too

too — adverb

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

1.副詞A1
釋義

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

例句

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

同義詞
  • excessively

    more formal; used in writing rather than speech

  • overly

    common in everyday American English

  • unduly

    formal; often in legal or official contexts

反義詞

文法句型

too + adjective/adverb

too + much/many + noun

too + adjective + to-infinitive

常見錯誤

❌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.副詞A2
釋義

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

例句

Meera is not too happy about the test results.

not + too + adjective (opinion/emotion)

The weather was not too bad for a winter hike.

同義詞
反義詞
  • very

    positive alternative expressing full degree

文法句型

not + too + adjective/adverb

not + too + adjective + to-infinitive

用法筆記

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'.

常見錯誤

❌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.副詞B1
釋義

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

例句

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

同義詞
  • very

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

  • extremely

    similar strength but less idiomatic in this pattern

文法句型

only + too + adjective + to-infinitive

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

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.副詞A1
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • also

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

  • as well

    also placed at the end; common in British English

反義詞
  • neither

    used in negative sentences to express the same idea of addition

文法句型

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

[subject] [verb] [object], too

用法筆記

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'.

常見錯誤

❌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.副詞B1
釋義

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

例句

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

question expressing surprise

Romi got the promotion too? What wonderful news!

同義詞
  • as well

    can express surprise too but less common in this use

文法句型

[subject] [verb] too?

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

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌ '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.副詞B1
釋義

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

例句

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)

同義詞
  • very

    simpler and more neutral; 'too' adds emotional weight

  • completely

    used with negative statements for emphasis

  • really

    common in everyday speech for intensifying

文法句型

too + adjective (fixed expressions)

not + too + adjective (completely)

用法筆記

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'.

常見錯誤

❌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.副詞B1
釋義

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

例句

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)

同義詞
  • as well

    used in British English for similar contradictory emphasis

  • indeed

    more formal; softer contradiction

文法句型

[auxiliary verb] + too (short affirmative response)

[subject] + [auxiliary verb] + too

用法筆記

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').

常見錯誤

❌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.