Grammar · Adverbs & Word Order
Too & Enough
Is it “too big” or “big enough”? Learn where these two small words go, with the film Moana.
Grammar › Adverbs & Word Order › Too & Enough
The rule in one sentencePut too before an adjective when there is more than you want, and put enough after an adjective when there is the right amount.
About the film
Moana is a Disney animated film from 2016. Moana is the daughter of the chief on the island of Motunui, and she loves the ocean. Her father thinks the sea past the reef is too dangerous, but Moana believes she is brave enough to sail across it.
What does it do?
Both words talk about amount. Too means “more than is good”, so it usually points to a problem. Enough means “the amount you need”, so the plan can work.
The big difference is the place in the sentence. Too comes before the adjective: too big. Enough comes after the adjective: big enough.
Look at the tiles. In the first and third, too sits in front of the adjective and shows a problem. In the second, enough follows the adjective. In the fourth, it comes before a noun.
Notice the last two rows. With a noun, enough moves to the front. And too needs a helper: too much with things you cannot count, too many with things you can count.
Her father thinks the ocean is too wild. Moana thinks she is clever enough to find a way.
Too shows a problem. Enough shows that something is possible.
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
How to make it
too — more than you want
The reef is too dangerous to cross.
The boat isn’t too heavy for Moana.
Not too heavy = it is fine, she can move it.Is the sea too rough today?
Too stays in front of the adjective in questions too.enough — the right amount
Moana is brave enough to try.
The little boat isn’t strong enough for a storm.
Not enough = there is a problem.Do they have enough food for the trip?
Before a noun, enough comes first.When to use each one
too — a problem
enough — it works
Words that help: too or enough?
These patterns come with one word or the other again and again.
too → often used with
enough → often used with
Common mistakes
❌ Moana is enough brave to sail alone.
✅ Moana is brave enough to sail alone.
Enough goes after the adjective, not before it.
❌ The reef is dangerous too for a small boat.
✅ The reef is too dangerous for a small boat.
Too goes before the adjective, never after it.
❌ The island doesn’t have fish enough.
✅ The island doesn’t have enough fish.
With a noun, enough comes first.
❌ The sea is very rough to sail on today.
✅ The sea is too rough to sail on today.
Very only makes a word stronger. Too tells us there is a problem.
One more thing
This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.
You can add a person with for. Put for + person before to + verb to say who has the problem.
✅ The sea is too wild for the villagers to fish in.
✅ Is the boat big enough for Moana to sleep in?
Practice: choose the right word
Eight questions. Choose one answer. You get the answer, and why.
1. Her father thinks the ocean is ___ dangerous.
A problem, before the adjective → too.
2. Is Moana brave ___ to leave the island?
After the adjective, the right amount → enough.
3. The village doesn’t have ___ to eat.
Before a noun → enough food.
4. The waves are ___ for the little boat.
Too goes before the adjective → too big.
5. Moana is ___ to make her own choices.
Enough goes after the adjective → old enough.
6. There are ___ rocks near the reef.
Rocks can be counted → too many.
7. The wind isn’t strong ___ to move the boat.
Not + adjective + enough = a problem.
8. This tea is ___ hot to drink.
It is a problem, so we need too.
Your turn
Choose one ending. Then listen to your sentence.
Every sentence here is correct. Pick the one that is true for you. Say it out loud too!
Keep going
More lessons
New grammar lessons land every week — subscribe to the newsletter at the bottom of this page so you never miss one ↘
Practise listening at your level
Hear this grammar used for real — Intermediate English listening practice. Full movie reviews in slow, clear English, levelled for Intermediate learners. One new episode every week, free, with a transcript. IntermediateFree playlistWatch on YouTube