TO VS. TOO VS. TWO

To vs. Too vs. Two

The terms to, too and two sound alike, causing confusion to some people despite their different uses. This post will help you differentiate between these words and allow you to use them properly.

The word to is most commonly used as a preposition “used for expressing motion or direction toward a point, person, place, or thing approached and reached.”

“U.S. national security handover to Trump bumpy, officials say”
Reuters

“Islamic State Steps Up Oil and Gas Sales to Assad Regime”
Wall Street Journal

“Under Trump, Approach to Civil Rights Law Is Likely to Change Definitively”
New York Times

When used with a verb, it forms an infinitive.

“Congress moves to give away national lands, discounting billions in revenue”
The Guardian

“Rick Perry Regrets Call to Close Energy Department”
New York Times

“Adrian Peterson wants to stay in Minnesota but would consider Giants, Bucs, Texans”
ESPN

Meanwhile, the term too is commonly used as an adverb meaning “to a higher degree than is desirable, permissible, or possible” or “excessively.”

“Sitting down for too long can speed up ageing, finds new study”
The Independent

“Self-help guru Tim Ferriss explains why too much ambition can be a problem”
Business Insider

“Here’s How Americans Ended Up Eating Too Much Sugar”
Huffington Post

As an adverb, it can also be used to mean “in addition” or “also.”

“Donald Trump’s Mexico-bashing hurts American interests too”
Financial Times

“Hudson Square: A Manhattan Bargain, and Quiet, Too”
New York Times

“Newsflash for the transport secretary: cyclists are road users too”
The Guardian

On the other hand, two refers to the number “equivalent to the sum of one and one” or “one less than three.”

“Apple’s Got Three iPhones This Year: One Stunning, Two Boring”
Forbes

“First evidence of dwarf galaxy merger boosts two cosmic theories”
New Scientist

“The symbolism of Trump’s two inaugural Bible choices, from Lincoln to his mother”
Washington Post