To vs Too
Since to and too are two words used very extensively in the English language, it is crucial to know the difference between to and too to understand where to use them correctly. Before trying to understand the difference between to and too, let us first have a good look at the two words, to and too. Both words, to and too, are known to be a bit confusing for the users since they have very similar pronunciation and spelling. To is mainly a preposition, but it is also used as an adverb and most importantly it is used as an infinitive marker. We all know that the infinitive form of a verb is made with to. Then, too is only used as an adverb. They, to and too, show differences between them when it comes to usage.
What does To mean?
To is a preposition that is used in the dative case during declension of nouns. It implies destination or place as in the sentence given below.
He goes to London this evening.
Sometimes the word to is used to imply a state as in the example given below.
He played the shot to perfection.
To is also used to convey the sense of a receiver. Observe the sentence given below.
She gave the rose to her friend.
Here, friend is the receiver.
Sometimes the word to is used to indicate the relationship between two individuals. Look at the two sentences given below.
He is younger to his cousin
He is married to her.
In both of the sentences, the word to conveys some sort of relationship between two individuals.
To is used as infinitive in expressions such as to live, to tell, and to read. This is done because to is known as the infinitive marker. The above given examples are all instances for infinitive verbs.
What does Too mean?
Too, on the other hand, is used to imply the intensity of a particular situation as in the following example.
It is too hot today.
The intensity of the heat is described by the word too. Hence, too is used as an adverb in the sentence that gives the meaning very.
The word too, moreover, indicates excessiveness of something. Read the following sentence.
It was too dark to go out.
In this sentence, the excessiveness of darkness was indicated by the usage of the word too.
The word too is used to convey the sense of also. For example, observe the following sentence.
He too attended the meeting.
In the above mentioned sentence, the word too conveys the sense of also. Likewise, sometimes the word too is used to convey the sense of very as in the following sentence.
He was too sure about the mistake committed by his colleague.
In this sentence, the word too conveys the sense of very.
What is the difference between To and Too?
• To is a preposition that is used in the dative case during declension of nouns. It implies destination or place.
• Too, on the other hand, is used to imply the intensity of a particular situation.
• Sometimes the word to is used to imply a state, to convey the sense of a receiver, to indicate the relationship between two individuals and also to indicate infinitive form of verbs.
• Too indicates excessiveness of something, the meaning very and the meaning also.
Thanks – to and too are my pet peeves. To is more often used when too is correct.