Too, very, enough

Hello. Welcome to 6 Minute Grammar with me, Catherine.

And me, Rob. Hello.

Today’s programme is all about describing things.

That’s right. We’re going to explain how to use the words too and very with adjectives to describe things.

We are, and we’ll show you how to use the word enough with adjectives and nouns.

we’ll explain the difference between too much and too many.

And we’ll finish with a quiz - so listen carefully.

And to help us with all our example sentences today we’re bringing you this episode of 6 Minute Grammar from a clothes shop.

Yes, we’re clothes shopping!

yeah, well, Catherine’s clothes shopping.

I’m going to a party. Rob, look, this blue dress - I love it - do you?

It’s not really my colour.

Rob You’re not going to wear it Rob. Actually. it’s too big. Oooh - this one’s nice - what do you think Rob?

yeah but It’s a bit short isn’t it.

Mmmm. It’s too small.

Too big. too small. Catherine used the word too here with the adjectives big and small to say that that the dress is not right - it’s bigger or smaller than she wants or needs.

Right! Rob! Found one - red one, look. What do you think?

actually, I do like the colour. It suits you.

It is lovely but. it’s very expensive!

Yes, £150. I see what you mean. So, we use very with an adjective to make it stronger. The red dress is not just expensive - it’s very expensive .

Very, very expensive. But look! Green one, look at this green one, it’s cheaper - and it looks big enough. What do you think, Rob? is this the one?

It does suit you and it’s cheaper. Let’s take it before you change your mind. Do you have enough money?

Do I have enough money, Rob?! Are you serious? Yes, of course.

Let’s see your purse then. So, the word enough with an adjective describes the right amount of something. So, the green dress is big enough - and long enough. so We’ve found it! We’ve got the dress! Hooray!

Rob. sorry Rob. Actually, I don’t have enough cash on me. and I’ve left my credit card in the office. I don’t suppose. would you mind.?

What are you saying? Okay okay. How much is it? so we can also use enough before a noun to say that we have the right amount of something: so we can ask: Do you have enough money? and we can also use enough in the negative to say we have less of something than we need. Catherine doesn’t have enough cash.

Thank you Rob. You’re very generous.

OK, time for a recap. We use too before an adjective:

The blue dress is too small.

Very goes before an adjective.

The red dress is very expensive.

Enough goes after an adjective.

This dress is big enough.

And enough goes before a noun.

I don’t have enough money.

Let’s go. I’ve done enough shopping for one day.

OK, come on.

6 Minute Grammar, from BBC Learning English.com

Phew. We’re back in the studio. It’s just like magic isn’t it! And Catherine, you got the dress so, how was the party?

the party was great. it was really good. except, I ate too much food and.

yes?

there were too many people wearing my dress!

Oh, dear. what so one dress. yeah. no green one but yeah. ok. that’s a pity. So this is too with much and many to talk about an amount or number of something that’s more or less than we want or need.

Yes, so I ate more food than I needed.

and it’s a pity there were too many green dresses. So, for plural countable nouns like dresses , we use too many - too many dresses, too many people.

Yes, and for uncountable nouns like food and money, we use too much.

and Catherine ate too much food .

and the red dress cost too much money .

It did, luckily. Now, be careful not to use very with strong adjectives. You cannot say the party was very fantastic.

no, Instead, say: the party was absolutely fantastic!

But not for you! And now, it’s time for a quiz! Fill the gaps. Number one. I can’t hear you - there’s too [beep] noise.

And the answer is: I can’t hear you - there’s too much noise.

Good. Number two. Hiro is only 13. He’s not old [beep] to drive yet.

Hiro is only 13. He’s not old enough to drive yet.

And Number three. Those shoes don’t fit me. They are [beep] small.

Those shoes don’t fit me. They are too small.

So, no more parties, then?

Well actually Rob, there’s one coming up this weekend and. I saw a lovely pair of blue shoes, they’re not too expensive. so u thought.

You’ve got time to go and get your credit card for this one - I’m not paying! ok, There’s more about this on our website at bbclearningenglish.com.

Join us again for more 6 Minute Grammar soon.

Bye. Bye.