Choose the most appropriate option to fill in the blank in the given sentence:
His behaviour gave me _____ pain.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → too much
Complete sentence: His behaviour gave me too much pain. "Pain" is an uncountable noun, so too much fits.
| Option | Meaning and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) only too | Only too + adjective = very, completely: only too glad to help. "Only too" goes before an adjective, not before a noun such as "pain". | I am only too happy to help. |
| (2) much too | Much too + adjective or adverb = far too: much too painful, much too late. "Much too" goes before an adjective or adverb ("much too painful"), not before a noun. | This shirt is much too tight. |
| (3) too much (answer) | Too much + uncountable noun = more than is acceptable: too much pain, too much noise. | Do not add too much salt to the curry. |
| (4) to much | "To" is a preposition. The word meaning "more than enough" is spelt too. | – |