The Distinction Between To and Too: Tips on how to Get it Proper As soon as and For All [With Examples]

Understanding the distinction between to and too is vital as a result of they’re each quite common phrases in English.

They are often simply confused in English as a result of they sound and look alike. Whether or not in informal dialog, on-line posts and even essays, this occurs quite a bit. 

This publish will enable you to to know the distinction between these two phrases, plus when to make use of them. You’ll additionally study a number of ideas that will help you follow!

Let’s get began. 

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The Distinction Between “To” and “Too”

To
reveals route, motion towards or vary between individuals, locations, or issues. It’s a preposition (a connecting phrase that reveals a relationship between different phrases) and may also be a part of phrasal verbs (e.g. “get again to you”) or infinitives (e.g. “to start”).

Too
 is used when one thing is further (“me, too!”) or extreme (“too spicy”). Too is an adverb (a descriptive phrase that modifies one other phrase, normally a verb).

When pronounced correctly, these phrases sound precisely the identical!

And typically they will additionally get combined up with two
 which is all the time a quantity (the one which comes after one and earlier than three!) You utilize it to point the amount of one thing. For instance: “I’ve two apples.” 

Makes use of of “To” and “Too”

1. “To” as a preposition

As we talked about, to is a preposition that reveals a relationship between phrases. There are a number of methods you need to use to as a preposition, however its most typical meanings are associated to motion or area between issues.

Let’s take a look at some examples of how it may be used!

To point out route or motion in the direction of one thing. You additionally use to to point a spot of arrival. For instance:

I’m going to the restaurant proper now.

She’s driving to the park this afternoon.

To point out ranges of time or quantities. You need to use to if you need to give a size of time or distance between a sure begin and finish level. You additionally use to when giving an estimate between one quantity and one other. For instance:

The trip shall be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The highway is blocked from Oak Road to Elm Road.

To point out possession, since we are saying that an object belongs to an individual. One other associated use is attachment, which may be between objects or individuals. For instance: 

This bag belongs to my sister.

I’ve hooked up the report to this e-mail. 

To point out similarity. You can too use to for proportions. For instance:

This film is simply too comparable to the opposite romantic comedies I’ve watched earlier than.

The ratio of sugar to flour on this recipe is 1 to 2.  

To point out diploma. That is normally meant for excessive conditions. For instance:

The climate is chilly to the bone.

She studied to the purpose of exhaustion. 

2. “To” as a part of a phrasal verb

Typically to is a part of a phrasal verb, similar to “look as much as” or “get again to.”

We all know that verbs are phrases that point out actions. However phrasal verbs are used with different phrases and have a unique which means than the identical phrases by themselves. 

Right here’s an instance:

I’m sorry I forgot about our plans. I’ll make it as much as you.

“To make it as much as somebody” is a phrasal verb which means to do one thing good to account for (stability out) one thing unhealthy that you simply did.

Right here’s one other instance:

Sorry, this can be a unhealthy time! Can I get again to you?

You may say this to somebody whereas speaking on the telephone. In each examples, you’ll be able to see there’s a sort of motion. Once I say that I will get again to you, “getting again” is one thing that I’ll do in your route.

Because the preposition to is so widespread, you’ll discover many extra methods to make use of it. 

3. “To” as a part of an infinitive

An infinitive is the unconjugated, base type of a verb. In English, infinitive verbs begin with the preposition to adopted by the principle verb. Listed below are some examples:

To present

To dance

To research

Apart from being the unconjugated type of a verb, infinitives may also be utilized in sentences. Infinitive verbs are sometimes paired with conjugated verbs:

I need to indicate you one thing.

On this sentence, the primary verb “need” is conjugated for the primary particular person singular, or “I.” Subsequent is the infinitive “to indicate,” which isn’t conjugated. This expresses that exhibiting you one thing is what I need.

There are a number of examples of the phrase to in Tracy Chapman’s “Quick Automotive” (click on right here to pay attention). It’s a tune that expresses a number of concepts about motion and route and likewise makes use of infinitives:

I need a ticket to wherever (motion in the direction of a spot)

Managed to avoid wasting just a bit bit of cash (infinitive following a conjugated verb)

We gained’t have to drive too far 

This final instance makes use of the expression “to need to [do something],” which suggests an motion that’s required or must occur.

You’ll be able to see that it additionally accommodates the phrase too, which we’ll take a look at subsequent.

4. “Too” which means “additionally”

One of the widespread meanings of too is “additionally” or “moreover.”

It’s tremendous straightforward to identify when to make use of too when it means “moreover.” You simply have to assume if you need to use the phrase “additionally” in a sentence. For instance, you might say, “Are additionally they coming?”

However the good factor about too is that it normally falls on the finish of sentences, making it simpler to make use of and spot.

Listed below are some examples:

I need to present you my new tattoo, too.

Are they coming, too?

She’s sporting her purple T-shirt, too.

5. “Too” which means “excessively” 

If used earlier than an adjective or adverb in a sentence, it’s expressing the thought of extra, or “greater than is required.”

If my automobile is “too quick,” it has extreme pace. If the within of my automobile is “too scorching,” it has extreme warmth.

The tune “No one” by Mitski (click on right here to pay attention) has instance of each makes use of of too collectively. In the beginning of the tune, she sings:

Venus, planet of affection
Was destroyed by international warming
Did its individuals need an excessive amount of, too?
Did its individuals need an excessive amount of?

The second too within the third line has the which means of “additionally.” So the sentence means: “Did its individuals need greater than they wanted, additionally?” This tune additionally accommodates a number of examples of to, making it excellent for working towards each phrases.

Listed below are some extra examples of too on the whole:

Do your folks assume you’re too loud?

If you’re at events, do you speak too a lot?

Particularly if you drink too many cocktails?

Has anybody ever informed you that you simply, your self, are simply too a lot?

Synonyms for “To” and “Too”

These phrases are synonyms: phrases or phrases that share a which means. It might enable you to perceive to and too if you understand different methods to say the identical issues!

To has only a few actual synonyms, however different prepositions with comparable makes use of embrace:

• Towards/in the direction of
• Into
• Till/until
• Via
• On
• Upon
• Towards

Too has the synonyms:

• Additionally
• Moreover
• Excessively
• As nicely
• As well as
• Moreover
• Overly
• Exceptionally

Tips on how to Pronounce “To” and “Too” in Informal Speech

Now that you understand the principle variations between to and too, it’s vital to find out how native audio system pronounce them.

In “appropriate” English, to
and too
 are each pronounced with an “ooh” sound, however in informal speech, there’s a distinction:

To typically turns into “tuh” and is mixed with different phrases.

Too normally retains its “ooh” sound.

In some accents, the vowel could be dropped fully, similar to in phrases like:

It’s time t’go.
(It’s time to go.)

“To” blended with different phrases

In informal speech, to can be blended into verbs which are typically used with it, typically even dropping its consonant. Some examples sound like:

There are a number of examples of this in songs, similar to in “I Wish to Know What Love Is” (click on right here to pay attention). 

As you get used to listening to phrases like these, you’ll study to know them immediately.

“To” and “Too” Follow Quiz

When you’ve learn this far, you’ll don’t have any bother with this quick follow quiz. Give it a attempt!

1. In the present day, I’ll go ___ the shop.
2. Will you come, ___?
3. My dad wants some eggs ___ bake a cake.
4. I don’t like issues ___ candy, so I hope he doesn’t use ___ a lot sugar.
5. I would want ___ get some milk, ___.
6. We’ll want about 1 ___ 2 cups.
7. When you want something, ___, simply say so.
8. I’m actually trying ahead ___ my celebration.
9. There gained’t be ___ many individuals, but it surely’s going ___ be a number of enjoyable.
10. We’ll get together from nightfall ___ daybreak!

Reply key:

1. to
2. too
3. to
4. too, too
5. to, too
6. to
7. too
8. to
9. too, to
10. to

For extra follow, take a look at the language studying program, FluentU. You’ll be able to hear each phrases as native audio system use them in genuine content material, similar to film clips, music movies and extra.

There are interactive subtitles, flashcards and personalised quizzes. Plus, there’s a search perform which reveals you all of the movies by which the phrases are used. 

FluentU is out there on-line or on iOS and Android.

 

At this stage you’re most likely a professional at explaining the distinction between these two phrases. 

Now all you must do is follow!

Obtain:
This weblog publish is out there as a handy and moveable PDF that you simply
can take wherever.
Click on right here to get a duplicate. (Obtain)