QuickenBrain

Too vs. very

Describing wordsRule 3 of 3

The rule

"Very" makes an adjective stronger and stays neutral: "very tall". "Too" means more than is good or possible, and signals a problem: "too tall to fit through the door". In a compliment, use "very"; apart from a few set phrases like "you're too kind", "too" reads as a complaint.

Wrong and right

  1. Wrong The box was very heavy to carry alone.

    Right The box was too heavy to carry alone.

  2. Wrong I love this city. It's too beautiful.

    Right I love this city. It's very beautiful.

  3. Wrong She was very tired to drive, so she took a taxi.

    Right She was too tired to drive, so she took a taxi.

  4. Wrong My new laptop is too fast. I'm happy with it.

    Right My new laptop is very fast. I'm happy with it.

  5. Wrong The soup was very hot to eat right away.

    Right The soup was too hot to eat right away.