So and Too

We use SO when we want to emphasize something, usually in a positive way.

For example,    She has so many friends!  /  I love him so much! /  It was so great! / This is so cool!

However, we can also use SO when we want to emphasize something in a negative way.

For example,   You are so wrong! /  This is so terrible!

We also use SO with a following action or consequence.

For example,    He was so late, he missed the train. /  She was so hungry she ate two plates of food. / The road was so slippery that many cars went in the ditch.

Be careful!  You can’t use SO before an adjective and noun.  Use  SUCH.

For example:   X [She is so good person]     √ She is such a good person!  / This is such a big house!

Use SO MANY (countable) or SO MUCH (non-count) before nouns.

For example,  She has so many friends. /  There is so much snow on the road!

TOO is used to emphasize a negative idea or situation.  In this case, TOO indicates that something is past the limit of acceptance.

For example,  There is too much traffic! /  This box is too heavy! /  I have too much homework! / My girlfriend has too many shoes, there is no more room in her closet!  /  He was too late for his class.

You would never hear someone say  “I have too much money”  (that would be a good problem)

There are some slang expressions that contradict these rules.

For example,   You are too funny!  You are too nice!  

You have a choice in some situations.

This swimming pool is TOO shallow.  [complete thought expressing a problem or negative observation]

This swimming pool is SO shallow!  [complete thought expressing surprise]

This swimming pool is SO shallow [THAT] we cannot dive in it.   [use SO /THAT  when you want to add more information, a consequence or related idea]  [THAT] is optional

TOO can be used like ALSO but is generally placed at the end of a sentence.

For example,   I have a big brother too!  /  We went to that movie too!  /  Me too!

TOO can be placed at the beginning of the sentence after the subject or subject pronoun.

For example,   They, too, had blood on their clothes.  /  John, too, had given up.

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