Difference between: To, Too and Two

Words that have the same pronunciation but different spellings and meanings are called homophones . Like ‘to’, ‘too’ and ‘two’. All three words are pronounced the same way but there is nothing else that is common between them except the pronunciation.

TO
A preposition of movement or direction. It indicates the place you arrive at as a result of moving.
E.g.

• I will take a taxi to the airport.

From X to Y, here ‘To’ refers to the end point of a time period.

E.g.

• The office is open from 8.30am to 6.30pm.

It identifies the person or thing affected or receiving something.
E.g.

• I gave a present to my friend Preeti.

Can be used to show a change of state, condition or quality.
E.g.

• We waited for the traffic lights to change from red to green.

Can be used as the first part of an infinitive (To + Verb = Infinitive). Notice when two verbs are together, the second verb is in the infinitive form (except Modal verbs and To Be)
E.g.

• Next year I want to spend six months in Europe.

TOO
It is used before an adjective or an adverb for reinforcement to mean ‘very’ or ‘more than’.
E.g.

• This dress is too big for me.

(too + adjective)
Can be used as an adverb to mean ‘also’ or ‘in addition’
E.g.

• She has been to Switzerland too.

(= also)
Too much and too many refer to an excessive amount of something.
E.g.

• Too much

(+ uncountable noun)

• Too many

(+ plural noun)

• Sorry, I can’t go. I have too much work to do.
• There were too many people in the room.

TWO
Only used as a number. Two = 2
E.g.

• There are two cars in the car park.
• I can speak two languages, English and Spanish.

Since these words are so different in their meanings, they may sound similar but they can also be used in a single sentence altogether.
E.g.

• It is too late to buy two bottles of water.
• Don’t be too late, we have to go out for lunch at two.