What Does To Mean?
To is a preposition indicating direction, destination, or purpose. It also precedes infinitive verbs ("to run," "to eat").
To functions as a preposition / infinitive marker.
What Does Too Mean?
Too is an adverb meaning "also" or "excessively." It adds emphasis to a degree (too hot, too expensive) or inclusion (me too).
Too functions as a adverb.
To vs Too: Key Differences
| To | Too |
|---|---|
| Direction, destination, or infinitive marker | Also or excessively |
| Preposition or verb marker | Adverb |
| "Go to school" | "Too expensive" |
Examples of To in a Sentence
- We drove to the airport early in the morning.
- She wants to learn French.
- Give the report to your manager.
- The store is open from 9 to 5.
Examples of Too in a Sentence
- The soup is too hot to eat right now.
- I want to come too.
- She is too tired to continue working.
- That movie was too long for my taste.
How to Remember the Difference
Too has an extra "o" because it means "extra" or "in addition." If you can replace the word with "also" or "excessively," use too. Otherwise, use to.
Common Mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The coffee is to hot. | The coffee is too hot. | Excessively hot requires 'too.' |
| I want to go too the store. | I want to go to the store. | Direction requires 'to.' |
| She wants to come to. | She wants to come too. | 'Also' meaning requires 'too.' |
If you are unsure which word fits, try Rephrasely's free grammar checker to catch errors instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What about 'two'?
'Two' is the number 2. It sounds the same as 'to' and 'too' but has a completely different meaning. 'I bought two tickets to the show too.'
Should there be a comma before 'too'?
When 'too' means 'also' at the end of a sentence, the comma is optional. 'I like pizza too' and 'I like pizza, too' are both correct.
Is 'to' ever stressed in speech?
'To' is usually unstressed and pronounced like 'tuh.' When emphasized, it sounds like 'too,' which is why the words are sometimes confused in writing.