Difference Between Also and Too (With Table)

The fundamental distinction between Also and Too is that Also means “in addition,” while Too means “more than enough.” The difference can be subtle, but the effect on your writing can be huge.

On a basic level, Also means “in addition to what was just mentioned.” It is used to indicate furtherance of thought or extension of action. As an adverb, it modifies verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.

Also vs Too

The main difference between Also and Too is where they appear in a sentence. It’s also used before the verb in the phrase. Too, on the other hand, appears after the clause has been completed. When the syntax suggests the start of a new subject or a similar but separate pointer, it is also utilised. Too, on the other hand, is a definite response or an immediate expression.

Some grammar rules are more flexible than others. The use of “also” is one such example. “Also” can function as either an adverb or a conjunction, depending on its placement in a sentence. Where you place the word also determines how it should be used and what meaning it conveys.

‘Too’ is a versatile word that may be employed in a variety of sentences, such as ‘too much,’ ‘too few,’ and so on. It is commonly used in spoken interactions and is thought to be more casual. ‘Too’ comes after the subject and refers to its characteristics. ‘Too’ is seldom used after a modal or auxiliary verb.

Comparison Table Between Also and Too

What is Also?

Also” might be used to suggest that you need to add to what you’ve already said. The meaning of the word “also” is determined by where it appears in a phrase.

If it appears at the beginning of the sentence, it means that there is someone or something else that needs to be added to what was just said.

If it appears in the middle of a sentence, it means that there is something else in addition to what has already been mentioned.

The word ‘also’ is an example of a word that can have more than one meaning. The meaning of the word ‘also’ is determined by where it appears in a phrase. For example, if you write “I also like cats,” it means that your liking for cats is something that’s adding to what you’ve already said about yourself.

However, if you write “Dogs also like cats,” it means that dogs are joining the group of animals who like cats. In other words, if you already know some animals who like cats, then dogs are among them.

The word ‘also’ doesn’t always mean ‘in addition to.’ In fact, it might not have anything to do with addition at all. For example, if you write:

“I also think he’s lying.”

it means that after someone else has said they think he’s lying (or after it’s implied), you agree with them and think he’s lying, too.

What is Too?

‘Too’ is an adverb as well. It signifies ‘in addition to’ or ‘a greater amount than is necessary’ and it comes before adjectives and adverbs to show that something is more than the required standard.

Example: The baby’s room is too far from the master bedroom.

Example: He eats too much chocolate.

Example: She runs too slowly for the race.

There are many ways to use the word too. It is used as an adverb, adjective, or preposition.

Too as an Adverb

Too is an adverb as well. It signifies ‘in addition to’ or ‘a greater amount than is necessary’ and it comes before adjectives and adverbs to show that something is more than the required standard.

Examples:

I finished the test in two hours because I had too much time left.

Too as an Adjective

When it comes before a noun, it acts as an adjective, which means ‘excessively.’ In this case, it can be replaced by ‘excessively.’ Example: She had eaten too much food at dinner and couldn’t finish the dessert she had ordered from the menu. Too as a Preposition When used in sentence constructions like ‘too much,’ ‘too many,’ ‘too little’ and ‘too few,’ too acts as a preposition with the following structure:

Too + Adjective/Adverb + Noun/Pronoun/Verb

Too can also be used in the following ways:

As a synonym for in addition: I am not hungry; I have eaten too much already.

In negative sentences to mean “not … enough”: Your room is too dark. Let me open the curtains. (NOT Your room is more dark.)

To replace in addition when it has already been used: We are going to Brussels too, but only for a short time. (NOT We are going to Brussels in addition, but only for a short time.)

Main Differences Between Also and Too

1. ‘Also’ has a more official connotation than ‘too.’
2. In a sentence, ‘also’ is mostly used favourably, but ‘too’ is mostly used negatively.
3. In a sentence, ‘also’ is frequently used before the verb, but ‘too’ is frequently used towards the end of the phrase.
4. ‘Also’ has only one meaning, although ‘too’ can have numerous meanings, including ‘alongside’ and ‘excess of’.
5. In certain cases, ‘too’ can replace ‘also’ in a phrase, although this is not always the case.

Conclusion

Also

This word expresses the idea of additional people or things. It can be used to indicate that something happens in addition to what has already been said. In some cases, it may be used to express agreement.

Examples:

I also like coffee. (In addition to what was already said.)

I, too, like coffee. (Agreement with a previous statement.)

Too

This word indicates excessiveness or superiority. It is used in contrast with “not enough.”

Examples:

The coffee was too hot to drink quickly. (It was so hot that it couldn’t be drunk quickly.)

The coffee wasn’t hot enough to drink. (It wasn’t warm enough to drink.)

References

1. https://arxiv.org/abs/1909.08186
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S135983681630035X