Where to use 'TO'. Different uses of 'TO'. All you need to know about 'TO'

 

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To is a preposition, infinitive maker and an adverb.

1) Used in the direction of something:
For example:
1. He walked to the office.
2. He fell to the road.
3. She was on the way to the market.
4. John pointed to something on the opposite market.
5. Our childhood was spent travelling from place to place.

2) Situated in the direction mentioned from something:
For example:
1.Place the book to the left of the bag.
2. There is a river to the north.

3) As far as something:
For example:
1. The road leads down to the river.
2. Her hair fell to her waist.

4) Reaching a particular state:
For example:
1.The vegetables were cooked to perfection.
2. He tore the letter to pieces.
3. He sang the baby to sleep.
4. The email reduced him to tears.

5) Used to show the end or limit of a range or period of time:
For example:
1. A drop in profits from $200 million to $150 million.
2. I'd say she was 35 to 40 years old.
3. I like all kinds of music from classical to modern
4. She watched the programme from beginning to end.

6) Before the start of something:
For example:
1. How long is it to dinner?
2. It is ten to five.

7) Used to show the person or thing that receives something:
For example:
1. She gave it to my brother.
2. I will explain to you where everything goes.
3. I am deeply grateful to him.
4. Who did she address the letter to?

8) Used to show the person or thing that is affected by an action:
For example:
1. He is devoted to his project.
2. What has she done to her hair?

9) Used to show that two things are attached or connected:
1. Attach this wire to the TV.

10) Used to show a relationship between one person or thing and another:
For example:
1. He is married to an American.
2. The Russian ambassador to India.
3. The solution to his problem.

11) Directed towards; concerning:
For example:
1. Terrorism is a threat to world peace.
2. He made reference to his recent article.

12) Used to introduce the second part of a comparison:
For example:
1. She prefers walking to climbing.
2. The tourism today is nothing to what it once was.
3. She won by six goals to two.

13) Used to show a quantity or rate:
For example:
1. There are 2.54 centimetres to an inch.
2. This motorbike does 65 miles to a gallon.

14) In honour of something or somebody:
For example:
1. A monument to the martyrs who died in the war.
2. Let's drink to Nasser and his new English Academy.

15) While something else is happening or being done:
For example:
1. She left the stage to prolonged applause.

16) Used after verbs of movement to mean 'with the intention of giving something':
For example:
1. People rushed to his rescue and picked him up.

17) Used to show somebody's attitude or reaction to something:
For example:
1. His music isn't really to our taste.
2. To my astonishment, she smiled.

18) Used to show what somebody's opinion or feeling about something is:
For example:
1. It sounded like a blast to me.

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Contributed by Nasser Gorsi