Learning English

So far, so good

In this session we're looking at four little words… four little words which mean so much! They're very common in English but also quite easy to get wrong. So let's take a closer look at the intensifiers so, such, enough and too. One thing that can be confusing is the form. How do we use these words with nouns, verbs and adjectives? What about countable and uncountable nouns. Let's take a look at the main points – then do an exercise to test your knowledge!

Read the text and complete the activity

Form

1a) So - degree

For degree, it's so + adjective:

• I love watching Mr Bean. He's so funny!

Or so + adverb:

• He plays the piano so well!

1b) So – amount

For amount, it's so + much/many + noun to say we have a lot of something. Use so much with uncountable nouns and so many with countable nouns.

• What a great party! We had so much fun! (fun = uncountable)
• We visited so many places. (place = countable)

You can also use so much after a verb.

• I like his music so much.

2) Such

We use such before adjectives and nouns. If the noun is countable and singular, you need to put 'a' or 'an' after such.

• That's such a cute dog! (dog = countable)
• We had such nice weather on holiday! (weather = uncountable)

3) Too

To indicate degree, it's too + adjective:

• This restaurant's too crowded. Let's go somewhere else.

Or too + adverb:

• You're walking too fast! Slow down!

To talk about an amount or number of something which is more than what we want or need, it's too much or too many + noun. Use too much before uncountable nouns and too many before countable nouns.

• Ugh! You've put too much sugar in my tea! (sugar = uncountable)
• I ate too many biscuits. (biscuit = countable)

You can also use too much on its own after a verb.

• Sarah drinks too much.

4) Enough

We use enough to express that something is or isn't the right degree or amount. We put it after an adjective or verb.

It's adjective + enough in positive sentences and questions or not + adjective + enough in negative sentences.

• Is it warm enough for you in here?
• He doesn't sleep enough. That's why he's always tired.

We put enough before a noun.

It's enough + noun in positive sentences and questions or not + enough + noun in negative sentences.

• Do we have enough money to go abroad this year?
• There aren't enough knives and forks for all the guests.

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

• She's definitely smart enough to become director.
• There aren't enough players to make a team.

To do

Now you've read how to use these – try this exercise to test your knowledge! Think about which is the best:

Next

How was that? Have you had enough? Or did you enjoy it so much that you want more? So much that you want more? Well, that's just one of the kinds of phrases that we look at in the next activity.