A large suitcase may be useful, but one that is too wide will not fit its locker. Here, too compares a quality or quantity with what the situation allows or needs.

The idea

Use too + adjective/adverb: too wide; too softly. Use too much + uncountable noun and too many + plural countable noun: too much glue; too many towels. A to-infinitive can explain the obstacle: too icy to walk on.

Examples

  • The suitcase is too wide for this locker.
  • You are speaking too softly for me to hear.
  • There is too much glue on the paper.
  • We packed too many towels.
  • The path is too icy to walk on.
  • I spent too much time choosing a notebook.

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Watch out

Very wide only means a high degree; too wide means beyond a suitable limit. Do not put too much before an adjective. For stronger emphasis, the order is much too wide, not too much wide.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. There is too ___ glue on the paper. (much / many)

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    much

    much goes with uncountable glue. The amount exceeds what the paper needs.

  2. Choose the correct option. We packed too ___ towels. (many / much)

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    many

    many goes with plural countable towels. You packed a greater number than was suitable.

  3. Choose the correct option. The suitcase is ___ wide for this locker. (too / too much)

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    too

    too directly modifies the adjective wide. Too much would require a quantity noun, not this adjective.

Use it today

Describe a packing problem involving a suitcase, towels and time. Explain what exceeds your needs, then suggest a smaller quantity or a more suitable size.