Gerunds and Infinitives: Too and Enough + Infinitive
B2 Level
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These structures are common in everyday English: "The box is too heavy to lift," "He speaks clearly enough to understand," "We arrived too late to catch the train." When you add a person, use "for": "The box is too heavy for me to lift" and "She spoke slowly enough for everyone to understand." It's + adjective + to do is a related pattern: "It's impossible to finish today" and "It's nice to meet you." The infinitive always follows in these structures, never a gerund. These patterns are regularly tested in Cambridge B1 and B2 examinations.
Quick Rule
too + adjective + (for someone) + to do | adjective + enough + (for someone) + to do
- 1.This coffee is too hot to drink. (excess prevents action)
- 2.The question was easy enough to answer quickly. (sufficiency enables action)
- 3.The music is too loud for me to concentrate. (for + person)
- 4.He isn't tall enough to reach the top shelf. (insufficient for action)
- 5.The instructions aren't clear enough to follow without help. (not + adjective + enough + to do)
All 20 questions
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb. 'Too' and 'enough' structures use the infinitive. Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb.
Is this room big enough _____ (hold) 50 people?
She can't stand _____ (listen) to loud music.
I don't mind _____ (wait) a little longer.
The box was too heavy _____ (lift) without help.
She was too tired _____ (continue) working.
The coffee is too hot _____ (drink). Wait a few minutes.
She suggested _____ (go) to the beach instead.
They avoided _____ (talk) about the problem.
I enjoy _____ (read) in the evenings.
He's old enough _____ (vote) in the election.
He admitted _____ (steal) the money.
I'm happy _____ (help) you with your project.
The instructions were too complicated _____ (follow).
She's smart enough _____ (solve) this problem.
It's nice _____ (meet) you.
I finished _____ (write) my essay at midnight.
It's important _____ (arrive) on time for the interview.
She keeps _____ (forget) her password.
We considered _____ (move) to a bigger house.
It's easy _____ (make) mistakes when you're learning a new language.
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