to the store

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to the store" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a destination or purpose related to shopping or visiting a retail location. Example: "I need to go to the store to buy some groceries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Went to the store yesterday, friend.

The New York Times

JAck goes to the store for noodles.

The New Yorker

He went to the store first.

The New York Times

" 'Re went to the store.' It's easy".

The New York Times

"Later, they may return to the store".

The New York Times - Tech

I nearly ran to the store.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The rest goes to the store.

The Guardian - Business

"They always went to the store".

The New York Times

I head back to the store.

The New York Times

Back to the store it went.

The New York Times

Essentially, the consumer drives to the store.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to the store" when you want to indicate a trip to a retail location without specifying the type of store. It's a general term suitable for most situations.

Common error

Avoid using "to the store" when a more specific term like "to the supermarket" or "to the pharmacy" would provide clearer information and context for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to the store" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of direction, modifying a verb to indicate movement towards a retail establishment. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage. For example, "I'm going to the store." The word 'to' functions as a preposition showing direction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

32%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to the store" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate movement toward a retail location. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and widespread use. While its register is generally neutral, more specific terms might be preferable in formal contexts. The phrase is very common in News & Media and Wiki contexts. Related phrases include "to the market" and "to the shop". To enhance clarity, avoid vagueness by specifying the type of store when appropriate. "To the store" functions as an adverbial phrase of direction, serving the purpose of indicating an intention or action of going to a place for shopping or running errands.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to the market

Replaces 'store' with 'market', implying a place for buying goods, especially food.

to the shop

Substitutes 'store' with 'shop', suggesting a smaller or more specialized retail establishment.

to the supermarket

Specifies 'supermarket' instead of 'store', referring to a larger self-service grocery store.

to the grocery store

Clarifies 'store' as 'grocery store', explicitly indicating a place to buy groceries.

to the mall

Replaces 'store' with 'mall', suggesting a trip to a shopping center with multiple stores.

to go shopping

Changes the phrase to a verb-based expression, focusing on the act of shopping rather than the location.

to the shopping center

More formal than "to the store", suggests a destination with a collection of retail outlets.

to the department store

More specific than "to the store", implies a visit to a large store selling a wide range of goods.

on a shopping trip

Focuses on the activity of shopping, rather than the destination.

for groceries

Specifies the purpose of going to the store, implying a trip to buy food items.

FAQs

How can I use "to the store" in a sentence?

You can use "to the store" to indicate a destination for shopping or errands, such as "I'm going "to the store" to buy milk" or "She walked "to the store" after work".

What are some alternatives to saying "to the store"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to the market", "to the shop", or "to the supermarket".

Is it correct to say "I went to store" instead of "I went to the store"?

No, it is not correct. The definite article "the" is needed because you are referring to a specific store or the concept of going to a store in general. The correct phrase is "I went "to the store"".

What's the difference between "to the store" and "at the store"?

"To the store" indicates movement or direction towards the store, while "at the store" indicates being present inside the store. For example, "I'm going "to the store"" means you are heading there, and "I am at the store" means you are currently there.