Master these commonly confused words with simple rules that eliminate guesswork. Learn when direction needs "to" and when excess requires "too."

The Core Distinction

• To = Direction, purpose, infinitive marker
• Too = Excessive, also, very
• Two = The number 2

To: Direction and Purpose

To serves multiple grammatical functions, all related to direction or purpose.

As a Preposition (Direction)

• Going to the store
• Send it to me
• From here to there
• Listen to music

Before Infinitives

• I want to learn
• Time to go
• Happy to help
• Eager to start

In Expressions

• To and from
• To be or not to be
• To each their own
• Nine to five

Memory Device

TO = Toward an Objective

Too: Excess and Addition

Too indicates excess, addition, or emphasis.

Meaning "Excessively"

• Too hot to handle
• Too much information
• Too little, too late
• Too good to be true

Meaning "Also/As Well"

• I'm coming too
• Me too!
• She likes it too
• Can I have one too?

For Emphasis

• You're too kind
• That's too funny
• Too bad!
• All too often

Memory Device

TOO = Two O's for "Overload" or "Other"

Two: The Number

Two simply means 2:

• Two cats
• Two o'clock
• Two by two
• Two weeks notice

Common Errors and Solutions

"To" vs "Too" at Sentence End

• ❌ "I want to come to"
• ✅ "I want to come too"

Before Adjectives

• ❌ "It's to cold"
• ✅ "It's too cold"

With Infinitives

• ❌ "I need too go"
• ✅ "I need to go"

Quick Tests

1. Can you substitute "also"? → Use too
2. Can you substitute "excessively"? → Use too
3. Is it before a verb? → Use to
4. Does it indicate direction? → Use to
5. Can you substitute "2"? → Use two

Practice Exercise

Select the correct word:

1. I'm going (to/too/two) the party.
2. The soup is (to/too/two) salty.
3. She wants (to/too/two) join us.
4. Can I come (to/too/two)?
5. It's (to/too/two) late now.
6. Give it (to/too/two) me.
7. The (to/too/two) of us went together.
8. That's (to/too/two) much money.
9. I need (to/too/two) think about it.
10. He's tired (to/too/two).
11. From one (to/too/two) ten.
12. You're being (to/too/two) hard on yourself.

Answer Key: 1. to, 2. too, 3. to, 4. too, 5. too, 6. to, 7. two, 8. too, 9. to, 10. too, 11. to, 12. too

Master this distinction: to shows direction, too shows excess or addition, and two is simply 2!