too

too — adverb

1. placed before an adjective or adverb to show that the quality or amount goes bey

1.adverbA1
Definition

placed before an adjective or adverb to show that the quality or amount goes beyond what is needed, welcome, or reasonable

Example

This coffee is too hot to drink right now.

too + adjective + to-infinitive

The suitcase was too heavy for Tunde to lift alone.

too + adjective + for + noun + to-infinitive

Common collocations
  • too hot
  • too cold
  • too expensive
  • too much
  • too many
  • too late
  • too young
  • too old
  • too big
  • too small
Synonyms
  • excessively

    more formal; used in writing rather than speech

  • overly

    common in everyday American English

  • unduly

    formal; often in legal or official contexts

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

too + adjective/adverb

too + much/many + noun

too + adjective + to-infinitive

Common Mistakes

This shirt is very too big for my brother.
This shirt is too big for my brother.
'too' already includes the idea of excess; do NOT add 'very' before it.
The soup is too much salty.
The soup is too salty.
Use 'too + adjective' directly; do not insert 'much' before the adjective.

2. with 'not' preceding it and a describing word following it, this use of 'too' to

2.adverbA2
Definition

with 'not' preceding it and a describing word following it, this use of 'too' tones down the description so the statement sounds milder or less certain than using 'not very' alone

Example

Meera is not too happy about the test results.

not + too + adjective (opinion/emotion)

The weather was not too bad for a winter hike.

Common collocations
  • not too bad
  • not too sure
  • not too happy
  • not too keen
  • not too expensive
  • not too difficult
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • very

    positive alternative expressing full degree

Grammar Patterns

not + too + adjective/adverb

not + too + adjective + to-infinitive

Usage Note

This sense always appears in a negative construction with 'not'. The combination 'not too' gives a milder, more polite tone than 'not very'. For example, 'not too happy' sounds less harsh than 'unhappy' or 'very unhappy'.

Common Mistakes

I am too tired' (when you mean 'not very tired').
I am not too tired
Without 'not', 'too tired' means 'excessively tired' (Sense 1), which is the opposite of what you intend.

3. when paired with the word 'only', placed ahead of a positive adjective to expres

3.adverbB1
Definition

when paired with the word 'only', placed ahead of a positive adjective to express strong willingness, eagerness, or enthusiasm about something

Example

Stephanie would be only too happy to help you with the report.

only + too + happy + to-infinitive

The children were only too eager to open their birthday presents.

only + too + eager + to-infinitive

Common collocations
  • only too happy
  • only too glad
  • only too willing
  • only too eager
Synonyms
  • very

    simpler and more common; 'only too' is more emphatic

  • extremely

    similar strength but less idiomatic in this pattern

Grammar Patterns

only + too + adjective + to-infinitive

only + too + willing/happy/glad + to-infinitive

Usage Note

This sense is nearly always paired with 'only' ('only too') and followed by an adjective expressing a positive feeling such as 'happy', 'glad', 'willing', or 'eager'. Unlike Sense 1, it does NOT carry a negative meaning of excess.

Common Mistakes

I'm only too sad to help you.
I'm only too happy to help you.
'only too' is used with positive adjectives (happy, glad, willing), not negative ones.

4. as well; in addition; used to show that a statement applies to another person, t

4.adverbA1
Definition

as well; in addition; used to show that a statement applies to another person, thing, or situation

Example

Tunde is coming to the party, and his sister is coming too.

end of second clause: 'and...too'

I bought a blue jacket, and I got some matching shoes too.

Common collocations
  • you too
  • me too
  • as well too
  • and...too
Synonyms
  • also

    more flexible position in the sentence (mid-position); slightly more formal

  • as well

    also placed at the end; common in British English

Antonyms
  • neither

    used in negative sentences to express the same idea of addition

Grammar Patterns

[clause], and [subject] [verb] too

[subject] [verb] [object], too

Usage Note

Unlike 'also', which can appear in the middle of a sentence, 'too' in this sense is placed at the very end of the clause. 'Too' is more common in everyday spoken English than 'also'.

Common Mistakes

I too like pizza.
I like pizza too.
'Too' meaning 'also' goes at the end of the clause, not after the subject (unless in very formal writing).

5. used especially in questions or exclamations at the end of a sentence to express

5.adverbB1
Definition

used especially in questions or exclamations at the end of a sentence to express that something is unexpected or surprising

Example

You are coming to the concert too? I thought you were busy.

question expressing surprise

Romi got the promotion too? What wonderful news!

Common collocations
  • too?
  • ...too!
  • you too?
  • him too?
  • that too?
Synonyms
  • as well

    can express surprise too but less common in this use

Grammar Patterns

[subject] [verb] too?

[subject] [verb] [object], too?

Usage Note

This sense is distinguished from Sense 4 (ALSO) by the tone: in Sense 5, 'too' is spoken with a rising intonation and often appears in questions or exclamations. The speaker already knows about one situation and is surprised that it applies to another.

Common Mistakes

❌ 'He is coming too?' (as a flat statement) — Without a surprised tone, this sounds like Sense 4 (ALSO). The rising intonation or question mark is essential for this sense.

6. used in certain fixed expressions to mean 'very' or 'completely', especially whe

6.adverbB1
Definition

used in certain fixed expressions to mean 'very' or 'completely', especially when expressing politeness, regret, or strong emotion

Example

Thank you for the lovely gift — you are too kind!

too + kind (polite expression of gratitude)

It is too bad that William could not join us for dinner.

too bad (expression of regret)

Common collocations
  • too kind
  • too bad
  • too awful
  • too wonderful
  • too impressed
  • too beautiful
Synonyms
  • very

    simpler and more neutral; 'too' adds emotional weight

  • completely

    used with negative statements for emphasis

  • really

    common in everyday speech for intensifying

Grammar Patterns

too + adjective (fixed expressions)

not + too + adjective (completely)

Usage Note

This sense overlaps with Sense 1 in form (too + adjective), but differs in meaning: here 'too' simply intensifies ('very') rather than expressing excess. In many fixed expressions (too kind, too bad), context determines whether it means 'excessively' or 'very'. The 'not too' combination in this sense ('not too impressed') means 'not completely' or 'not particularly'.

Common Mistakes

You are too kind!' (sarcastic tone meaning 'that's excessive') —
You are too kind!' (sincere thanks)
Be careful with tone: with the right intonation and context, 'too kind' can be a sincere compliment, not a complaint about excess.

7. used after an auxiliary verb in a short answer to strongly say yes when someone

7.adverbB1
Definition

used after an auxiliary verb in a short answer to strongly say yes when someone has said no or made a negative statement

Example

You did not enjoy the movie? I did too — it was fantastic!

did + too (past tense contradiction)

She cannot speak Spanish, she can too — she lived in Madrid for years.

can + too (ability contradiction)

Common collocations
  • do too
  • did too
  • can too
  • is too
  • will too
  • have too
Synonyms
  • as well

    used in British English for similar contradictory emphasis

  • indeed

    more formal; softer contradiction

Grammar Patterns

[auxiliary verb] + too (short affirmative response)

[subject] + [auxiliary verb] + too

Usage Note

This sense is primarily American English. In British English, the same idea is often expressed with a stressed auxiliary verb or with 'as well'. The word 'too' receives strong stress: 'I DID too!' The contraction form '...too' is always written as two separate words (not 'to').

Common Mistakes

I too went.' (when contradicting 'You didn't go')
I did too go!' or 'I went too!
The contradictory 'too' follows the auxiliary verb ('did too', 'can too'), not the subject.
Idioms

too much

idiom

more of something than a person can deal with, especially something difficult or annoying

The noise from the construction site was too much for Meera to concentrate.

After working twelve hours straight, all the extra paperwork was just too much.

all too

idiom

used before an adjective to emphasize that something happens more often or to a greater degree than is desirable

Car accidents on that narrow road are all too common during rainy weather.

The end of summer vacation came all too quickly for the children.

too right

idiom

used in British English to strongly agree with a statement, especially one that expresses a strong opinion

This homework is far too difficult. Too right it is! We need more help.

Too right she was upset — they cancelled her flight at the last minute.

be too much (for somebody)

idiom

To be harder or more unpleasant than someone can deal with.

The loud music at the party was too much for Maya.

Is the long hike too much for your grandmother?

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Too' is the most common and neutral way to express excess, suitable for any register from casual conversation to academic writing (e.g., 'The bag is too heavy'). 'Excessively' is a more formal alternative that often implies a value judgment — something goes beyond what is proper or reasonable (e.g., 'The speaker was excessively long-winded'). 'Overly' sits between 'too' and 'excessively' in register; it is common in American English and often pairs with adjectives describing caution or emotion (e.g., 'She was overly worried about the exam'). 'Unduly' is the most formal of the four, frequently appearing in legal, official, or academic contexts to describe a degree that is not justified (e.g., 'The delay caused undue hardship'). In everyday speech, 'too' is almost always the right choice; the others belong to more careful or professional writing.

too ↗excessivelyoverly ↗unduly

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • far too
  • much too
  • a little too
  • a bit too
  • way too
  • rather too

Phrases

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

'Too' comes from the Old English word 'tō', which originally meant 'to, in addition, also' and was identical to the preposition 'to'. Around the 13th century, writers began spelling it 'too' to distinguish the 'excessively' and 'also' meanings from the preposition 'to'. The sense of excess ('too much') developed naturally from the idea of going beyond a point — of adding so much that the total becomes more than needed. The emphatic and surprise uses (Senses 5 and 7) are later developments in Modern English.