Difference between To & Too

To vs Too

Understanding the difference between “to” and “too” is essential, as they are two words used extensively in the English language. Although they have very similar pronunciation and spelling, they serve different purposes. “To” is mainly a preposition but can also be used as an adverb and is an infinitive marker. On the other hand, “too” is only used as an adverb. The usage of these two words is where they differ.

What does To mean?

“To” is a preposition used in the dative case during declension of nouns, implying destination or place. For example, “He goes to London this evening.” It can also imply a state, such as “He played the shot to perfection.” “To” can convey the sense of a receiver, as in “She gave the rose to her friend,” where the friend is the receiver. Additionally, “to” can indicate the relationship between two individuals, as seen in the sentences “He is younger to his cousin” and “He is married to her.” Finally, “to” is used as an infinitive marker in expressions such as “to live,” “to tell,” and “to read.”

What does Too mean?

“Too” is used to imply the intensity of a particular situation, as in “It is too hot today,” where it means “very.” It can also indicate excessiveness, as in “It was too dark to go out,” where the excessiveness of darkness is indicated. Furthermore, “too” can convey the sense of “also,” as in “He too attended the meeting.” Sometimes, “too” is used to convey the sense of “very,” as in “He was too sure about the mistake committed by his colleague.”

Key Takeaways

• “To” is mainly a preposition, but can also be used as an adverb and an infinitive marker.
• “Too” is only used as an adverb, often conveying the meaning of “very” or “also.”
• The main difference between “to” and “too” is their usage in sentences.