The Grammar Guide Spelling What is the difference between 'too' and 'to'?

What is the difference between 'too' and 'to'?

What is the difference between 'too' and 'to'?

The words too and to are often confused because of their similar sound. Do you know the difference?

To means a preposition that refers to location, proximity, direction, or movement.

Too means likewise or to an excessive degree when used as an adverb.

A good way to remember the difference is Too has too many Os.

Out of the two words, 'to' is the most common. It appears about four times more frequently than 'too'.



To and too are easy to confuse because they are homophones, but they have very different meanings.

To is a preposition with several meanings. Some of these meanings refer to proximity, distance, movement, location, and purpose.

Too is an adverb. It can mean an excessive amount or very. It can also be used to mean likewise or also.

Should I use ', too . "' or ', to . "'?

The right phrase is ', too . "'. These phrases are often confused because of their similar sound.

Should I use ', too , the' or ', to , the'?

The correct expression is ', too , the'. These phrases are often confused because they have the same pronunciation but different meanings.

Is the correct phrase 'it was too late' or 'it was to late'?

You should use 'it was too late'. These phrases are often confused because they have the same pronunciation but different meanings.

Which is right 'too much to say' or 'to much to say'?

The right phrase is 'too much to say'. These phrases are often confused because they sound the same.

Is the expression ', too , that' or ', to , that'?

The right phrase is ', too , that'. These phrases are often confused because they have the same pronunciation but different meanings.

What's the right phrase 'from time to time' or 'from time too time'?

The correct expression is 'from time to time'. These phrases are often confused because they sound similar.

Which is correct ', in order to' or ', in order too'?

The right expression is ', in order to'. These phrases are often confused because of their similar sound.

Should I use 'to be able to' or 'too be able too'?

The correct expression is 'to be able to'. These phrases are often confused because of their similar sound.

Is the expression 'to be able to' or 'too be able too'?

The correct phrase is 'to be able to'. These phrases are often confused because of their similar sound.

What's the right phrase 'do not want to' or 'do not want too'?

You should use 'do not want to'. These phrases are often confused because they have the same pronunciation but different meanings.

Some synonyms of too are: unduly, very, likewise, excessively, also.

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The definitions in this article were adapted from Wiktionary.

Examples of too in a sentence

By the time he decided to act, he'd been too late.
- The heart of Devin MacKade by Nora Roberts
The kitchen, too, disappeared under a pile of rubble.
- Touch of Darkness by C. T. Adams; Cathy Clamp
The body holding the guitar in its hands has a name, too.
- Grand Junction by Maurice G. Dantec
Too confusing.
- Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel
The Cessna was too big to get into two of the villages;
- Nothing gold can stay by Dana Stabenow

Examples of to in a sentence

One might say that matter, through electricity, tries to achieve ecstasy.—ERNEST
- Grand Junction by Maurice G. Dantec
Henry was invited to book launches and literary festivals around the world;
- Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel
He pounded on the earth, trying to keep the hands from pulling him under.It wasn't working.
- Beyond belief by Roy Johansen
I wanted to write, and just tell you that me and my spirit were fighting this morning.
- In the night room: a novel by Peter Straub
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- Nothing gold can stay by Dana Stabenow

Test yourself

Choose the missing word in each question.