The difference between too and to (grammar lesson)

Too means as well or conveys the idea of in excess.
To is a preposition (e.g., Give it to her) or is used to show the infinitive form of a verb (e.g., I want to run).

Too and To

There is often confusion over the words too and to. Both words have two uses:

Too

Too has two uses:

Too means as well or also.

I can do it too.

Did you think that too?

See the lesson: Too (as well or also)

Too portrays the idea of in excess or more than it should be.

This cat is too chubby.

The shoes were too expensive.

I'm glad to hear you smoke. A man should always have an occupation of some kind. There are far too many idle men in London as it is.

(Oscar Wilde) (See the same quote in the section below.)

See the lesson: Too (in excess)

To

To has two uses:

To is used in expressions like to walk, to run, to paint, etc. (These are all verbs in their infinitive forms.)

I want to run around the planet.

Did you tell her what to think?

I'm glad to hear you smoke. A man should always have an occupation of some kind. There are far too many idle men in London as it is.

(Oscar Wilde) (See the same quote in the section above.)

See the lesson: To (infinitive form)

To is used in expressions like to the park, to the postman, agree to a proposal. (The word to in these examples is a preposition.)

She handed the parcel to the stranger.

I am going to the park.

See the lesson: To (preposition)

Select the correct version:

PREPOSITION?

The word to is a preposition. Prepositions show the relationship between at least two words in a sentence.

He agreed to the proposal.
(To shows the relationship between agreed and proposal.)

David ran to the park.
(To shows the relationship between ran and park.)

Words like on, in, and by are also prepositions. There are lots of others. (See lesson Prepositions.)

INFINITIVE FORM?

Verbs are doing words like to dance, to sit, to fly, to think etc.) (See lesson Verbs)

When to is in front of a verb, the verb is said to be in its infinitive form.

She likes to dance. (< verb to dance in its infinitive form)
She dances. (< verb to dance not in its infinitive form)

Punctuation

Parts of Speech

Confused Words

Common Mistakes

Too and To

Too

To

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