Too / A Few / A Little / Enough

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.

1. There are too many people in this pub.
2. This soup needs a little more salt.
3. I have a few ideas for the project.
4. 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.

1. Try not to eat too much chocolate.
2. You put too much sugar in my coffee.
3. I have too many clothes to fit in my closet.
4. 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.

1. There is still a little milk left.
2. I would like a little sugar in my coffee.
3. I need a little more time.
4. Would you like some more coffee?
   1. Just a little.
   2. A little would be nice.
   3. 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.

1. I have a few handy tools you can borrow.
2. There are a few interesting things you can try.
3. Do you have a few minutes to talk?
4. Would you like some cookies?
   1. Yes, I'll take a few.
   2. 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.

1. I have enough time to complete my homework.
2. There isn’t enough cheese on this pizza.
3. Do you have enough paper or do you need more?
4. I don’t have enough money to buy this coat.