Too Much & Not Enough — Mini Lesson (Level 3)

Grammar Cheatsheet — too much / not enough & too + adjective

TOO = more than needed / more than is good (usually a problem).

too much + uncountable: I drank too much coffee.
too many + countable: There are too many people.
too + adjective: The box is too small. The coat is too big.

NOT ENOUGH = less than needed.

We have not enough time.
The box is not big enough.
The water is not warm enough.

Often, the same idea can be said in two ways:

The box is too small = The box is not big enough.
The music is too loud = The room is not quiet enough.
The water is too cold = The water is not warm enough.

Read the Story — “The Birthday Party Setup”

Luis and Aria were preparing the community room for a small birthday party. When Luis opened the supply box, he said, “Oh no, there are too many balloons! We only need ten.”

Aria laughed. “And these tables are too big. They won’t fit by the wall.” Then she checked the plates. “Hmm… we have not enough plates. Only six!”

Luis found a stack behind the microwave. “Great, but the cake pan is too small. The cake won’t fit.”

Aria pointed to a cooler. “And this water is not cold enough. Let’s add ice.” Luis sighed. “This little room is too warm today.”

Aria smiled. “Or maybe you’re just not patient enough.”

Multiple Choice — understanding the story

1) What was the problem with the balloons?

2) What was the problem with the plates?

3) What did they need to do to the water?

True or False

1) “Too big” and “not small enough” can describe the same problem.
2) “Not enough” means more than needed.
3) “Too much” is used with countable nouns like “chairs.”
4) “Too + adjective” usually means a problem.

Fill-In Dialogue — choose the best phrase

1) Aria: Can you lift this box?
Luis:

2) Aria: Do we have enough juice?
Luis:

3) Aria: Why are there so many cookies?
Luis:

4) Aria: This bowl doesn’t fit the salad.
Luis:

Dialogue — Too / Not Enough in conversation

Aria: Luis, we have a problem.

Luis: Just one? Tell me.

Aria: This table is too heavy.

Luis: And that one is not strong enough for the food.

Aria: Also, there are too many chairs in this corner.

Luis: And not enough near the stage.

Aria: This extension cord is too short.

Luis: So the speaker is not close enough to the outlet.

Aria: The banner is too long for this wall.

Luis: Then the wall is not wide enough.

Aria: We should’ve come earlier.

Luis: Or maybe we’re just too tired!

Practice — too / not enough

1) The soup is ______ hot.

2) The room isn’t bright ______.

3) There is ______ noise in this hallway.

4) We have ______ chairs for everyone.

5) This pan is ______ deep for the recipe.

6) His backpack is ______ heavy.