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To, too and two

To = direction or verb marker. Too = also / excessively. Two = 2.

to

preposition (to the shop) or infinitive marker (to run)

Test: Is it pointing somewhere or before a verb?

Go to bed.
I want to help.

too

adverb: also, or more than enough

Test: Can you swap in “also” or “very/excessively”?

Me too.
It’s too hot.

two

the number 2

Test: Could you write the digit 2?

Two coffees, please.
In two weeks.

Too has too many o’s: an extra one, just like “excessively”.

Test yourself

Five sentences. Apply the test above to each one before you pick.

I’m going _____ the gym.
This tea is _____ sweet.
We have _____ cats.
Can I come _____?
It’s never _____ late to learn.

Pick an answer for each sentence.

A sentence with all three

“The two of us went to the beach, and the dog came too.” If you can explain each one, you have the rule.

Catch it automatically

The grammar checker flags common mix-ups like this one by looking at the words around them, and the sentence checker can explain any sentence you’re unsure about.

Questions people ask

Is it “me to” or “me too”?

“Me too”, meaning “me also”.

Does TextCheck catch to/too errors?

Yes, the grammar checker flags “to” before words such as much, many, late and big, where “too” is usually meant.

Other grammar guides

Affect vs effectAffect is usually the verb. Effect is usually the noun.Its vs it’sIt’s = it is / it has. Its = belonging to it.Your vs you’reYou’re = you are. Your = belonging to you.Their, there and they’reTheir = belonging to them. There = place / “there is”. They’re = they are.Advice vs adviseAdvice is the noun (rhymes with “nice”). Advise is the verb (rhymes with “prize”).Then vs thanThan compares things. Then tells you when.Whose vs who’sWho’s = who is / who has. Whose = belonging to whom.Principal vs principlePrinciple = a rule or belief. Principal = main, a head person, or a loan amount.Lose vs looseLose = misplace or not win (rhymes with “shoes”). Loose = not tight (rhymes with “goose”).Who vs whomWho does the action (he). Whom receives it (him).I.e. vs e.g.E.g. = for example (some of many). I.e. = that is (the exact thing).Farther vs furtherFarther = physical distance. Further = degree, time or “more”.Everyday vs every dayEveryday = ordinary (an adjective). Every day = each day.Complement vs complimentCompliment = praise. Complement = something that completes or suits.Into vs in toInto = movement inside or a change. In to = “in” (part of a verb) + “to”.Lay vs lieYou lay something down. You lie down yourself.Fewer vs lessFewer for countable things. Less for uncountable amounts.Accept vs exceptAccept = receive or agree to. Except = apart from.