So much and too much

Question

Hi, I often have students ask me when to use "so much" and "too much". For example: I shouldn't have argued so much when I was a teenager.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I often have students ask me when to use "so much" and "too much".

For example: I shouldn't have argued so much when I was a teenager.

Let me just offer some comments on these two examples.

I shouldn't have argued so much when I was a teenager. I shouldn't have argued to the degree or level that I am thinking about or that I have mentioned. There was some kind of consequence.

I shouldn't have argued too much when I was a teenager. I shouldn't have argued to an excessive level, to a level which was considered a problem. But I did.

But before trying to teach this to students, I'd ensure that they know the basic difference between 'so' and 'too', in sentences like these.

It was so cold yesterday.

It was too cold yesterday.

Best wishes, Clive

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous"so much" and "too much"

so much = to that degree
too much = excessively

CJ

So much and too much

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