Language Research

too · adverb

/tuː/Full view

too small/hard/much, etc.

A1 used before adjectives and adverbs to mean "more than is allowed, necessary, possible, etc."

Dictionary examples:

Do you think this jacket is too big for me?

There are too many cars on the road these days.

We enjoyed the movie but it was much too long.

There were far too many people for such a small room.

Learner example:

Thank you for your invitation, actually I'm too busy this weekend. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Bengali)

too

A1 also

Dictionary examples:

Do you know Jason too?

I'll probably go there next year too.

I'd like to come too.

"I love chocolate." "Me too."

Learner example:

Do you like it, too? (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; German)

not too

A2 used before adjectives and adverbs to mean "not very"

Dictionary examples:

"How was your exam?" "Not too bad, I suppose."

I didn't play too well today.

He wasn't too happy when I told him about the mistake.

Learner example:

How are you? [I'm] not too bad. (Key English Test; A2; French)

too bad

B1 used to say that you are sorry about a situation

Dictionary example:

"He didn't get the job." "Oh, that's too bad."

Learner example:

Too bad you couldn't come to my party. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

too bad

C1 used to say that nothing can be done to change a situation

Dictionary example:

I know you don't want to go but it's too bad, we have to.

Learner example:

Human beings have to make their own liv[es] as good as possible, and if they [do] not succeed, the cynical approach is just: too bad! (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)