Practice
Too long or to long: which form is correct?
The meeting was too long. Here, too means more than wanted, and long describes the meeting. The spelling to long is not correct in this sentence.
Use too long when something has more length or duration than wanted, and use to only as part of a phrase such as to wait or too hard to carry.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
too long /tuː lɔŋ/
The short answer
Write too long when you mean that something lasts or measures more than you want. Write to only when it belongs with another word, usually before a verb.
The movie was too long for the children to watch after school.
Why it works: Too describes long. The second to introduces the verb watch.
5 more examples
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The cable is too long for this small desk.
The cable has more length than the desk needs.
Not this:The cable is
long enoughfor this small desk. What changes: Long enough means the length is suitable, not excessive. -
We waited too long to buy the tickets.
The waiting time caused a problem.
Not this:We waited
long enoughto compare the ticket prices. What changes: This sentence says the waiting time was sufficient. -
The instructions are too long to read during the call.
Too modifies long. To introduces the verb read.
Not this:The instructions are
short enough to readduring the call. What changes: Short enough describes a suitable length for the task. -
It took too long to find the correct address.
The search lasted longer than the speaker thought was acceptable.
Not this:It took
ten minutesto find the correct address. What changes: A direct time measurement does not judge whether the time was acceptable. -
The skirt is too long, so I need to shorten it.
The skirt has more length than needed.
Not this:I need
to lengthenthe skirt before the event. What changes: Here, to comes before the verb lengthen. It does not mean more than wanted.
Read the full guide
Look at the word after the sound /tuː/. If the next word is long, use too. If the next word is a verb such as wait, go, or explain, use to.
Choose too before long
Use too before long when the length or time is more than wanted. Too adds the idea of excess. Long names the length or duration.
The line was too long, so we came back later.
The line was long. This only describes it. Too long says that the length caused a problem.
Which form fits a class that lasts longer than students can concentrate?
Use too long: The class is too long for the students.
Use to before a verb
To usually comes before the basic form of a verb. It does not describe how much or how long something is.
I need to leave before the traffic gets worse.
In this sentence, to belongs with leave. It cannot be changed to too.
Choose the word before the verb finish: We need ___ finish this today.
Use to: We need to finish this today.
Separate the two jobs
Some sentences contain both too and to. The first word can describe an adjective, while the second word introduces an action. Read one word at a time.
The bag is too heavy to carry on the bus.
Too describes heavy. To introduces carry.
Complete the sentence: The email is ___ long ___ read quickly.
Use too and to: The email is too long to read quickly.
Talk about time and size
Too long can describe something you measure, such as a dress, road, cable, or shelf. It can also describe an activity that takes time, such as a meeting, trip, or wait.
The meeting was too long for a single afternoon.
The meeting lasted three hours. This states the duration but does not say whether it was suitable.
Does too long describe only objects, or can it describe time as well?
It can describe both. A road may be too long, and a delay may be too long.
Use long enough for a suitable length
Use long enough when the length meets a need. This is different from too long, which says there is more length or time than wanted.
The extension cord is long enough to reach the window.
Long enough means the cord works for the job. Too long would mean that the extra length is a problem.
Which phrase fits a rope that reaches the boat without extra length?
Use long enough: The rope is long enough to reach the boat.
Before you go
Remember this
Use too long for more length or time than wanted. Use to before a verb or for direction. In a sentence with both words, check each job: The trip was too long to finish before dark.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Too long or to long: which form is correct?"
Is to long ever correct?
To long is not the usual spelling when you mean that something has excessive length or lasts too much time. Write too long in that meaning. The word to can appear before a verb, such as to lengthen or to wait, but it does not replace too before the adjective long.
The cable is too long for this small desk.
What does too long mean?
Too long means more length or duration than is wanted, suitable, or practical in the situation. A cable may be too long for a desk, and a meeting may be too long for one afternoon. The phrase often suggests that the extra length or time causes a problem.
The cable is long enough for this small desk.
Can too long describe time?
Yes. Too long can describe time as well as the physical size of an object. You can say that a wait, trip, class, or meeting was too long when it lasted more time than you wanted or when its duration did not fit the situation.
We waited too long to buy the tickets.
Why are too and to confused?
Too and to are commonly pronounced alike in English, so writers may choose the wrong spelling when they work from sound alone. Check the next word and the meaning. Use too for excess before an adjective or adverb, and use to before a verb or to show direction.
We waited long enough to compare the ticket prices.
What is the difference between too long and long enough?
Too long says that something has more length or duration than wanted. Long enough says that it meets a particular need. A cable can be long enough to reach an outlet, while a different cable may be too long for a small desk and leave extra wire in the way.
The instructions are too long to read during the call.