To | Definition, Meaning & Part of Speech
The word to typically functions as a preposition (e.g., as a preposition of direction indicating a destination). “To” is also part of the full infinitive verb form (e.g., “to eat”).
| Grammatical role | Example in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Preposition | Take the A train to Fulton Street. |
| Part of the full infinitive | She told me to take the A train. |
To definition
When the word to functions as a preposition, it works in combination with the other elements of the sentence to communicate information such as a destination, position, or the “recipient” or “target” of an action, feeling, or state.
Our town is a few miles to the south of the lake. [Position]
Maybe you lent your drill to the neighbor? [“Recipient”]
Be nice to your sister! [“Target”]
When “to” functions as the infinitive marker (as part of a full infinitive), it typically adds to information communicated by a verb, verb-object combination, noun, or adjective.
Polly invited the whole class to come to tea.
I didn’t detect any willingness to change.
The meeting isn’t likely to finish any time soon.
Is to a preposition?
The word to typically functions as a preposition or is the infinitive marker. When its part of speech is a preposition, “to” can convey a wide variety of meanings.
| Meaning | Example in a sentence |
|---|---|
| To indicate a destination | Charlotte is going to the store. |
| This corridor leads to the warehouse. | |
| To indicate the “recipient” or “target” of something | Don’t forget to give the note to your teacher. |
| You’ve never mentioned that to me before. | |
| We used to be so mean to each other when we were kids. | |
| He didn’t seem very open to my questions. | |
| But to his surprise, Petra was there, waiting outside the theater. | |
| To indicate something that is connected or attached | But how do I link it to my computer? |
| There’s a label stuck to your shoe. | |
| To indicate the end of a period of time or range of dates | Suzanne is going to be away from the 10th to the 14th. |
| The store is open from 9 to 12 on Saturdays. | |
| To indicate the position of something | Does the mirror look better to the left or right of the table? |
To before an infinitive
The word to is the infinitive marker (also referred to as the infinitive particle or the infinitive to) when it’s part of a full infinitive.
For instance, in the sentence “I would like to go to Brazil one day”:
- The word “to” in “to go” is the infinitive marker, not a preposition, because it is part of the full infinitive form “to go” (i.e., the form you find listed in dictionaries but with the word “to” in front).
- The word “to” in “to Brazil” is a preposition because it has an object (“Brazil”).
Can you teach me to knit?
We’re delighted to welcome you all here this evening.
I was never good enough at basketball to make the team.
Would you have known what to do?
You can borrow my tent if you need to.
- I’m really looking forward to going to Brazil next year.
- I’m really looking forward to go to Brazil next year.
What part of speech is to?
The word to typically functions as a preposition (e.g., “Give it to me”) or is the infinitive marker as part of a full infinitive (e.g., “I want to keep it”). But its part of speech can also be an adverb in some varieties of English (e.g., “Pull the window to”).
Is to an adverb?
In some varieties of English (e.g., British English), the word to can function as an adverb meaning “toward a closed position” (e.g., “She gently pushed the door to”).
Simona recognized the sound of the lock clicking to.
Is to a conjunction?
The word to is not a conjunction. However, “to” is sometimes used at the start of a sentence:
- As the infinitive marker (e.g., “To err is human, to forgive divine”)—where the full infinitive form of the verb functions as the subject of the sentence and a noun
- Or as a preposition (e.g., “To everyone’s dismay, the event was eventually canceled”)—where “to” introduces a prepositional phrase.
Frequently asked questions about to
- Is it I would love to or too?
-
The phrase is I would love to or “I’d love to” (not “I would love too” or “I’d love too”) when you’re accepting an offer. For example:
- Person A: We’re going to the lake tomorrow. Why don’t you come too?
- Person B: Yes, I would love to.
Here, the word to is part of the full infinitive, but the verb does not need to be repeated (i.e., it’s short for “I would love to come”).
QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker will help you to avoid mistakes with commonly confused words like “to” and “too.”
- Is it referring to or too?
-
It is referring to, not referring too. For example:
- “When he said ‘the Big A,’ I think he was referring to New York.”
- “Referring back to your earlier question, this is a good example of the problems I highlighted.”
“Referring” is a form of the verb “refer” and the word to is a preposition.
QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker will help you to spot errors with easily confused words like “too” and “to.”
- Is it in regard to or in regards to?
-
It is in regard to, not in regards to (e.g., “I am writing in regard to your recent inquiry about our products”).
“In regard to” means “concerning” and is used interchangeably with “in regards to.” However, “in regard to” is the standard form that you will find in dictionaries, so it is best to say and write “in regard to” in formal contexts. The word to is a preposition in this phrase.
Have you tried QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker? It will help you to avoid mistakes with commonly confused words like “regard” and “regards.”
