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'To' is a preposition. However, that is not its only function. In this lesson, we will discover this word and its uses in detail.
To as a preposition is used to show the direction, time, result, people's reaction, etc. Look:
Functions of 'To'
- preposition
- infinitive marker
1. 'To' as a Preposition
Use
To as a preposition has many functions. We have covered them all.
- To is used to show the direction, it has a similar meaning to 'towards, in the direction of.' For example:
I walk
I walk toward the door.
She goes
- To as a preposition is used to introduces a verb complement. It is used with some verbs like say, give, lend. etc. Look:
I say this
I will lend my bike
- To is used for telling time, for example:
It is five minutes
It's ten
- To is used to show the result of an action. Look:
It was torn
smashed
- To is used to show a particular state, time, or level is approached.
two months
It takes time to reach from happiness
- To is used to show a something in connection with something else, look:
He was so mean
her response
- To can head a phrase and show people's reactions to something, like:
- To shows something is attached to something else. Look:
The key is attached
Tie this string
- To shows the position of something is against something else. Look:
cheek
standing back
Position in a Sentence
To as a preposition is used before nouns or pronouns and make prepositional phrases. Look:
Nouns can take determiners.
2. 'To' as an Infinitive Marker
Use
To as an infinitive marker stands before a verb. Take a look at its functions:
- To is used to show purpose or intention:
I want
I asked her
- To is used to indicate the reason/cause of something. Look:
I am glad
She was sorry
- To is used to indicate something that is known, believed, or reported. For example:
a person that people believed
a book that is knows
- To comes before a verb and is used to show the function of something. For example:
a pillow
a glass
- To is used to avoid repeating a verb clause, in the following example, 'I hope to' replaces 'I hope to succeed.'
- To is used after relative pronouns. For example:
I don't know what
She understands how
Tip
To can be used with an infinitive after 'there is' or 'there are' and a noun:
There's a lot of work
Position in a Sentence
'To' as an infinitive marker heads an infinitive verb, look:
She understands how
a person that people believed
Tip
A clause that has 'to' can be used as the subject of a sentence:
'To do that on your own' is the subject.
'To' as an Adverb
To in British English can be an adverb, it is used with 'push/pull the door' and means 'toward a closed position.' Look:
I pushed the door
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