Word Usage: Two, Too, To – Research Triangle Publications

I am continuously amazed at the otherwise intelligent, articulate people who misuse these three homophones in their writing. C’mon, folks, we learned this stuff in what–the third grade? Take a minute to refresh your memory.

Two always refers to the number: “We are number two in our division.” Too is a synonym for also (“I’m hungry, too!”), or it is used as an adverb, which means it modifies a verb or an adjective (too hungry, too smart, too doggone tired). To is (almost always) a preposition: “Let’s get to it!” or “I’ve got work to do.” If those distinctions don’t help you, look for something in this list of examples that matches your situation:

Two Too To

She had two children. Motherhood was too much for her. She took the children to her mother's.

There were two gloves in the pair. They were too small for his hands. The judge asked to see them.

Two is not the loneliest number. Can I go, too? We will travel to the moon.

When I was two, I could not read. I was too young. Eventually, I learned to read and write.

I counted off his good qualities: one, two, three. He was sweet, kind, and funny, too. Someday, I hope to marry him.

We two are joined at the hip (meaning, "the two of us are joined"). We, too, are joined at the hip (meaning, "like you, we--any number of us--also are joined"). To join these people in Holy Matrimony...

It was just the two of us. She was too close for comfort. I could never get used to that.

Did the game have two periods, or three? They were too near the goal line. The score was five to seven.

Two	Too	To
She had two children.	Motherhood was too much for her.	She took the children to her mother's.
There were two gloves in the pair.	They were too small for his hands.	The judge asked to see them.
Two is not the loneliest number.	Can I go, too?	We will travel to the moon.
When I was two, I could not read.	I was too young.	Eventually, I learned to read and write.
I counted off his good qualities: one, two, three.	He was sweet, kind, and funny, too.	Someday, I hope to marry him.
We two are joined at the hip (meaning, "the two of us are joined").	We, too, are joined at the hip (meaning, "like you, we--any number of us--also are joined").	To join these people in Holy Matrimony...
It was just the two of us.	She was too close for comfort.	I could never get used to that.
Did the game have two periods, or three?	They were too near the goal line.	The score was five to seven.