Two, to or too?

I've been slack with blogging, I know, but I think it's time to start helping out with some grammar basics. So let me start with one that has plagued many and runs rampant and unchecked across social media.

Two, to or too?

The easiest to differentiate is 'two'. Spelled this way it means the number 2. This can be remembered by the two 'v's that form the 'w' in the middle.

EXAMPLE: 'I picked two apples off the tree.'

Easy!

The harder difference lies between 'to' and 'too'. 'To' is most commonly a preposition - a word used to link others in a sentence by indicating relationship. There are long definitions and variations, but for simplicity's sake I tend to think of it as the 'short one'. It's the word you tend to skip over in your sentences, the one you hardly notice since the purpose of the sentence lies either side of it. Consider how many times 'to' appears in this one paragraph - did you notice it as you read it?

EXAMPLE: 'I walked closer to the tree.'

The easiest way to remember this one is by cancelling out use of the others.

So how should you use 'too' in a sentence?

'Too' has an extra 'o' to emphasise that it represents something extra.

EXAMPLE: 'I had too many apples.' or 'My sister wanted an apple, too.'

'Too' is an adverb used when communicating that something is excessive, or additional. Unlike 'to', 'too' is more drawn out when spoken, and is a word of emphasis that adds to the point being made. When used to imply something additional, it is most often used at the end of a sentence or after a comma.

EXAMPLE:

'He, too, chose an apple.' or 'He chose an apple, too.'

So here's the cheat sheet! TWO: Two 'v's make up the w in 'two': number.

TOO: An extra 'o' for something extra: adverb.

TO: A short word often overlooked: preposition. Connection.

Test yourself! Work out which word best fits the sentence: 'He was driving ____ fast.'

'There were ____ seats left.'

'Do you know how ____ get there?'

'I ate ____ much.' 'You can do it, ____'

'____ halves make a whole.'

'It's best ____ keep quiet.'

'____ apples were not enough; there were ____ many people ____ share them.'

Hopefully this will help someone out there! :)