Too / A Few / A Little / Enough
Read and listen to four conversations using the grammar.
Conversation 1
Man: Do you like cream with
your coffee?
Woman: Yes, but not too much.
Man: What about sugar?
Woman: Yes, I like my coffee
sweet.
Man: How many sugar cubes?
Woman: Two should be enough.
Conversation 2
Man: Do we have any lettuce?
Woman: Just a little but not
much.
Man: How about tomatoes?
Woman: We have a few. Why?
Man: I want to make a salad.
Woman: Could do. We have lots
of cucumber and a few onions.
Conversation 3
Man: Let’s make an omelet. How
many eggs do we have?
Woman: A dozen. We do not have
much oil, though.
Man: It’s OK, we have some cooking spray. Do we have any cheese or ham?
Woman: We have some cheese but
not
much. ham, I’m afraid.
Man: That’s OK, I can use
tomatoes.
Woman: Great. We have too many and they will spoil soon.
Conversation 4
Man: How much honey do we
have?
Woman: Not much, but some.
Man: How many bananas?
Woman: We have a few, I think.
Why?
Man: I want to make a sandwich.
Woman: With bananas and honey?
Too, A few, A little, Enough
Point 1: 'Too', 'a few', 'a little' and 'enough' are used to talk about quantity.
- There are too many people in this pub.
- This soup needs a little more salt.
- I have a few ideas for the project.
- Can you buy some bread? We don’t have enough.
Point 2: We use 'too much' and 'too many' to show that something is more than needed or appropriate. 'Too much' is used before uncountable nouns. 'Too many' is used before countable nouns.
- Try not to eat too much chocolate.
- You put too much sugar in my coffee.
- I have too many clothes to fit in my closet.
- We shouldn’t carry too many things on the hike.
Point 3: 'A little' is used to talk about a small quantity of uncountable nouns. It appears before a noun. It often is used with 'more'. In answers to questions, the noun is often omitted.
- There is still a little milk left.
- I would like a little sugar in my coffee.
- I need a little more time.
- Would you like some more coffee?
- Just a little.
- A little would be nice.
- Yes, I'll take a little more.
Point 4: 'A few' is used to talk about a small quantity of countable plural nouns. It appears before a noun. In answers to questions, the noun is often omitted.
- I have a few handy tools you can borrow.
- There are a few interesting things you can try.
- Do you have a few minutes to talk?
- Would you like some cookies?
- Yes, I'll take a few.
- Just a few.
Point 5: 'Enough' is used to say the quantity is exactly what we need. It is used before plural and uncountable nouns.
- I have enough time to complete my homework.
- There isn’t enough cheese on this pizza.
- Do you have enough paper or do you need more?
- I don’t have enough money to buy this coat.
Gap Fill: Complete the conversation with the correct word!
