Enough — Word Order and Usage with Nouns and Adjectives
Learn the two positions of 'enough': before nouns (enough food, enough chairs) and after adjectives (old enough, big enough). Covers 'not enough' vs 'too', and the rule against 'enough of + plain noun'.
Enough: Mastering Position and Word Order
The word enough is unusual in English because its grammatical position changes depending on what it modifies. As a determiner before a noun it precedes the noun; as an adverb after an adjective it follows the adjective. Learner data shows that reversed word order ('enough big', 'enough old') and unwanted insertion of 'of' ('enough of money') are the two dominant error types with this word at B1–B2.
Enough Before a Noun
As a determiner, 'enough' comes directly before the noun. Do not insert 'of' unless a determiner (the, my, these…) follows:
Have we got enough chairs? ✓
I don't have enough money to buy it. ✓
✗ I don't have enough of money. → ✓ I don't have enough money.
✓ I spent enough of the budget. (determiner follows 'of' — correct)
Enough After an Adjective
As an adverb modifying an adjective, 'enough' always comes after the adjective:
She isn't old enough to drive. ✓
This essay isn't long enough. ✓
✗ Is the room enough big? → ✓ Is the room big enough?
Too vs Not Enough: Two Ways to Say the Same Thing
He's too young to vote. = He isn't old enough to vote.
Common Mistakes
✗ I don't have enough of money. → ✓ I don't have enough money.
✗ She is enough old to decide. → ✓ She is old enough to decide.