What is “to” and how is it used in English?

Let’s examine the rules for using “to” in the English language. The word “to” can belong to different parts of speech depending on the context. Here are some of the most common uses, explanations, and examples:

• Preposition – a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. The preposition “to” can indicate direction, purpose, recipient, time period, approximate amount, etc. For example: “She went to the park.”

• Adverb – a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. The adverb “to” can indicate direction, movement, change of state, etc. For example: “He came to and opened his eyes.”

• Particle – a word that does not belong to the main parts of speech but serves an auxiliary function. The particle “to” can be part of the infinitive form of a verb (to-infinitive) or part of a phrasal verb. For example: “I want to learn English.” “He turned to me and smiled.”

  • When “to” is part of the infinitive form of a verb (to-infinitive), it always comes before the verb in its base form. For example: “She wants to learn English.”
  • When “to” is part of a phrasal verb, it comes after the verb and before a noun or pronoun. For example: “He turned to me and smiled.”

In addition, “to” has some other common uses:

• With comparatives, to indicate the result or extent of a comparison: “She is taller to me now.”
• In the infinitive phrase “to be + adjective/noun” to indicate a future state or purpose: “I have a speech to write for tomorrow.”
• After certain verbs like “try,” “plan,” “decide,” etc. to introduce their following infinitive: “I decided to take a vacation.”
• After certain adjectives to introduce their following infinitive: “I was happy to help them.”
• To indicate ratio, rate, or proportion: “The ratio was 10 to 1.”

Functions of “to” in English

In English, “to” can have different meanings and functions. Here are some of them:

• “To” can be a preposition indicating direction or destination of movement. For example: “Let’s go to the mall.”
• “To” can be a preposition indicating the recipient of an action. For example: “I gave the keys to Jane.”
• “To” can be a preposition indicating time. For example: “It’s ten to six.”
• “To” can be a preposition indicating an approximate amount or quantity. For example: “There were forty to fifty people at the meeting.”
• “To” can be part of the infinitive form of a verb (to-infinitive). For example: “I want to see that film.”
• “To” can express purpose or reason. For example: “He bought some flowers to give to his wife.”
• “To” can be part of the infinitive form of a verb (to-infinitive) used after certain verbs like want, need, like, try, learn, decide, agree, promise, offer, refuse, etc. For example: “She wants to learn English.”
• “To” can be part of the infinitive form of a verb (to-infinitive) used after certain adjectives like happy, sad, glad, ready, eager, able, willing, etc. For example: “He is happy to help you.”
• “To” can be part of the infinitive form of a verb (to-infinitive) used after certain nouns like plan, idea, attempt, desire, wish, hope, etc. For example: “It was a good idea to call him.”
• “To” can introduce an infinitive verb expressing purpose or reason. For example: “She went to the library to study.”
• “To” can introduce an infinitive verb expressing result or consequence. For example: “He worked hard to pass the exam.”
• “To” can introduce an infinitive verb expressing a thought or feeling. For example: “It’s nice to see you again.”

When “To” is Not Used in English

There are some cases where “to” is not used in English. Here are some of the more common ones:

• After modal verbs can, could, may, might, must, should, will, would, “to” is not used before an infinitive. For example: “You should eat more vegetables.”
• After verbs make, let, see, hear, feel, watch, notice, etc., “to” is not used before an infinitive if they are used in the active voice. For example: “She made him do the dishes.”
• After verbs like dare, need, help, etc., “to” may or may not be used before an infinitive, depending on whether the verb is used as a modal or a main verb (if modal, then “to” is not used). For example: “He didn’t dare (to) tell her the truth.”
• After verbs go, come, “to” is not used before an infinitive if they are used with certain nouns or adverbs denoting types of activity. For example: “She went shopping yesterday.”
• Perception verbs like hear, see, feel, watch can also be used without “to” before a following infinitive. For example: “I saw him leave.”

In summary, “to” is often omitted before infinitives when used after modal verbs, certain active verbs, and some verbs of movement or perception. Paying attention to these patterns can help choose when to include or omit “to” in a sentence.

Use of “To” With Different Verb Tenses in English

Let’s look at how the word “to” is used with different verb tenses in English:

Infinitive:

• to study

Simple Present:

• I need to study every day.

Present Continuous:

• She is planning to be studying at this time tomorrow.

Present Perfect:

• They have decided to have studied all the necessary materials by now.

Simple Past:

• He wanted to study abroad last year.

Past Continuous:

• She was supposed to be studying when I called her.

Past Perfect:

• By the time they arrived, she had forgotten to study for the test.

Simple Future:

• They plan to study together next weekend.

Future Continuous:

• At 8 PM tomorrow, they will likely be studying for their exams.

Future Perfect:

• By the end of this month, they will have managed to study all the necessary topics.

These examples demonstrate how the word “to” can be used with all the main verb tenses in English. A few key points:

• With continuous tenses, “to be” is used rather than just “to”
• In past/future perfect tenses, the infinitive is generally used without “to”
• Otherwise, “to” is simply added before the basic infinitive form

Paying attention to these patterns can help ensure proper use of “to” in compound tenses.

Using “To” With Modal Verbs

Modal verbs with “to” – these are verbs that express possibility, necessity, obligation, advice, permission, prohibition or desire. Most modal verbs do not use “to” after them. Here are some common examples:

• can – expresses ability, permission or offer. For example: “He can play the guitar.”
• could – expresses past ability, permission, offer or hypothetical action. For example: “She could speak three languages when she was six.”
• may – expresses possibility, permission, offer or wish. For example: “You may take a book from the library.”
• might – expresses lower possibility, permission, offer, wish or hypothetical action. For example: “It might rain tomorrow.”
• must – expresses necessity, obligation, order, advice, certainty or prohibition. For example: “You must do your homework.”
• should – expresses advice, recommendation, moral obligation, expectation or possibility. For example: “You should eat more vegetables.”
• will – expresses future time, willingness, intention, offer, prediction or request. For example: “I will call you later.”
• would – expresses conditional time, willingness, intention, offer, prediction, request or past habit. For example: “I would go with you if I had time.”

However, some are used with a lexical verb’s infinitive with the particle “to”. Here are some common examples:

• have to – expresses necessity or obligation arising from circumstances or rules. For example: “I have to wear a uniform at school.”
• ought to – expresses advice, recommendation or moral obligation. For example: “You ought to study harder for the exam.”
• be to – expresses a plan, appointment, arrangement or order. For example: “She is to leave tomorrow.”
• be able to – expresses an ability or capability. For example: “He is able to speak five languages.”

Examples and Explanations for Understanding the Use of “To” in English

1. He wants to buy a new car.

   • Explanation: In the infinitive construction after the verb “wants,” “to” is used before the following infinitive verb.

2. We encouraged them to apply for the job.

   • Explanation: “Encouraged” is a verb that requires “to” before the following infinitive verb.

3. I reminded him to lock the door before leaving.

   • Explanation: “Reminded” is another verb that requires “to” before the next infinitive verb.

4. She offered to help organize the party.

   • Explanation: “Offered” takes “to” before the infinitive verb that follows it.

5. You need to be more careful when driving at night.

   • Explanation: In this case, “need” requires “to be” instead of just “to” before the next infinitive verb.

6. I saw him cross the road hurriedly.

   • Explanation: After a perception verb like “saw,” “to” is not used before the next infinitive verb.

7. We let the kids stay up late last night.

   • Explanation: The verb “let” omits “to” before the following infinitive verb.

8. She seems to know a lot about architecture.

   • Explanation: With the verb “seems,” “to” is required before the infinitive verb.

9. I hope to travel more once I retire.

   • Explanation: Here “to” expresses purpose or intent for future travel plans.

10. You ought to consider all your options first.

    • Explanation: “Ought to” is a modal expression that requires “to” before the infinitive verb.