too

Everyday

1. Too means also, as well: I want to come too. tree →
2. Too means more than is wanted or more than is good: too hot, too many. tree →
3. «Too ... to» means so much that something cannot happen: too heavy to lift. tree →
4. «Not too» means not very: not too bad. tree →
5. (casual) «Me too» and «same» agree; «too right» (Australia, NZ, UK) means yes, I agree completely. tree →
6. (casual) «Too much» can mean very funny or hard to believe: «that's too much!»; «too cool» means very cool. tree →
7. (rough, sarcastic) «Too bad» or «tough» means I don't care that you are upset: «Too bad, they're mine.» tree →
8. (formal) «Likewise», «additionally», «excessively» and «in excess of what is required» are stiff words for too. tree →

In the lessons

Maths: «too» as «also» means the same amount again, so add the groups; «too many» hints at a surplus, found by subtracting; «too few» hints at a shortage. Everyday: me too, too bad, too late. Safety: too close to the road, too deep to swim, too hot to touch. In casual talk: «me too», «too right», «way too much». In the exam voice: «likewise», «an excess of 4 chairs». Phrases: «too bad», «too late», «all too», «only too happy», «one too many».

Examples

• Ben has 5 apples, and Sam has 5 too. tree →
• The box is too heavy to lift. tree →
• She bought too many eggs. tree →
• Ann went to the park too. tree →
• The water is too deep for little children. tree →
• It's too late to go out now. tree →
• «I love pizza!» «Me too!» tree →
• There are too many chairs and not enough tables. tree →
• 3 slices each?? way too much lol (casual) tree →
• «Pizza tonight?» «Too right!» (casual, Australia) tree →
• Too bad, loser, I got there first. (rough) tree →
• Sam likewise possesses 5 apples; determine the aggregate held by both boys. (formal exam) tree →

Note

Trap: «too», «to» and «two» sound the same: too (also / more than enough), to (towards), two (2). «Too» as «also» means the same amount again, so add the groups. «Too many» hints at a surplus, found by subtracting: surplus = have − need. «Too few» hints at a shortage: need − have. «Not too bad» means quite good. «Too bad» (rough) is often unkind. Formal «likewise» = too, also; «an excess of» = too many by.

In Jewish tradition

Maths: «too» as «also» means the same amount again, so add the groups; «too many» hints at a surplus, found by subtracting; «too few» hints at a shortage. Everyday: me too, too bad, too late. Safety: too close to the road, too deep to swim, too hot to touch. In casual talk: «me too», «too right», «way too much». In the exam voice: «likewise», «an excess of 4 chairs». Phrases: «too bad», «too late», «all too», «only too happy», «one too many».

Examples

• Is any thing too hard for the LORD. (Torah GEN.18.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• Your words have been all too strong against Me, saith the LORD. (Prophets MAL.3.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• And He increased His people greatly, and made them too mighty for their adversaries. (Writings PSA.105.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; too high, I cannot attain unto it. (Writings PSA.139.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Trap: «too», «to» and «two» sound the same: too (also / more than enough), to (towards), two (2). «Too» as «also» means the same amount again, so add the groups. «Too many» hints at a surplus, found by subtracting: surplus = have − need. «Too few» hints at a shortage: need − have. «Not too bad» means quite good. «Too bad» (rough) is often unkind. Formal «likewise» = too, also; «an excess of» = too many by.