as…as, too, enough

Equal comparisons and degrees of excess.

The rules

  • Equal (or unequal) comparison: "(not) as good as".
  • "Too" + adjective = more than acceptable: "too hot to drink".
  • "Enough" comes AFTER adjectives: "old enough".
  • "Enough" comes BEFORE nouns: "enough chairs" (but after adjectives: "big enough").
  • Equality: "as + adjective + as".
  • "Too" always implies a problem; "very" is just intensity.
  • Multiples use "as many/much as": "twice as many people as".

Examples

  • The sequel is not as good as the original.
  • This coffee is too hot to drink.
  • He isn't old enough to vote yet.
  • We don't have enough chairs.
  • She's as tall as her brother.
  • The box is so heavy that it causes a problem.
  • Twice as many people came as we expected.

Quick check

Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.

1.The sequel is not _____ good _____ the original.

2.This coffee is _____ hot to drink.

3.He isn't old _____ to vote yet.

4.Which sentence is correct?

5."The box is too heavy" means…

More in Comparisons