Grammar cops, help me with the rules of "to" vs. "too"

[devilgrrl]

I never did learn the appropriate way of using those TWO words. Can you explain them for us "morans"?

[KeepItReal]

1. "Too" just means "also" or as emphasis

As in "Can I come, too?" and "You are up waaay too late".

Hope that helps.

[shockingelk]

5. Yes. Plus one more usage

It can also indicate a matter of degree, as in "It's too hot."

Here's a fool-proof way to determine if you should use "to" or too":

Substitute it with "also". If the sentence still makes sense, spell it "too". Then substitute it with "very" and if the sentence still makes sense, it's also spelled "too". Otherwise, spell it "to".

[TexasProgresive]

2. A simple test

if you can substitute also and it makes sense then use too.

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/to.html


TO/TOO/TWO

People seldom mix “two” up with the other two; it obviously belongs with words that also begin with TW, like “twice” and “twenty” that involve the number 2. But the other two are confused all the time. Just remember that the only meanings of “too” are “also” ("I want some ice cream too.") and “in excess” ("Your walkman is playing too loudly.") Note that extra O. It should remind you that this word has to do with adding more on to something. “To” is the proper spelling for all the other uses.

Home page:
http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html#t

[scarlet_owl]

3. Sure.

"To" is used for things like "I'm going to bed", "too" is used in things like "I'm going to bed too.". In the latter sentence you can substitute "also" for "too". I hope it helps.

[Bronco69]

4. It goes like this:

To = Direction or purpose (I went to the movies.)

Too = Also or excess (I would like to go too.) (You ask too many questions.)

Two = Quantity (I'll take two of them.)

Hope that helps. :-)

Edit: Forgot to add excess to too. :-)

[HEyHEY]

6. well in Newfoundland all rule smean niothing

So you can say "What are you too?"

[BlueJazz]

7. HeyHey..You Idiot!...It's "What are you Two?" :)

[achtung_circus]

8. No, it's "where are you to"

as in "I'm after going to the store"

[nuxvomica]

9. My to(o) sense

"To" is a preposition that answers the question "Where?"
"Too" is an adverb that answers the question "How much or how many?"

[Speck Tater]

10. Now we're all ready for the difference between "affect" and "effect".

[Hotler]

11. A good reference handbook.

One to keep by your dictionary. "A Writers Reference" by Diana Hacker

[Obamarama]

12. It's pathetic you didn't know this.

Is English your second language perhaps?

[devilgrrl]

13. Yes, it is pathetic that I don't know this...

as I was a rather lousy student. I was confused and too afraid to ask too many questions because the teacher would condescend to me in the same fashion you just have. :P

:evilfrown:

[devilgrrl]

14. BTW - I fully intend on asking more pathetic questions in the future

much to your chagrin I'm sure. :P