To vs Too
"To" is a preposition indicating direction or recipient, or part of an infinitive verb (to run, to eat). "Too" is an adverb meaning "also," "as well," or "excessively." Don't forget "two," the number, which sounds identical but is spelled differently.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | To | Too |
|---|---|---|
| Part of Speech | Preposition or infinitive marker | Adverb |
| Primary Meaning | Direction, recipient, or infinitive verb form | "Also" or "excessively" |
| Example (direction) | "I'm going to the store." | N/A |
| Example (infinitive) | "I want to eat." | N/A |
| Example (also) | N/A | "I want to go too." |
| Example (excessive) | N/A | "It's too hot outside." |
| Memory Trick | One "o" — one meaning (direction/infinitive) | Two "o"s — "also" or "overly" |
Key Differences
1. To: Preposition Showing Direction or Recipient
To as a preposition indicates movement, direction, or destination: "I'm driving to work," "She gave the book to me," "They walked to the park." It can also indicate a recipient or target: "Listen to the music," "Talk to your teacher."
Use "to" when showing where something is going, who is receiving something, or what something is directed toward. If you can replace it with "toward" or "in the direction of," you're using the preposition "to."
2. To: Infinitive Verb Marker
To appears before the base form of a verb to create an infinitive: "to run," "to think," "to be or not to be." Infinitives are used after certain verbs ("I want to leave"), as subjects ("To err is human"), or to express purpose ("I came here to help").
When "to" is followed by a verb, it's forming an infinitive, not acting as a preposition. Example: "I need to study" — here, "to study" is the infinitive verb phrase showing what you need to do.
3. Too: Adverb Meaning "Also" or "As Well"
Too meaning "also" is used to add information or show agreement: "I like pizza too," "Can I come too?" "She's a doctor, and her sister is too." It's often placed at the end of a sentence but can also appear mid-sentence with commas: "I, too, enjoyed the movie."
When "too" means "also," you can usually replace it with "as well" or "also" without changing the meaning. If the sentence still makes sense, you're using "too" correctly in this sense.
4. Too: Adverb Meaning "Excessively" or "More Than Needed"
Too meaning "excessively" indicates that something is beyond the appropriate or desired amount: "too hot," "too expensive," "too tired," "too much." It expresses that a limit has been exceeded: "This coffee is too bitter" (more bitter than I like).
When "too" means "excessively," it usually appears before an adjective or adverb: "too quickly," "too loud," "too many." If you can replace it with "excessively" or "overly," you're using this meaning of "too."
5. Don't Forget "Two" (the Number)
Two is the number 2. It's a completely different word with the same pronunciation: "I have two cats," "Wait two minutes," "There are two options." Despite sounding identical to "to" and "too," "two" is only used for the numeral.
While less commonly confused, "two" completes the homophone trio. Remember: "to" (preposition/infinitive), "too" (also/excessive), "two" (the number). Each has a distinct meaning and spelling.
When to Use Each
Use To when:
- Showing direction, destination, or movement (going to school)
- Indicating a recipient or target (give it to her)
- Forming an infinitive verb (to walk, to see, to understand)
- You can replace it with "toward" and it still makes sense
- You're showing purpose ("I'm here to help")
Use Too when:
- You mean "also" or "as well" (I want to go too)
- You mean "excessively" or "more than desired" (too loud)
- You can replace it with "also" or "overly" and it still works
- You're adding emphasis to agreement (I, too, believe that)
- You're describing something beyond a reasonable amount
Real-World Examples
To (preposition): "We're driving to Los Angeles tomorrow." — Shows destination/direction.
To (infinitive): "She wants to learn Spanish." — Forms the infinitive verb "to learn."
Too (also): "I loved the movie, and she did too." — Means "also" or "as well."
Too (excessive): "This sweater is too small for me." — Means "excessively" or "more than fits."
Two (number): "I'll be there in two hours." — The numeral 2.
Common Mistakes
❌ Incorrect: "I want too go too the concert."
Why it's wrong: "Too go" should be the infinitive "to go," and "too the concert" should be "to the concert" (preposition of direction).
✅ Correct: "I want to go to the concert."
❌ Incorrect: "Can I come to?"
Why it's wrong: You mean "also," so you need "too" (the adverb), not "to" (the preposition).
✅ Correct: "Can I come too?"
❌ Incorrect: "It's to expensive."
Why it's wrong: "To expensive" doesn't make sense; you mean "excessively expensive," which requires "too."
✅ Correct: "It's too expensive."
❌ Incorrect: "I have too dogs."
Why it's wrong: When stating a number, use "two" (the numeral), not "too" (the adverb).
✅ Correct: "I have two dogs."