Too vs Very: Strong or Over the Limit?
Both answers make an idea stronger. The fast decision comes from checking whether the sentence is only strong, or whether something has crossed an acceptable limit and created a problem.
Over the limit, causing or threatening a problem = too
Choose very
Choose very when the sentence makes an idea stronger but does not show that anything has gone beyond an acceptable limit.
Choose too
Choose too when the sentence shows that the amount or degree is beyond what is acceptable, useful, possible or safe.
How to find the anchor
Do not choose by sound. Look across the whole sentence for the result. Decide whether the situation stays acceptable or crosses the problem line.
The revised instructions are ___ clear.
Answer: veryClear is strong and positive. The sentence does not show a limit problem, so very fits.
The file is ___ large to attach to the email.
Answer: tooTo attach to the email reveals the problem. The file has crossed the acceptable size limit, so too fits.
Do not stop at the describing word. Check the result across the sentence. Strong but acceptable means very. Beyond the limit means too. Find the result, choose, and move on.
What your result reveals
Your score shows whether you checked the result across the whole sentence and recognised either a strong but acceptable situation or something beyond the acceptable limit. Use the Review to find the exact result anchor before choosing between very and too.
If very caused problems
Review sentences where the idea is strong but remains acceptable. Look for positive or successful results such as useful for the team, pleased with the outcome, clear and easy to follow, or completed on schedule.
If too caused problems
Review sentences where a limit has been crossed. Look for results such as cannot be attached, missed the deadline, not enough space, unsafe to use, or too late to change.
If false anchors or timing caused problems
You may be choosing because both words sound strong. Do not stop at the describing word. Scan the sentence for the result, decide whether the situation stays acceptable or crosses the problem line, then choose.
Use the Review in this order: check the correct answer, locate the exact result anchor, read why the situation is still acceptable or beyond the limit, then compare the reusable pattern. Do not use the shortcut strong meaning = either answer. The result shown across the sentence controls the decision.