Common Grammar Mistakes - To vs. Too

Part two in the "Common Grammar Mistakes" series.  Last time we talked about "loose" vs. "lose".  Here, we discuss another common grammar mishap.

To vs. Too
These two words have completely different usages, even though they sound the same.  Here is a quick way to remember the difference:  

If you are talking about an excess amount or an additional item, use “too”.  In all other cases, use “to”.

Too is always used to indicate something additional or excessive, or if you can substitute the word "entirely".

Examples of excess:

• I ate too much food.
• The mountain is too big.
• I have too much work to do.

Examples of additional items:
Hint: if you can substitute the word “as well”, then you should use “too”.

• He brought his bag too. (He brought his bag as well)
• Don’t forget to buy me a ticket too! (Don’t forget to buy me a ticket as well!)

One more usage of “too” is when you can substitute the word “entirely”. For example:

• I wasn’t too sure of what to do. (I wasn’t entirely sure of what to do)
• I am not too confident in my abilities. (I am not entirely confident in my abilities)

To is a preposition or is used before a verb.

• I got up and went to school.
• He sailed to the other end of the world.
• To eat is to live.
• I didn’t watch the movie because I didn’t want to have bad dreams.

Examples of both "to" and "too":

• When we said we were going to the game, Matt said he wanted to come too.  (“to the game” – preposition; “too” – Matt is the additional item)

Next, we will talk about "their" vs. "there" vs. "they're".