A1 Grammar

Intensifiers - very basic

Intensifiers - very basic

Grammar: So, such, too, enough

Too

Use:

Too means there is a lot of something. It shows a negative opinion.

It’s too hot = It is very hot and I don’t like it.

Form:

You can use too before an adjective.

It’s too cold. My trousers are too small.

You can also use it before an adverb,

You walk too fast. James speaks too quietly.

Before a noun, use too much (uncountable nouns) or many (countable nouns).

I ate too much food.

I ate too many sandwiches.

You can also use too much after a verb.

I ate too much.

Paul drinks too much.

Enough

Use:

Enough means you have what you need.

We have enough food for everyone = everyone has some food.

We don’t have enough chairs for everyone = some people don’t have chairs.

Form:

Write enough before a noun.

We have enough chairs.

But write it after an adjective or verb.

Are you warm enough? He’s qualified enough. She isn’t tall enough to be a model.

You don’t work hard enough. Are you sleeping enough?

Sentences with enough are sometimes followed by to + verb infinitive.

I’m not tall enough to reach the book.

I haven’t got enough money to buy that coat.

So

Use:

So means very.

It’s so hot!

Form:

So is generally used before an adjective or an adverb.

He’s so funny! He plays the piano so well!

However, in modern English, it is increasingly being used before nouns and verbs.

That dress is so last year! (= That dress is last year’s fashion)

I’m so going to shout at him when I see him! (so = really)

So can be used with a that clause, to show a result of the first clause.

I was so hot that I couldn’t sleep.

Such

Use:

Such also means very. Such is used before an adjective and noun.

They are such nice children.

Form:

A / an, if necessary, go after such, not before.

That’s a such pretty dress. => That’s such a pretty dress!

Like So, Such can be used with a that clause, to show a result of the first clause.

I was such a nice day that we decided to go to the park.

Common mistakes

1) Some students use too with a positive meaning. But use so or very here

It’s too hot! I love the summer! => It’s so hot! I love the summer!

2) Some students write enough in the wrong place.

Do we have sugar enough? => Do we have enough sugar?

3) Some students use so / such…that incorrectly.

It was so hot that the sun was shining.

This sentence is not correct because ‘the sun was shining’ is not a direct result of ‘It was so hot’. The hot day did not cause the sun to shine.