Many people confuse very and too, which can completely change the meaning of a sentence. Both words express intensity, but they have slightly different meanings!
Example:
- Incorrect: I am very tired to go out.
- Correct: I am too tired to go out.
Why?
Very is used to show a high degree of something, but without any negative consequence. For example: I am very tired means you’re tired, but still capable of doing something.
Too means too much, which indicates something is excessive or undesirable. When you say I am too tired, it means you’re so tired that you can’t continue or do something.
More examples:
- Incorrect: She is very busy to help us.
- Correct: She is too busy to help us.
- Incorrect: It is very cold to go swimming.
- Correct: It is too cold to go swimming.
