To

Pronunciation: /tuː/

Definitions of to

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. In this case, 'to' shows the direction or movement toward a specific location or goal.

Example Sentences

A1 I like to go for walks in the park.

A2 She needs to study for her exams.

B1 He decided to take up a new hobby.

B2 I have to attend a meeting tomorrow.

C1 In order to succeed, one must work hard.

C2 To fully understand the concept, one must delve deeper into the subject.

Examples of to in a Sentence

formal It is important to adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by the company.

informal I need to remember to pick up some groceries on the way home.

slang I have to bounce if I want to make it to the party on time.

figurative She held on to hope, knowing that things would eventually get better.

Grammatical Forms of to

• past tense: tooked
• plural: tos
• comparative: more to
• superlative: most to
• present tense: to
• future tense: will to
• perfect tense: have to
• continuous tense: am toing
• singular: to
• positive degree: very to
• infinitive: to
• gerund: toing
• participle: toed

Origin and Evolution of to

First Known Use: 1000 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'to' originated from the Old English word 'to' meaning 'in the direction of' or 'at, in, or into a place or position'.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'to' has evolved to serve various grammatical functions in English, including as a preposition, adverb, or part of an infinitive verb form. Its usage has become integral to the structure of English sentences and is essential for indicating direction, purpose, comparison, and more.