Too

Too is a common English adverb with two primary functions: indicating addition or inclusion, and indicating excess or excessive degree.

In its additive sense, too means “in addition” or “as well.” It often appears at the end of a clause or sentence: I’d like to come too. This use is close in meaning to also or as well, though tone and style may differ in formal writing.

In its sense of excess, too means “more than is desirable or necessary.” It modifies adjectives, adverbs, or other modifiers: That’s too loud, The plan is too risky, We’re too tired to continue. When used with count nouns, it forms phrases such as too many; with noncount nouns, too much: too many people, too much sugar.

The combination too + adjective or adverb often appears before the word it modifies: too bright, too quickly, too heavy to lift. When expressing an action blocked by the degree described, the construction too + adjective + to + verb is common: The box is too heavy to lift.

Usage notes and nuance: too can shift emphasis toward inclusion or toward excess depending on position and context. In formal writing, also or as well may be preferred for addition, while too is common in everyday speech. In negative constructions or with negation, too is typically paired with not: not too bad, not too late.

Etymology: Too derives from Old English and early Germanic sources, with the additive sense appearing early in the language, and the sense of excess developing over time. It has cognates in related Germanic languages.

See also: also, as well, to boot.