to
To (particle) means used before a verb to form the infinitive. Example: “She wants to travel next summer.”
How to use to
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne of English's most basic words, showing direction, purpose, or a limit — used constantly with verbs, places, and outcomes.
Don't confuse with "too" (also/excessively) or "two" (the number) — all three sound identical but mean completely different things.
Word forms
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She wants _____ travel next summer.
Etymology
From Old English tō, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to" — a very old, core function word with cognates across most Germanic languages.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “to” mean?
How do you pronounce “to”?
How do you use “to” in a sentence?
What part of speech is “to”?
Where does the word “to” come from?
Is “to” a common word?
How many meanings does “to” have?
What is the difference between "to" and "too"?
What is the difference between "to" and "for"?
When is "to" followed by an -ing form instead of a base verb?
Is it wrong to split an infinitive, as in "to boldly go"?
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing to in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Caldwell-Pope, 33, underwent surgery to address a misalignment on his right pinkie finger in February and missed the last 31 games of the season.
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