Introduction
Due to its varied word usage and complex vocabulary, English can occasionally be a difficult language to learn. It can require some caution and practice to pronounce some groups of English words correctly, even for native English speakers, as there are various groups of words with similar sounds. Although it may seem that some terms can be used interchangeably, this is not always the case because the meanings of these words when employed in a phrase vary significantly. The two terms are known as "homophones" due to how close their sounds are. Homophonic words are difficult for listeners to distinguish from one another because of their similar sounds. In this article, we will discuss such words- ‘To’ and ‘Too’ people mistakenly use them interchangeably because of the lack of knowledge and insufficient understanding of grammar rules.
To is most often employed as a preposition, but it can also be used as an adverb and—more importantly—as an infinitive marker. Everyone is aware that a verb takes the 'to' form when it is in the infinitive.
For Ex-
- I am going to the class, are you coming with me?
- When are you coming to visit me?
- Is it going to rain tomorrow?
‘Too’ is an adverb that signifies also or in addition. In the same manner, you may also substitute it for beside or moreover. Additionally, it can be used to denote excess.
For Ex-
- I am buying this dress too, it is so pretty.
- Hey, can I come with you to the exhibition too?
- It was too cold yesterday, don’t forget your jacket today.
To vs Too
The key difference to distinguish between these two homophonic words is to remember that the ‘To’ is usually used as a preposition. "To" is a useful short word that can be used to express a variety of ideas. It can be used to denote an objective, a path to follow, as well as a destination. It is also used to form an infinitive form of a verb. Whereas, we can substitute ‘Too’ with aside from, in addition to, also, or additionally. However, you can also use it for other purposes, such as to denote excess of something.
For Ex-
- When are you going to Paris?
- I submitted the report to our boss.
- Let’s go to the new restaurant we found last week.
For Ex-
- I am attending that concert too.
- This computer is working too slowly.
- Are you coming with us too?
Difference between 'To' and 'Too' in Tabular Form
| Parameters of comparison | To | Too |
| Definition | "To" is a versatile preposition that can be used to indicate a direction, a boundary, an objective, or an outcome. Additionally, it might act as the infinitive's marker. | “Too” is used to describe something great in extent (excess) or something in addition to. |
| Part of speech | We commonly use it as a preposition to denote a location or place in a sentence. | It is used as an adverb in an expression. |
| Used before a | We use it before a noun or a verb. | It is commonly used with an adjective or an adverb. |
| Examples | I have to attend this workshop it is very important.Can you pass that file to me?She’s nervous to go on the stage.To be honest, I don’t like coffee very much. | Along with my drink can I have a starter too?I’m not too sure about this hair color.He is not too excited about his birthday party.Can we buy the ice cream too with other snacks? |
What is ‘To’?
‘To’ is a preposition that signifies "in the direction of" and serves as a function word. It is frequently used in phrases to communicate a goal and indicate movement in the direction of a specific location, or destination. It is usually followed by a noun or a verb in a sentence. It also acts as an infinitive in a sentence to form a verb.
How and when to use ‘To’
When we are indicating to point in a desired direction.
For Ex-
- We went on a trip to Mumbai last week.
- Can I go? I have some work to do.
- Are you coming to the party this weekend?
To draw attention to the person who receives something or experiences something.
For Ex-
- Our teacher told us to focus on the upcoming exams.
- It is not a big incident it can happen to anyone.
- My mother gave me 100 rupees to bring milk from the market.
To indicate a particular moment or level attained:
For Ex-
- The death toll due to earthquakes increased to 30.
- The number of victims of the road accident went up to 5.
- The floods caused many deaths leading the number up to 100.
To speak for in regard to.
For Ex-
- Your friends were nice to hang out with.
- My boss is very helpful to me.
- You are very kind to speak like that in such a situation.
To indicate that a verb is an infinitive it is used before it.
For Ex-
- She likes to dance at her school’s annual function every year.
- Harry likes to draw portraits of his friends.
- I love to listen to classical music.
To establish a connection with the subjects or things.
For Ex-
- I gave my laptop to you last week, can you return it?
- My friend is married to her childhood friend.
- This book belongs to my brother.
To express desire or consent.
For Ex-
- I would like to visit your house someday.
- The students are exhausted and want to go home.
- Can we go to see this Marvel movie?
Concerning reported commands and requests.
For Ex-
- Can you give this assignment to the teacher for me?
- I returned the book to my friend.
- I told my sister to return the dress she borrowed last week.
It is also used with question words.
For Ex-
- What do we have to do next?
- Where are you going to this late at night?
- Can you tell me what to do next after I’m done with this work?
To start a sentence with a clause.
For Ex-
- To be present first, he reached there before time.
- To meet my friend, I bought this new dress.
- To understand this problem you should know its cause.
While giving a reason or stating a cause in a sentence.
For Ex-
- We are sorry to inform you that you are not selected.
- We would like to appreciate your efforts.
- We are happy to announce that you are joining our team.
Examples-
- I would not be able to join this meeting due to some reason.
- Are you coming to the class today?
- We are going to visit the art workshop today.
- My office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- We are glad to announce that you are selected for this position.
- Let’s plan to meet someday.
- She likes to perform in her school choir group.
- I want you to stay happy and healthy always.
- When are we going to visit Sarah’s house?
- Are you going to the office party this weekend?
- When are we going to meet it’s been days.
- When are you going to return my novel, you borrowed last month?
- We are happy to inform you that you are selected.
What is “Too”?
The adverb "too" denotes an excess or overdoing something. When expressing anything more extreme or intense than what is required or desired, we use it in a sentence. It can also be used to express something in addition to or additionally. It is commonly followed by an adjective or an adverb in a sentence.
How and when to use ‘Too’
To express something that is more than necessary, desired, or sufficient.
For Ex-
- I think the snacks are too much for everyone to eat.
- The movie was too long than I expected it to be.
- Why did you cut your hair too short?
To denote something that is furthermore, additionally, or in addition to.
For Ex-
- Don’t forget to bring your laptop and book too.
- Can I purchase this dress too along with those jeans?
- Can I have my dessert too with the starters?
It is also used as an alternative word for ‘very’.
For Ex-
- You are being too mysterious about this thing.
- It’s too hot in Delhi these days.
- The question paper was too difficult than we expected.
Examples –
- Can I come with you guys too?
- I had too many pizzas yesterday.
- She is looking too pretty in that white dress.
- Can I have the pink rose too with the white one?
- It’s going to be too much fun.
- You are too kind to people.
- I like the mountains and beaches too.
- This dress is too short for me I can’t wear it.
- Are going to come too with us to the movie?
- We were going alone, but our friends joined us too.
- Can I bring my sister too to this party?
- This show is too boring.
- This dress is too short for me I’ll return it to the shop.
- Are you coming with us too?
Main differences between ‘To’ and ‘Too’ (in points)
- ‘To’ suggests ‘directed towards’ which can be used to denote motion in a particular direction in sentences. 'Too', on the other hand, denotes a level or quantity that is higher than what is required or intended.
- Meanwhile, the preposition "to" is employed to indicate the relationship between the subject and an element in a phrase. As opposed to that, the adverb "too" is used in phrases to change the meaning of verbs or adjectives and to express the extent of something.
- The word ‘To’ is often followed by a noun in a sentence, whereas ‘Too’ is followed by an adjective or an adverb
- Examples of ‘To’-
- When are we going to meet?
- To stay positive, it is necessary to be happy.
- I replied to your email last week, please check.
- Examples of ‘Too’-
- This movie is too interesting.
- Can I purchase this book too along with that one?
- Can I join you guys too?
Conclusion
In writing or speaking, several confusing expressions are frequently used in English grammar that might be perplexing to the user. Nevertheless, to employ them correctly in a phrase without making any mistakes or being unclear, it is important to grasp their principles and usage. While some of these complicated words, known as homophones, have similar pronunciations, their meanings, and ways of being used in sentences vary. This article also discusses two such words that are – ‘To’ and ‘Too’. After reading this article you would be able to distinguish between both the terms, their basic definitions, and their usage in a sentence along with various examples. An easy way to remember the distinction between the two terms is to realize that whereas "to" only has one "o," "too" has several "o’s,". As a result, you can use "too" whenever you wish to convey that something is more than enough, excessive, additionally, very, etc.; otherwise, you can use "to".
We use the preposition ‘To’ in a sentence to depict the direction of something. It is also used when we say a verb is an infinitive. We frequently use "to" to indicate a relationship between phrases including attachment, addition, and possession. Additionally, we utilize it to indicate a range or duration of time. It is followed by a noun or a verb in a sentence.
For Ex-
- Let’s go to the new café we discovered last week.
- My father likes to have tea early in the morning.
- I would like to invite you to my birthday party this weekend.
The adverb "too" denotes additionally or in addition. Like how you might substitute it for beside or as well. Additionally, it can also be used to denote excess. It is used as an adverb in a sentence and is also followed by an adjective or an adverb.
For Ex-
- I am too obsessed with this color.
- Slow down the car, you are going too fast.
- Don’t forget to bring a notebook and book too.
References
- https://www.toppr.com/guides/tenglish-grammar/confusing-words/oo-vs-to/
- https://grammarist.com/usage/to-too/
- https://www.gingersoftware.com/english-online/spelling-book/confusing-words/to-too-two
- https://www.wix.com/wordsmatter/blog/2020/10/to-vs-too/
- https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/grammar/style-and-usage/what-s-the-difference-between-to-and-too.html
- https://www.grammarly.com/blog/to-too/
- https://ielts.idp.com/uruguay/prepare/article-grammar-101-too-vs-to-learn-the-difference
