grammar
« Trop » and « assez »: Too much or just enough.
When you want to express that something is excessive or just sufficient, you will reach for the words trop (too / too much) and assez (enough / quite). The trick is knowing how their structure changes depending on whether you are modifying an adjective or a noun.
Using « Trop » (Too / Too much)
When describing a quality (an adjective), you use trop by itself. But when you are talking about a quantity of things (a noun), you absolutely must add the word de.
■ « Trop » + adjectif (Too...)
trop chaud (too hot)
trop lent (too slow)
trop difficile (too difficult)
■ « Trop de » + nom (Too much/many...)
trop de bruit (too much noise)
trop de sucre (too much sugar)
trop de problèmes (too many problems)
Using « Assez » (Enough / Quite)
The exact same structural rule applies to assez. Use it directly with adjectives, but add de when pairing it with a noun.
■ « Assez » + adjectif (Quite... / ...enough)
assez fort (strong enough / quite strong)
assez rapide (fast enough / quite fast)
assez clair (clear enough / quite clear)
■ « Assez de » + nom (Enough...)
assez de temps (enough time)
assez d'eau (enough water - note the d' before a vowel)
assez de courage (enough courage)
When these adverbs are followed by a noun, they are usually followed by de or d': trop de travail, assez d'eau, and beaucoup de livres. In other structures, the article may still be present, so learn this as a pattern rather than an absolute rule.