Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[yoshi-pooh]

Hi, everyone.

The passage below is from a textbook edited for students in the lower intermediate level.

"Rip is a very kind man! He helps me with my house work," one woman said.
"Yes," said another woman. "He plays with my children. He is too kind!"
Everybody agreed with what she said. Rip was too kind.

It seems to me that the word "too" is used to mean "very", but I think "too" normally imlpies "something is going too far" with negative connotation. Do you think "too" can be used just to emphasize without negative implication?

Thank you!

[Anuradha Chepur]

My son likes chocolates. I like them too, but I have to keep my hands off them. (sounds emphatic)

[yoshi-pooh]

Hi, Anuradha

Thanks for your reply, but I think the "too" you've shown in the sentence means "also", rather than "too" for emphasis.

Regards,

yoshi-pooh

[Anuradha Chepur]

'also' in this regard functions to emphasise. In the sentence I gave, 'too' is the word that would receive the accent, indicating emphasis.

[CP]

"Thank you for the gift. You really shouldn't have. You are too kind."

That is a way to tell someone that he or she really did more than expected.

In the passage quoted, I might interpret the "too kind" remark, repeated so soon, to mean that maybe Rip was being overly kind because he had some ulterior motive -- looking for a wife, for example.

Hope this helps.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[yoshi-pooh]

Hi, everyone
I'm not sure if I'm making myself clear, so let me ask you again in another way.
Do you use the word "too" instead of "very" like those I have shown in my first post? Do you say " My English teacher is too kind" in order to give a positive evaluation to the teacher?

I thought " He is too kind" has different implication than "He is very kind" in that "too kind" has a negative implication, while "very kind" has a positive one. As far as I'm concerned "too kind" sounds like "the person is excessively kind" and the implication is that " he/she shouldn't be so kind."

In my opinion, the "too" in the passage should be "very". Do you agree with me?

Thank you!

yoshi-pooh

[CP]

I agree with your analysis of "too" and "very," but if the original passage was written with "too," then I would not substitute "very," because of the change in meaning. Dr. Chepur answered your question whether "too" can be used for emphasis without the negative connotation.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[yoshi-pooh]

Hi, CP

Thanks for your reply. I read your comment after I wrote my last question. Judging by your comment, it seems like my understanding would be right.

Thank you!

yoshi-pooh,

[yoshi-pooh]

Hi. CP

Thanks again. I really appreciate your replies.

I find this very interesting. My understanding regarding the usage of "too" was as follows.

1. "The man is too tall." In this case "too" emphasizes the following adjective "tall" like "very", but with negative connotaion.

2. "I like Chinese food. I like Japanese food,too." In this case "too" means "as well", which has different meaning than the "too" in No. 1.

However, both you and Dr. Chepur say that the "too" in No. 2 is also used to emphasize...This is interesting, but a bit difficult. Maybe I need some time to think about it.

Regards,

P.S. Don't give up on me. (ha ha ha!)

yoshi-pooh

[CP]

1. Here, "too tall" means "taller than he should be." Maybe there are minimum and maximum heights for a job, e.g., policeman or soldier.

2. Here it is, as you say, equivalent to "as well" or "also." If you wanted to use it for emphasis, you might say, as Dr. Chepur's example shows, "I like Chinese food, but I like Japanese food, too." Means "Chinese isn't the only kind of Asian food I like."

Also for emphasis: "I, too, like Asian food." Means "you're not the only one who like it, you know."
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[Jintii]

In addition to the two uses you listed, sometimes too + adjective is used to give a compliment.

Someone gives you a present. You say, "Oh, you're too kind!" That's like saying "You shouldn't have!" It is not meant literally; it just means you are kinder than I deserve, which is a polite way of saying that you are very kind.

In your original example, I think this is why the women said that Rip was too kind.