too ... to do
too ... to do means “too + adjective + to do: so ... that it is not possible”. Too + adjective/adverb + to + verb says the degree is so high that the action is impossible: I was too tired to cook (= so tired that I couldn't cook). Formation: too + adj/adv + to + base verb · too + adj + for + person + to do
too + adjective + to do: so ... that it is not possible
B1Formation
too + adj/adv + to + base verb · too + adj + for + person + to do
Explanation
Too + adjective/adverb + to + verb says the degree is so high that the action is impossible: I was too tired to cook (= so tired that I couldn't cook). The negative idea is inside the pattern — don't add can't after it. To say who would do the action, add for: The tea is too hot for me to drink. Remember that too is negative in feel; for a positive result use enough: warm enough to swim.
Examples
Note
With a noun the order changes: too big a box (not 'a too big box') — this sounds formal; people often say a box that is too big. Compare so ... that: I was so tired that I couldn't cook.
FAQ
too ... to do — what does it mean and how is it used?
too + adjective + to do: so ... that it is not possible. Too + adjective/adverb + to + verb says the degree is so high that the action is impossible: I was too tired to cook (= so tired that I couldn't cook). The negative idea is inside the pattern — don't add can't after it. To say who would do the action, add for: The tea is too hot for me to drink. Remember that too is negative in feel; for a positive result use enough: warm enough to swim.
too ... to do — how do you form it?
too + adj/adv + to + base verb · too + adj + for + person + to do
too ... to do — any usage notes?
With a noun the order changes: too big a box (not 'a too big box') — this sounds formal; people often say a box that is too big. Compare so ... that: I was so tired that I couldn't cook.