The sentence

Two meanings of ‘too’
Too changes its meaning according to position:
This coffee is too hot to drink at the moment. (= more than is desirable)
This croissant is freshly-made and the coffee is hot, too. (= also)
‘Too’ and ‘not either’
We use too at the end of an affirmative sentence to mean also:
Billy can already read and he can write, too.
In the negative, we must use either in place of too:
Billy can’t write yet and he can’t read, either. (Not *He can’t read, too.*)
‘Also’ and ‘as well’
1. We use also and as well like too, that is in affirmative sentences. We replace them by
either in negative sentences. We use as well only at the end of a clause or sentence:
I bought this handbag and I bought these shoes to go with it, as well.
2. Also is more common in writing than in speech. It normally comes:
- after be, have, can, etc.: Susan is an engineer. She is also a mother.
- after the first auxiliary verb when there is one or more than one:
I should have collected the letters from your office and I should also have posted
them.
- before the main verb: I play volley-ball and I also play tennis.
H. Viewpoint adverbs, connecting adverbs and inversion
Viewpoint adverbs
We may express our ‘viewpoint’ in speech or in writing using adverbs like these:
- (= I’m sure): clearly, definitely, honestly, naturally, obviously, really, strictly speaking.
- (= I’m going to be brief): anyhow, briefly, in brief, in effect, in a few words, in short.
- (= I’m expressing my opinion): as far as I’m concerned, frankly, in my opinion, I think.
Connecting adverbs
We can connect ideas in speech or writing using adverbs like these:
- (= I’m adding something): in addition, again, apart from this, besides, moreover.
- (= I’m comparing/contrasting): as compared to, equally, however, in reality.
- (= I’m summarizing): all in all, and so on, essentially, in brief, in conclusion, in effect.
Inversion after ‘negative adverbs’, etc.
1. Some adverbs like never and little have a ‘negative effect’ and we sometimes refer to
them as ‘negative adverbs’. We can use them in the ordinary way:
I have never seen so much protest against a government.
Michael little realizes how important this meeting is.
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