Also vs Too
Also and too are two words that are often confused due to the appearing similarity between their meanings when, strictly speaking, there is some difference between them. The word also is used in the sense of ‘in addition’. On the other hand, the word too is used in the sense of ‘excessively’. This is the main difference between the two words. However, remember that according to the context the meaning of the word too can change. This fact as well as the difference between also and too will be explained adequately in the following article.
What does Also mean?
The word also is used in the sense of ‘in addition.’ Observe the two sentences given below.
He also attended the meeting.
She also did the same.
In both the sentences, you can find that the word also is used in the sense of ‘in addition.’ Hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘he, in addition, attended the meeting’, and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘she, in addition, did the same.’ In other words, it means ‘she did the same as others’.
What does Too mean?
The word too is often used in the sense of ‘excessively.’ Observe the two sentences given below.
He is too young to understand the meaning.
She is involved in the crime too.
In the first sentence, the word too is used in the sense excessively. Here, it would be more appropriate to say the meaning is ‘more than expected.’ So the meaning would be ‘he is younger than expected to understand the meaning.’ In the second sentence, too is used in the sense of ‘in addition.’ This is a different meaning too takes according to the context. So the meaning of the sentence would be she, in addition, is involved in the crime.
It is important to know that the word too is sometimes used in the sense of ‘very’ as in the first of the two sentences given above. The meaning of the sentence ‘he is too young to understand the meaning’ would be ‘he is very young to understand the meaning’. It is interesting to note that the word too is usually followed by the preposition ‘to’ that comes after the adjective as in the example ‘he is too old to stand in the sun’.
In the sentence given above, you can see that the adjective used is the word ‘old’ and this adjective comes between the word too and the preposition ‘to’. It is a very important observation to make especially in the usage of the word too. Sometimes the word too is used in the sense of ‘as well’ as in the sentences,
He is included in the team too.
She is picked in the party too.
In both the sentences, you can find that the word too is used in the sense of ‘as well.’ Hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘he is included in the team as well’, and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘she is picked as well in the party’.
What is the difference between Also and Too?
• The word also is used in the sense of ‘in addition’.
• On the other hand, the word too is used in the sense of ‘excessively’.
• The meaning of too can change according to the context. Sometimes, too is used to mean in addition.
• Too is also used to mean ‘very’ and ‘as well.’