Intensifiers So Such Too Enough

Intensifiers are modifiers that function to give force or emphasize emotional context to the word used with them. Some of the most common intensifiers are:

so, such, too, enough

Intensifier So

• The intensifier so functions like “very”.

This car is so old.

I am so scared.

They are so sweet.

Forms of Intensifier So

• Use so before an adjective or an adverb.

Madrid is so crowded!

He finished the exam so quickly!

It’s so amazing.

• Place the intensifier so before nouns and verbs.

That is so Spanish of you.

It is so Catholic of them to believe this.

• Lastly, it can also be used with a that-clause.

He was so impatient that he left without me.

They were so in a hurry that they didn’t say goodbye.

It was so touching that I cried.

Intensifier Such

• Like so, the intensifier such also means very. Use it before an adjective and noun.

They are such good people.

You have been such a sport.

She is such a sweetheart.

Forms of Intensifier Such

• Use a / an after such, not before it.

It was such a lovely afternoon.

They are such a generous couple.

She is in such a hurry.

• Such is also used with a that-clause.

It was such a warm night that we decided to sleep outside the house.

The project was such a failure that it was discontinued.

He spoke with such conviction that everyone believed him.

Intensifier Too

• Use the intensifier too to show a negative opinion or mean ‘a lot of something’.

It’s too windy outside.

I am too scared.

The restaurant is too full of people.

Forms of Intensifier Too

• Put the intensifier too before an adjective that expresses a negative meaning.

My vacation is too short.

This place is too noisy.

Kevin’s bag is too heavy.

• It is also found before an adverb.

The teacher speaks too fast.

My friend reacted to the news too loudly.

She is walking too slowly.

• The intensifier too is also placed before a noun.

I had too much alcohol.

She ate too many cookies.

You ask too many questions.

• Finally, put too after a verb.

I eat too much.

He arrived too early.

She talks too fast.

Intensifier Enough

• Use the intensifier enough if you mean ‘having what is needed‘.

We have enough supplies to last winter.

We don’t have enough men to patrol the place.

Forms of Intensifier Enough

• The intensifier enough is placed before a noun.

We have enough food for the party.

Mark had enough money.

Did you get enough sleep?

• Place enough after an adjective or verb.

Are the children comfortable enough?  

It is never good enough.

Is she practicing enough?

• Follow the intensifier enough with a to-infinitive.

Robin is not good enough to win the contest.

We haven’t got enough to accuse him of this crime.

Intensifiers So Such Too Enough Exercise

Answer this exercise on Intensifiers So Such Too Enough.

1. She brought far ___ clothes.

a. too much

b. so many

c. too many

2. Carrie is ____ pretty. She’s the cutest baby.

a. too

b. very

c. such

3. Don’t wear those shoes. They’re ____ dirty.

a. too

b. very

c. enough

4. Do we have _____?

a. money enough

b. enough money

c. too money

5. It’s ______ cold! I love the winter!

a. too

b. so

c. enough

6. Everyone in their group ______.

a. drinks too much

b.  too much drinks

c. enough drinks

7. She’s _____. Everyone loves her.

a. so charming

b. charming enough

c. too charming

8. Peter is ______ to go on a rollercoaster. 

a. enough tall

b. tall enough

c. too tall

9. The soup was _____ hot that I couldn’t eat it right away.

a. so 

b. such

c. enough

10. Allan doesn’t get ______.

a. sleep enough

b. enough sleep

c. too sleep

Find the answers to this exercise here.

See also: Adjectives and Adverbs and Mitigators

For additional information on this topic, check out this BBC Learning English Lesson.

For other English grammar lessons, go to this page.