The words too, so and very are degree modifiers. Generally speaking, so and very have positive meanings. Too, on the other hand, shows negative extremes. Can you use these words correctly? Test your understanding with this grammar exercise.
Complete the following sentences using too, so or very.
1. It was ………………. dark that I could not see anything.
'So' shows the effect or result.
2. The tea is ………………… hot for me to drink.
Note the pattern 'too...to'.
3. I was …………………. busy to meet them.
Note the pattern 'too...to'. We use 'too' to indicate undesirable extremes.
4. The evening was ………………. cold.
5. There are far ……………….. many mistakes in the essay.
Far can modify 'too many', but it cannot modify 'very many'.
6. He behaved ……………….. rudely that we wanted to slap him.
Note the pattern 'so...that'.
7. I am ……………….. happy today.
8. ……………….. many people agree with me.
In some situations both 'so' and very' are possible with similar meanings.
9. The coat was ……………….. expensive that I didn’t buy it.
Note the pattern 'so...that'.
10. He is .................................... frail to walk without support.
Note the pattern 'too...to'.
Answers
1. It was so dark that I could not see anything.
2. The tea is too hot for me to drink.
3. I was too busy to meet them.
4. The evening was too / very cold.
5. There are far too many mistakes in the essay.
6. He behaved so rudely that we wanted to slap him.
7. I am so / very happy today.
8. So / Very many people agree with me.
9. The coat was so expensive that I didn’t buy it.
10. He is too frail to walk without support.
