To vs. Too: Avoiding Common Mistakes

When people write in English, many writers confuse to vs. too. Whether it comes from not understanding the finer details of these words or it’s just a simple slip of the mind, this is definitely something that writers need to look out for.

To vs. Too: Understanding the Difference

Key Distinctions:

• To:
  • Preposition: Used to indicate direction or purpose.
    • Example: “We went to the store.”
  • Infinitive marker: Used with verbs.
    • Example: “She wants to learn French.”
• Too:
  • Also/As well: Means “in addition.”
    • Example: “Can I come too?”
  • Excessively: Refers to something being overly or excessively done.
    • Example: “It’s too cold outside.”

To vs. Too: Definition and Usage

To (Preposition/Infinitive Marker):

• Meaning: Used to indicate direction, destination, or purpose. It can also function as part of an infinitive verb.
• Use:
  • Preposition: Indicates movement or direction toward something.
  • Infinitive Marker: Used before a verb to indicate an action.
• Examples:
  • Preposition: “We are going to the park.”
  • Infinitive Marker: “I want to eat lunch.”
• Explanation: “To” is the correct choice when showing direction, a goal, or linking verbs in the infinitive form.

Too (Adverb):

• Meaning: Means “also” or “excessively.”
• Use:
  • Also: Used to indicate “in addition” or “as well.”
  • Excessive: Used to describe something that is more than enough or beyond what is desired.
• Examples:
  • Also: “I want to go too.”
  • Excessive: “This coffee is too hot to drink.”
• Explanation: “Too” is used when you’re indicating excessiveness or something additional.

Useful Tips for To or Too

Remember these tips:

1. If expressing addition, use “too“:
   • She wants to come with us, and we’d like her too.
2. For indicating excess, “too” is your word:
   • This coffee is too hot to drink right away.
3. “To” fits when pointing towards a direction:
   • Let’s head to the beach this weekend.
4. When in doubt, ask if the sentence implies addition or excess. If not, “to” is likely the correct choice.

Here’s a quick reference table:

To or Too: Common Mistakes

Using “to” instead of “too” for “also” or “excessive”:

• Incorrect: “I want to go to.”
• Correct: “I want to go too.”
• Explanation: “Too” means “also” here, so it’s the correct form.

Using “too” instead of “to” for direction or purpose:

• Incorrect: “She is going too the store.”
• Correct: “She is going to the store.”
• Explanation: “To” indicates the destination, so it’s the correct form.

Quick Tips:

• Use “to” for direction, movement, or to indicate the infinitive form of a verb.
• Use “too” when you mean “also” or “excessively.”

To or Too: Related Confused Words

In our experience with the English language, we often encounter words that sound alike but have different meanings. Homophones like “to,” “too,” and “two” frequently lead to errors in writing.

To vs. Two

• To is a preposition used to indicate direction, purpose, or a recipient. For example, “We are going to the park,” or “This gift is for you to keep.”
• Two represents the number 2 in written form. It is used when counting or indicating quantity. For instance, “We have two cats at home.”

It is clear that while “to” and “two” share pronunciation, their functions in a sentence are distinct. “Two” refers specifically to the numerical value, never functioning as a preposition like “to.”

Examples of To or Too in Sentences

Examples of “To” in Sentences

1. She walked to the store to buy some groceries.
2. I need to finish this project by Monday to meet the deadline.
3. He gave the book to his sister as a birthday present.
4. We’re planning to go to the beach this weekend.
5. Could you send the email to me when you have a chance?

Examples of “Too” in Sentences

1. This coffee is too hot to drink right now.
2. She was too tired to go out after work.
3. The suitcase is too heavy for me to lift by myself.
4. He’s coming too, so we need to wait for him.
5. The music was too loud at the party last night.

Examples of Sentences that Use Both “To” and “Too”

1. I was going to invite her to the concert, but I thought it might be too loud for her taste.
2. The car is too expensive for me to afford on my salary.
3. She would like to join the club, too, but she doesn’t have enough time.
4. It’s never too late to learn something new.
5. The package needs to be delivered to the office, and it’s too big to fit in my backpack.

Practice and Exercises

Fill in the blank 

1. Can you give this book __________ me when you’re done reading it?
2. She was __________ tired to continue hiking and decided to turn back.
3. I need to go __________ the store to buy some groceries.
4. The music was __________ loud, and it was giving me a headache.
5. Are you going __________ attend the meeting this afternoon?
6. This suitcase is __________ heavy for me to lift by myself.
7. He wants to learn how __________ play the guitar over the summer.
8. I think I added __________ much salt to the recipe.
9. She’s planning to travel __________ Europe next year.
10. It’s __________ early to tell whether the project will be successful.

Answer with Explanation 

1. Answer: to
   • Explanation: “To” is used as a preposition indicating direction or the person affected.
2. Answer: too
   • Explanation: “Too” means excessively; she was excessively tired.
3. Answer: to
   • Explanation: “To” is used as a preposition indicating direction.
4. Answer: too
   • Explanation: “Too” means excessively; the music’s volume was excessively high.
5. Answer: to
   • Explanation: “To” is used as an infinitive marker before a verb.
6. Answer: too
   • Explanation: “Too” means excessively; the suitcase’s weight was excessively much.
7. Answer: to
   • Explanation: “To” is used as an infinitive marker before a verb.
8. Answer: too
   • Explanation: “Too” means excessively; more salt was added than necessary.
9. Answer: to
   • Explanation: “To” is used as a preposition indicating direction.
10. Answer: too
    • Explanation: “Too” means excessively; it’s excessively early for predictions.