Too / Not Enough with Adjectives — Mini Lesson (Level 3)

Grammar Cheatsheet — too + adjective & not adjective enough

too + adjective = more than is good (a problem)

He is too late, his flight has already departed.
The tickets are too expensive, we won't be able to attend the concert.
The pizza is too hot to eat.
The box is too heavy, if you try to lift it you will hurt your back.
The game is too dangerous, if you participate you may break a bone.

not + adjective + enough = less than needed

We are not early enough.
The chair is not tall enough.
The wall is not high enough.
The bag is not light enough to carry easily.
He is not old enough to drive.

Often, you can say the same idea in two ways:

The box is too heavy = It is not light enough.
The fence is too high = It is not low enough to jump.
The bus is too late = It is not early enough for work.
The street is too dangerous = It is not safe enough.
The shoes are too expensive = They are not cheap enough.

Adjectives in this lesson: late, early, expensive, tall, short, heavy, high, young, old, dangerous.

Read the Story — “The New Playground”

A new playground opened near Luis and Aria’s building. On Saturday morning, they walked there with Aria’s younger cousin, Nico. They arrived at 11:15. “We’re too late for the free snacks,” Luis said. “We were not early enough.”

Nico wanted to climb a tall wall. Aria shook her head. “That wall is too high for you to climb."

As they walked, they found a long ladder. Luis tried to move it and said, “Wow, this ladder is too heavy. It’s not light enough for me alone.” The three of them picked it up together.

At the snack table, Nico pointed at a big smoothie. “Can I buy that one?” Aria checked the price. “No, that drink is too expensive for today. It’s not cheap enough for our budget. We really can't afford it.”

When they left, they saw a broken sidewalk near a busy street. A worker said, “Don’t walk there. It’s too dangerous right now.” Luis nodded. “Let’s cross the street.”

When they got home their mother put some food on the table. Luis cautioned, "That soup is almost boiling! It's too hot to eat.” Nico frowned. “So it's not cool enough yet?”

Multiple Choice — understanding the story

1) Why did they miss the free snacks?

2) Why couldn’t Nico climb the tall wall?

3) What was the problem with the smoothie?

4) Why was the worker blocking the broken sidewalk?

True or False

1) “Too late” and “not early enough” can describe the same situation.
2) “Too expensive” means the price is very good for you.
3) “Not old enough” often describes age limits, like driving or going on a ride.
4) “Too dangerous” and “not safe enough” are very close in meaning.

Fill-In Dialogue — choose the best phrase

1) Nico: Did we come in time for the snacks?
Luis:

2) Nico: Can I climb that very tall wall?
Aria:

3) Nico: Why can’t I get this big smoothie?
Aria:

4) Luis: Look at that broken sidewalk near the street.
Aria:

Dialogue — Using late, early, expensive, tall, heavy, high, young, old, dangerous

Aria: We’re always too late for the good seats.

Luis: Then tomorrow we must be early enough.

Aria: That building is too high for me. I don’t like high places.

Luis: I’m not brave enough for the top floor either.

Aria: This suitcase is too heavy. It’s not light enough to carry up the stairs.

Luis: We’re not strong enough. We need help.

Aria: Those shoes are nice, but they’re too expensive.

Luis: Yes, they’re not cheap enough for my wallet.

Aria: My cousin is too young for horror movies.

Luis: My uncle says he is too old for roller coasters.

Aria: And this street at night is too dangerous.

Luis: Right. It’s not safe enough. Let’s walk the long way.

Practice — too / not enough with adjectives

1) The movie starts at 7:00. We arrive at 7:20.

2) The meeting starts at 8:00. We arrive at 7:30.

3) The backpack hurts my shoulders.

4) The kid wants to drive a car, but he is 13.

5) That apartment is beautiful, but the rent is very high.

6) This fence is low. The dog can jump over it easily.