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To, too, or two
They sound alike: to shows direction or comes before a verb, too means also or more than enough, and two is the number 2.
Quick rule
Counting? Two. Could you say also or excessive instead? Too. Pointing somewhere, or right before a verb? To.
Direction (go to the park), or the to before a verb (I want to eat).
Also, at the end (me too), or more than enough, before an adjective: too hot.
The number 2: two cats, two o'clock.
How to choose
| Question | to | too | two |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is it a number? | No | No | Yes |
| Does it mean also or more than enough? | No | Yes | No |
| Does it point to where or to whom, or come before a verb? | Yes | No | No |
Why it trips people up
Too and two are pronounced the same, and to matches them whenever it's stressed, so the mix-up only shows up in writing. Each has a simple test: a number is two, also or excessive is too, and direction or a verb after it means to.
How they sound
Too and two are both /tuː/. To has a strong form /tuː/, but in normal speech it's usually weak: /tə/ before a consonant, as in to go.
- to/tə, tuː/
- too/tuː/
- two/tuː/
How each one works
To
Direction
We walked to the park.
Before a verb
I want to learn Italian.
Who gets it: to me
Give it to me.
Too
Also, at the end
I like pizza too.
More than enough + adjective
This coffee is too hot.
More than enough: too much
You're working too much.
Two
The number
There are two bathrooms upstairs.
The time
The meeting is at two.
Two of
Two of my friends are coming.
In a conversation
- A:
Want to grab lunch?
- B:
Sure! Can my two coworkers come too?
- A:
Of course. Meet me at the café at one.
- B:
Perfect. See you there!
Common mistakes
Wrong: That's two much sugar.
Right: That's too much sugar.
Too much means more than enough; two is the number 2.
Wrong: I'm going two the gym later.
Right: I'm going to the gym later.
Direction takes to; two is the number 2.
Memory trick
Too has an extra o, for something extra. Two has a w, like twin: there are two of them. To is the plain one.
It depends
- Too or also
- Too usually goes at the end and is more common than also in casual speech. The too, also, as well page covers the rest.
FAQ
Is it 'me to' or 'me too'?
Me too. Here the word means also, so it takes two o's. To with one o is for direction or before a verb.
To much or too much?
Too much, because too is the word that means more than enough: too much noise, too many people.