not: It’s very awful.) 

2. We use too to show that something is more than we want or need and is not acceptable.

It’s too cold outside. I’ll wait in the house.

It’s too expensive. I can’t afford it.

You study too much. You should take some time to relax.

We use not + too to show that something is a lot but is still acceptable.

It’s not too cold, I’ll wait outside.   

It’s not too expensive. I can still afford it.

3. We use enough to say that something is as much as we want or need.

Don’t light the fire I’m warm enough.

I’m a good swimmer. I’m good enough to be a professional.

You swim well enough to be a professional. 

We can use not + enough to say that something is not as much as we want or need.

Can you light the fire? I’m not warm enough.

I’m a good swimmer but I’m not good enough to be a professional.

You’re not studying hard enough. You need to do at least 2 hours a day.

More Common Errors