English Reference
preposition · particle · adverb

to

prep. · part. · adv.

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    prep.in the direction of a place or person.

    prep.indicating a destination, direction, or final position in space.

    Simple

    We walked to the park to see the ducks.

    In context

    The commuters hurried to the station, hoping to catch the express train before the platform gates closed for the evening.

    Pitfall
    I am going to home. I am going home.

    The word 'home' is used as an adverb here, so you do not need the preposition 'to'.

  2. 02 A1 Beginner

    prep.the person or thing that receives something.

    prep.indicating the indirect object or the recipient of an action or item.

    Simple

    I gave the book to my sister for her birthday.

    In context

    The manager explained the new safety protocols to the staff during the morning briefing.

    for
  3. 03 A1 Beginner

    prep.used to show the end of a period of time or a range of numbers.

    prep.denoting the terminal point of a temporal or numerical range.

    Simple

    The shop is open from nine to five every day.

    In context

    The temperature is expected to fluctuate between fifteen to twenty degrees throughout the weekend.

    untilup to
  4. 04 A1 Beginner

    prep.used to say how many minutes there are before the next hour.

    prep.preceding a stated hour to indicate the remaining interval.

    Simple

    It is ten to six, so we should leave now.

    In context

    Glancing at his watch, he realised it was already a quarter to midnight and the last bus had likely departed.

  5. 05 B1 Intermediate

    prep.used when comparing two things or showing a score.

    prep.indicating a ratio, proportion, or comparison between two values or entities.

    Simple

    Our team won the game three to one.

    In context

    The ratio of students to teachers in the private academy was significantly lower than in the local public schools.

    againstcompared with
  6. 06 A1 Beginner

    part.used before the basic form of a verb.

    part.a marker used to indicate the infinitive form of a following verb.

    Simple

    I really want to learn how to play the guitar.

    In context

    The board of directors decided to postpone the merger until the market conditions became more stable.

    Pitfall
    I want to going. I want to go.

    After 'to' as an infinitive marker, always use the base form of the verb, not the -ing form.

  7. 07 C2 Proficiency Literary

    adv.in a closed or nearly closed position.

    adv.describing a door or window that is pushed into a closed or engaging position.

    Simple

    He pushed the heavy wooden door to.

    In context

    She pulled the casement window to as the storm broke, shielding the library from the driving rain.

Don't confuse

to vs too vs two — To marks a destination or an infinitive, too indicates excess or addition, and two is the number 2.

Usage access to · accord to · adapt to

This entry
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Very common
Updated