too many

Meaning

Use 'too many' when referring to a quantity of countable nouns that is more than needed, wanted, or acceptable. It often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting that the excess amount is causing a problem.

Examples

• There are too many people on this bus; let's wait for the next one.

  There are too many people on this bus; let's wait for the next one.

• I bought too many bananas, and now they are going bad.

  I bought too many bananas, and now they are going bad.

• Don't ask too many questions during the movie.

  Don't ask too many questions during the movie.

• She has too many emails to answer before she can leave.

  She has too many emails to answer before she can leave.

• There are too many rules in this game; it's confusing.

  There are too many rules in this game; it's confusing.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ There is too many sugar in my coffee.

  ✓ There is too much sugar in my coffee.

  'Too many' is only used with countable nouns (like bananas or people). For uncountable nouns like sugar, you must use 'too much'.

• ✗ I have too many homework tonight.

  ✓ I have too much homework tonight.

  'Homework' is an uncountable noun in English. Use 'too much' instead of 'too many'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I can't close my suitcase because I packed ___ clothes.

  💡 Clothes are countable.

  Show answer

  too many

• There are ___ cars on the road today, so traffic is terrible.

  💡 Cars are countable and there are more than necessary.

  Show answer

  too many