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to ~ too ~ two

[‘too’ and ‘two’ have the same pronunciation, with a long “oo” sound; ‘to’ on the other hand, has a short sound when used with consonants (b, c, d, g, k, …) and a long sound which rhymes with ‘too’ and ‘two’ when used with vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and rarely, when used with a strong intonation, has a long ‘oo’ sound]

To”, as a preposition, is ‘used to tell or show someone where someone else or something goes or moves, the position of someone or something in relation to something else’; as an adverb, it is ‘(used mostly of a door or lid) to make something close or almost close; (in grammar – used with a verb in its infinite form to make it “to-infinitive”; some grammarians call the word ‘to’ in this usage “particle” and some “infinitive maker”— but not a preposition)’,

e.g.

He walked to the market.     [‘to’ – preposition]

The baby pushed the fridge door to.      [‘to’ – adverb]

I don’t know how to get there.     [‘to’ + get – ‘to-infinitive verb form’]

He offered to help me, but I refused to accept it.     [‘to’ + help & ‘to’ + accept – ‘to-infinitive verb forms’]

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Too” (adverb) is ‘(of something & in the negative sense) more than that is good for acceptable or possible; also’,

e.g.

The music at the party was too loud to enjoy.     [i.e. very loud]

“I love you.”     →   → “I love you, too.”      [i.e. "I also love you."]

There are too many people below poverty line in the present world.    [i.e. very many people]

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Two” (cardinal number) is ‘the number 2’,

e.g.

I haven’t seen him for two years.

It’s two O’clock now.

I have two brothers and two sisters.

Compare:

She is too young to understand that two and two make four.

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About the Author:BC Kumar

BC Kumar, an English Language Teacher, taught in numerous countries including Ethiopia, Oman and India, shares his knowledge and passion for the English Language. Disclaimer: This is a free educational website and all content has been compiled by the author. All copyrights to images and videos belong to their respective owners.

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