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To

To is a preposition. It is also used as part of the infinitive (the to-infinitive):

  • Does this train go to Cambridge? (preposition)
  • I’d like to see that film. (to-infinitive)

To as a preposition: destination or direction​

We can use to as a preposition to indicate a destination or direction:

  • We’re going to Liverpool next week.
  • Does he want to come to the park with us?
  • The dog ran to us as soon as we arrived.

To as a preposition: receiver of an action​

We use to with verbs such as give, hand, send, write, to indicate the person or thing that receives or experiences the object of the verb:

  • I [V] gave [O] the keys to [receiver] Jane.
  • She’s always writing letters to the local newspaper.
See also
  • Complements
  • Objects

To as a preposition: time​

We use to in telling the time, when we refer to the number of minutes before the hour:

  • Her train arrives at quarter to five.
  • It’s ten to six. We’d better leave now or we’ll be late.

We can use to with the meaning of ‘until’ when we are talking about time. We often use it in the expression from … to …:

  • It’s just three days to New Year’s Day.
  • They’re only open from Monday to Friday. They’re closed at the weekend.

To as a preposition: approximate numbers​

We can use to when we refer to an approximate number somewhere between a lower number and a higher number:

  • There were forty to fifty people at the meeting.
  • It’ll probably cost you thirty to thirty-five pounds.

To as a preposition: after nouns​

A number of nouns are followed by to. These include nouns expressing direction or destination such as door, entrance, road, route, way:

  • The door to the main office was open.
  • Is this the way to the airport?

They also include nouns referring to transport, such as bus, coach, ferry, flight, train:

  • The ferry to Santander takes 12 hours.
  • Is this the bus to the stadium?

Nouns expressing reactions and responses are also followed by to. These include answer, key, reaction, reply, response, solution:

  • His reaction to her comments was very aggressive.
  • They don’t seem to be able to find a solution to the problem of global warming yet.

To as a preposition: after verbs​

Some verbs are followed by the preposition to, including be used, get used, listen, look forward, object, reply, respond:

  • We listened to that CD you lent us. It’s great.
  • I object to your remarks.
  • The bank hasn’t replied to my letter yet.
See also
  • Prepositional verbs
  • Phrasal-prepositional verbs

To as a preposition: after adjectives​

Some adjectives connected with people’s behaviour and feelings are followed by to, including cruel, faithful, generous, kind, loyal, nasty:

  • I cannot bear people being cruel to animals.
  • Be kind to her. You’re so nasty to her!
  • Many individuals have been loyal to the Conservative Party all their lives.

To: the to-infinitive​

We use to before a verb to make the to-infinitive form:

  • She loves to wear really colourful dresses.
  • I need to leave early today.
  • To get an outside line, you have to dial 9 first.
See also
  • Infinitives with and without to
  • Perfect infinitive with to (to have worked)