So Such Too Enough | Learn English

So, Such, Too, Enough. Let’s review these four common words in English: how to use them and where to use them.

USE

Use refers to the meaning of the words: how we USE the words in a sentence.

‘So’ and ‘such’ both mean very, but we use them with different structures.
- I am so tired.
- She is such a talkative girl.

‘Too’ means that there is more then needed or wanted of something.
- His office is too clean. It makes me uncomfortable.

‘Enough’ means that you have what is needed or wanted.
- I don’t have enough time to stay. I have a meeting.

Form refers to where we place the word in the sentence.

Use ‘so’ before an adjective without a noun
- This restaurant is so expensive. (notice there is no noun after the adjective expensive)
If we say: It is an expensive restaurant, I cannot use ‘so’ because the adjective ‘expensive’ is followed by the noun ‘restaurant’.

‘So’ can also be used before an adverb.
- They have called the meeting so urgently. (notice there is no noun after the adverb urgently)

‘Such’ is used before an adjective + noun
It gives emphasis to the adjective and noun
- That was such a fun night.
- We had such a great time.

Use ‘too’ before an adjective without a noun
- That house is too big. (notice there is no noun after the adjective ‘big’)
If the sentence was ‘That is a big house’ we would not be able to use ‘too’ because the noun ‘house’ follows the adjective ‘big’.

‘Too’ can also be used before an adverb
- She’s driving way too quickly. (notice there is no noun after the adverb ‘quickly’

Use enough before a noun
- Do you have enough time to go to the store?
- We had enough food for 20 people.

‘Enough’ can also be used after a verb
- It rained enough for a month.
- I haven’t worked out enough this week.

Use enough after an adjective
- He’s not friendly enough to work here.
- They are smart enough to figure it out.

There are three common mistakes to take into consideration

Make sure you have the right meaning (use)
- It was ~~too~~ fun! (If I say something is too fun, I was more than needed, so O am saying something negative.
- It was so fun! (This means that I had a great time)
Check that you have used the right form
- It was so a beautiful day. (We can’t use ‘so’ before a adjective + noun)
- It was such a beautiful day.
Be sure to use the right placement (form)
- I have time ~~enough~~ (enough must go before the noun)
- I have enough time.

Now that you have seen the post on So, Such, Too, Enough, take a look at our other Grammar Hammer Posts:
Grammar Hammer: Active vs passive tense
Grammar Hammer: Present Perfect