These three words sound the same in many accents, but they serve different grammar jobs. To most often marks direction or an infinitive verb. Too expresses “also” or “more than needed.” Two is the number 2, used for counting and quantities.

Use to to show movement, direction, or a destination. It commonly appears after verbs like go, come, walk, travel, and send. It can also show a target or recipient of an action, especially with give, bring, hand, and explain.

Rule	Example
Use to for destination after movement verbs.	We went to the park.
Use to for a recipient or target.	She gave the keys to her sister.
Use to for direction in phrases like to the left, to the right.	Turn to the right.

Use to before the base form of a verb to create the infinitive: to + verb. Infinitives can express purpose, plans, decisions, or what someone wants or needs. Many verbs are naturally followed by an infinitive, such as want, need, hope, decide, and plan.

Rule	Example
Use to + base verb for purpose.	I called to ask a question.
Use to + base verb after verbs like want, need, decide.	They decided to leave early.
Use to + base verb after adjectives like happy, ready, hard.	I am ready to start.

Use to in time expressions to show a point up to a limit, often in telling time or schedules. It commonly appears as X minutes to Y o’clock, meaning the time is before the next hour. It can also show a range, like from Monday to Friday.

Rule	Example
Use to for time before an hour.	It is ten to six.
Use from … to … for ranges.	The office is open from Monday to Friday.

Use too to mean “also” or “as well.” In this meaning, it often appears at the end of a sentence, but it can also appear after the subject for emphasis. Too connects an extra person, thing, or fact to what was already said.

Rule	Example
Put too at the end to mean also.	I want to go too.
Put too after the subject for emphasis.	She too agreed.

Use too to mean “more than needed” or “more than is good.” This too usually comes before an adjective or adverb, or before much or many. It often implies a problem or negative result, and it commonly pairs with to in patterns like too + adjective + to + verb.

Rule	Example
Use too before an adjective or adverb for excess.	This soup is too hot.
Use too much with uncountable nouns.	There is too much sugar.
Use too many with countable plural nouns.	He gets too many emails.
Use too + adjective + to + verb for an impossible or difficult result.	It is too far to walk.

Use two for the number 2 in counting, quantities, and measurements. It modifies plural nouns and answers “how many.” It also appears in set phrases and number-based expressions.

Rule	Example
Use two before a plural noun.	I bought two apples.
Use two for measurements and time.	The meeting lasts two hours.
Use two in common quantity phrases.	She has two choices.

The three words appear in different typical positions because they have different functions. To usually comes before a noun phrase or a verb in the infinitive. Too meaning also often goes at the end or after the subject. Two usually comes before a plural noun or stands alone as a number.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
to + place	destination or direction	We drove to Boston.
to + verb	infinitive form	I need to sleep.
too at end	also or as well	I like it too.
too + adjective	excessive amount or degree	It is too loud.
2️⃣ two + noun	quantity of two	2️⃣ Two tickets, please.

Pick the word by identifying the meaning you need. If it introduces a destination, direction, or infinitive verb, use to. If it means also or an excessive degree, use too. If it is the number 2, use two.

Rule	Example
If you can ask where or which direction, use to.	She went to work.
If a verb follows and it means purpose or plan, use to.	He stayed to help.
If it means also, use too.	Can I come too?
If it means more than needed, use too.	You are driving too fast.
If it answers how many, use two.	We need two chairs.

In many varieties of English, to, too, and two can sound the same in careful speech. In fast speech, to is often reduced and may sound like a weaker vowel, especially before a verb. Too and two usually keep a stronger vowel sound, especially when stressed.

Rule	Description	Notation	Example
Reduced to	In fast speech, to before a verb is often unstressed and reduced.	tə or tʊ	I want to go.
Stressed too	Too often stays strong when it means also or excessive.	tuː	It is too cold.
Stressed two	Two is usually stressed when counting or giving quantities.	tuː	Two coffees, please.