So/Such/Too/Enough
Look at this sample situation:
A conversation between two friends:
Liam: That film was so boring that I nearly fell asleep!
Emma: Really? I thought it was such an interesting story!
Liam: Well, it was too long for me. I’m not patient enough for three-hour movies.
You can see from these examples that so and such are used to emphasize adjectives and nouns. Too and enough show when something is more or less than necessary.
Meaning
So and such both mean very but we use them to emphasize and often express surprise or emotion:
That was so amazing!
It’s such a beautiful day!
Too expresses an excessive degree; more than is wanted or acceptable.
It’s too cold to swim.
means it's colder than we want or like.
Enough expresses sufficiency; the right or necessary amount.
It’s warm enough to go without a jacket.
means the temperature is okay so we don't need a jacket.
Compare:
It’s too cold to go out.
means we can’t or shouldn't go out.
It’s cold enough to wear a coat.
means we can go out, but it’s chilly so we need to wear a coat.
Structure
So
is used before an adjective or an adverb.
So + adjective/adverb (+ that + clause)
The lesson was so easy that everyone passed.
She runs so quickly that I can’t keep up.
Note: The that clause is optional when the meaning is clear.
It was so hot!
means it was very hot. A that clause may be added to show the result or consequence:
It was so hot that I had a cold shower!
So can be followed by much + uncountable noun and by many + countable plural nouns:
She's got so much talent!
They've got so many friends!
Such
Used before a noun or adjective + noun.
Such + (adjective) + noun (+ that + clause)
It was such a good film that we watched it twice.
They’re such nice people.
Note: Use a/an when the noun is singular and countable:
He’s such an intelligent boy.
but
They are such intelligent children.
So is followed by an adjective alone, while such is followed by a noun. Compare:
It’s so cold today.
It’s such cold weather today.
Such can be followed by a lot of + countable/uncountable nouns:
It cost such a lot of money!
She's got such a lot of friends!
Too
Used to show that something is more than what is needed, wanted or possible.
Too + adjective/adverb (+ for sb.) (+ to + infinitive)
It’s too late to call her now.
He speaks too quickly for me to understand.
When too is followed by a noun, use too much + uncountable noun or too many + countable plural noun:
There’s too much noise in here!
There are too many students in this class.
Note: A to-infinitive clause may be added. It may be preceded by for + object pronoun too:
There’s too much noise in here for me to concentrate!
Enough
Used to show the right amount or degree; not too little, not too much.
adjective/adverb + enough (+ to + infinitive)
She isn’t old enough to drive.
adjective + enough
We didn’t leave early enough to catch the train.
adverb + enough
enough + noun
We have enough time to finish this.
enough + noun
There isn’t enough money to buy a new car.
enough + noun
Note: Enough comes after adjectives and adverbs but before nouns as the examples above show.
A to-infinitive clause may be added. It may be preceded by for + object pronoun too:
There isn't enough time for us to see all the attractions!
In the FCE exam
Reading and Use of English
In part 4, key word transformations, you may need to change between so and such or use too/enough.
The book was so boring that I didn’t finish it.
A
It was _______________________ that I didn't finish it.
Answer: such a boring book
The water is too cold to swim in.
WARM
The water _______________________ for swimming.
Answer: is not warm enough
Writing
In reviews you may use so/such to add emphasis and make your writing more expressive:
The film had such a powerful message that it stayed with me for days.
The main character was so believable that the audience could easily relate to him.
Or you could use too/enough to express limitation or evaluation:
The story was too predictable to be truly exciting.
There wasn’t enough action to keep me interested.
In articles, these words help you sound natural and emotional:
It’s such a shame when good series end too soon!
This app is so useful that I use it every day.
Speaking
These words are often used naturally in everyday conversations so you could use them in all parts of the Speaking paper. Here are some ideas:
In part 1, in answer to personal questions, you could say:
I don’t usually watch horror films; they’re too scary for me.
It’s such a nice city to live in.
In part 2, when you compare the two photos, you might say:
This picture looks so peaceful, whereas the other one seems too crowded.
In parts 3/4 when discussing with your partner or when sharing ideas, you may say:
We don’t have enough time to discuss every idea.
That’s such a good point; I hadn’t thought of it!