To (infinitive verb) and too


Grammar Lessons \| Grammar Tests \| Common Grammar Errors \| Grammatical Terms \| Easily Confused Words \| Free Grammar Checker \| Search \| Contact Us Too and to - infinitive form of verb

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

'To' in an Infinitive Verb

Occasionally, there is some confusion over the words 'too' and 'to'. The word 'to' has two uses. The first use of 'to' is to show the infinitive form of a verb. (The second use is as a preposition.)

Examples:

There are many options to consider.

("to consider" in its infinitive form)

Anthony will have to find a bottle and join the party.

("to find" in its infinitive form)

I explained why I had no time too mow the lawn.

(should be 'to mow')

You must learn to listen more carefully.

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)

SPLIT INFINITIVE

As explained above, the infinitive form of a verb comprises of 'to' and the verb itself (e.g., 'to laugh'). You should not put any words between them. This is called a 'split infinitive', which some consider an error.

Our mission: to boldly go where no man has gone before.

(The word "boldly" should not appear between "to" and "go".)

You have to really mean it.

(If rewording your sentence in order to avoid a split infinitive makes it sound too contrived, then use the split infinitive. These days, many do not consider a split infinitive to be an error at all.)