What is the Difference between "so + adj + to + verb" and "too + adj + to +verb"?
For example: He was too excited to answer the phone ||| He was so excited to answer the phone
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2 Answers
He was so excited to answer the phone.
This simply means that "he" was very excited to answer the phone.
He was too excited to answer the phone.
This implies that "he" was more excited than is appropriate for the situation. Note that culturally this isn't necessarily a bad thing. For instance if "he" was expecting a call back from a job interview that went well, this would be okay.
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1Can we say that the "too" implies that he didn't (or couldn't) answer. (or answered with diffiluclty). but the "so" implies that he was very excited but not that much that he couldn't answer? Mar 3, 2017 at 14:55
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It depends on context. Saying, for example, "too excited" can be taken to mean "very excited" (it's a sort of idiom). But in some contexts, it should be taken literally. If someone was "too nervous to answer to the phone", for instance, it may literally mean that the person couldn't answer the phone due to being too nervous. It's all about context.– Peyton BMar 3, 2017 at 15:02
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I apologize if I'm not very clear, I'm struggling to describe the situation simply. Perhaps another answer will help you a bit more.– Peyton BMar 3, 2017 at 15:04
I have work to do
I have so much work to do
The "so" makes the verb/adjective stronger.
I have too much work to do
The "too" means more than needed, implies a negative meaning.
correct
The salsa was too spicy to eat
incorrect
The salsa was so spicy to eat
