particle

to

too

particle

Used before a verb to form the infinitive.

"She wants to travel next summer."

prep

Indicating direction or destination — moving toward or arriving at something.

"We're driving to the coast this weekend."

"He handed the letter to his neighbour."

Indicating a result, limit, or degree reached.

"The temperature dropped to freezing overnight."

conj

Used to mean "in order to", expressing purpose.

"He saved money to buy a car."

How to Use To

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOne of English's most basic words, showing direction, purpose, or a limit — used constantly with verbs, places, and outcomes.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "too" (also/excessively) or "two" (the number) — all three sound identical but mean completely different things.

Easily confused with

too → two →

TOd past tense, TOed past tense, TO'd past tense, TO'ed past tense, TOs singular, TO's singular

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Can you complete this real example?

She wants _____ travel next summer.

From Old English tō, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to" — a very old, core function word with cognates across most Germanic languages.

oto Ito veto auto gato alto into onto Leto Mato Otto GOTO