Simple Words, Used the Right Way: Very/Too

In this series, Simple Words, Used the Right Way, we look at everyday English words that seem simple but are often confusing because they follow patterns that may not exist in other languages.

In our last article, we looked at borrow/lend and bring/take. This time, we're looking at very/too and a quick trick to make choosing the right word easier.

Note: As you may know, I don't usually use a lot of emojis, but I chose the ones in this article to show the emotions that go with the words - hope it helps!

What It Means:

When you use very, you are simply making a description stronger, for example, “The food is very hot.” simply tells us that the food has a high temperature or is spicy. There is no problem in the sentence.

On the other hand, too suggests that something has gone past a comfortable, useful or possible level and is creating a problem; in this case, “The food is too hot.” tells us that the food is so hot or spicy that you cannot eat it (which is definitely a problem when you’re hungry!).

What to Do:

When you are choosing between very and too, ask yourself one simple question: “Am I simply describing how something is, or has it gone past what is okay?”

This is a time when visualization (seeing something in your mind’s eye) can help: picture yourself climbing a hill.

At the bottom, something is difficult😒. As the hill gets steeper, it becomes very difficult. You can still keep going, but you're working harder😓.

Then you reach a point where the hill is too difficult: you've gone beyond what you can manage and you can't keep going without changing something or giving up 😫.

Very will take you higher up the hill, but too will take you past the point where it’s okay or possible.

The Example:

Anika is preparing for a job interview. She tells her friend, “I’m very nervous.” Her stress level is high, but she is still able to go to the interview😬.

A few minutes later, she says, “I’m too nervous to speak clearly.” Now her stress level has gone from being high to being a problem because it is making it difficult for her to do something she needs to do 😫.

Likewise, when Daniel is talking about his drive to work he says, “The traffic is very heavy,” which is just describing the traffic😖. But if he says, “The traffic is too heavy for me to get there on time,” the heavy traffic has created a problem😡.

Rule of Thumb:

In other words, very says, “This is a lot!” Too says, “This is more than I can deal with!”

REMEMBER > Don't automatically replace very with too when you want to make a point stronger. They can sometimes describe the same situation, but they will give the listener different information.

Bonus Points:

If you think of the pattern as: Difficult → VERY difficult → TOO difficult,  this same pattern will work with other descriptions: 

• expensive → VERY expensive → TOO expensive

• hot → VERY hot → TOO hot

• busy → VERY busy → TOO busy

• loud → VERY loud → TOO loud

• heavy → VERY heavy → TOO heavy

• tired → VERY tired → TOO tired

• late → VERY late → TOO late

• crowded → VERY crowded → TOO crowded

• far → VERY far → TOO far

• cold → VERY cold → TOO cold

The Bottom Line

Word pairs like very/too can be confusing because both words describe something to a greater degree than usual. Instead of asking yourself, “Which English word do I remember?”, picture what is happening and ask yourself, “Am I okay with it or has it gone past my comfort level?”

As I said in the last article in this Simple Words, Used the Right Way series, when you focus on the pattern behind the words instead of translating directly, your English becomes clearer and more accurate — and you’ll be able to help another English learner!

 If you’re ready to work on your English in a focused and structured way (or to begin your French journey), start here: —https://www.fluentandfabulous.com/home