too / enough / so / such

Intermediate · Adjectives & Adverbs

These four little words express amount and emphasis, and learners mix them up constantly. "Too" means more than you want (negative). "Enough" means the right amount. "So" and "such" both add emphasis, but they sit in different places.

The main pattern to remember: "so" goes with an adjective alone, while "such" goes with a noun.

How to build it

too + adjective · adjective + enough / enough + noun · so + adjective · such + (adj) + noun

Rules & examples

  1. "too" = more than needed or wanted (a problem).

    It has a negative feeling.

    • It's too hot to go out.
    • This is too expensive.
  2. "enough" = the right amount; goes AFTER adjectives but BEFORE nouns.

    Position depends on what it describes.

    • She is old enough to drive. (after adjective)
    • We have enough money. (before noun)
  3. "so" + adjective/adverb for emphasis.

    Emphasizes a quality on its own.

    • It was so cold!
    • She runs so fast.
  4. "such" + (adjective +) noun for emphasis.

    Emphasizes a noun phrase.

    • It was such a cold day!
    • They are such kind people.

Tips to remember

  • Trick: is there a noun right after? Use "such". Just an adjective? Use "so". "so cold" vs "such a cold day".
  • "too" = problem (too hot to enjoy); "very" = just strong (very hot but fine).

Common mistakes

  • ✗ It was so a good film. → ✓ It was such a good film. — Use "such" before a noun phrase, "so" before an adjective alone.
  • ✗ She is enough old to drive. → ✓ She is old enough to drive. — "Enough" goes after the adjective.