to

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'to' is both correct and usable in written English.
'To' can be used as a preposition, an infinitive marker, or an adverb. Example: I am going to the store to buy some eggs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is easy to see why.

The New York Times

I thought it was going to be easy.

The Guardian - Film

"International unity will collapse and the path to conflict will widen".

The Guardian

But it was not to be.

The New York Times

It is not hard to see why.

The New York Times

"We're ready to be led — not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans.

The New York Times

It was not to be.

The New York Times

After all, you just go to an emergency room".

The New York Times

I had to get out".

The New York Times

As an environmentalist, and someone who believes that everyone in this world has a right to a healthy and nutritious diet of their choosing, I could not have chosen a more counter-productive path.

The New York Times

That was not to be.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to" with verbs, ensure it correctly marks the infinitive form. For example, use "to learn", not "learning".

Common error

Avoid using "too" or "two" in place of "to". "Too" means "also" or "excessively", while "two" is the number 2. Double-check your usage to ensure the correct word is used in context.

Linguistic Context

"To" functions primarily as a preposition indicating direction, purpose, or relationship. It also serves as an infinitive marker before verbs (e.g., "to run", "to learn"). As Ludwig AI points out, "to" marks the following verb as an infinitive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to" is a fundamental word in the English language, acting as a preposition, infinitive marker, adverb, and even an abbreviation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. As a preposition, it indicates direction, recipient, or relationship; as an infinitive marker, it precedes verbs to form the infinitive. Usage patterns reveal its prevalence in News & Media. Common errors include confusing it with its homophones "too" and "two". Remembering its multiple functions is crucial for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the direction of

Replaces "to" when indicating movement or orientation towards a specific place or object.

towards

Indicates a general direction or inclination, similar to "to" as a preposition of direction.

in order to

Emphasizes the purpose or reason for an action, similar to "to" when used as an infinitive marker.

on the way to

Indicates progress or movement towards a destination, similar to "to" showing direction.

bound for

Specifies a destination or intended location, akin to "to" when indicating a destination.

so as to

Expresses the reason or purpose behind an action, much like "to" as an infinitive marker.

intending to

Highlights the planned or intended action, similar to "to" indicating intention.

for the purpose of

Highlights the intended outcome or objective, akin to "to" indicating purpose.

destined for

Implies a predetermined outcome or destination, akin to "to" when indicating a future state.

with the aim of

Focuses on the goal or objective, similar to "to" expressing intent.

FAQs

How can I use "to" as a preposition in a sentence?

Use "to" to indicate direction, recipient, or relationship. For example, "I am going "to the store"", "I gave the book "to him"", or "This is similar "to that"".

What are common mistakes when using "to" as an infinitive?

A frequent error is splitting infinitives excessively or unnecessarily. While splitting infinitives is sometimes acceptable, avoid awkward constructions. For example, instead of "to quickly run", consider "to run quickly".

Which is correct, "going to go" or "going to going"?

"Going "to go"" is correct when expressing future intention. "Going to going" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "to", "too", and "two"?

"To" is a preposition or infinitive marker, "too" means "also" or "excessively", and "two" is the number 2. For example, "I am going "to the park"", "I want to go, "me too"", and "I have "two dogs"".