USES OF " TO"

USES OF " TO"

How to Use the Preposition 'To'

'To' is one of the most common prepositions in English. 

The preposition 'to' also a part of the infinitive form of the verb. For example, these are all infinitives:

.....

To do

To play

To sing

Infinitives can be combined with other verbs such as hope, arrange, want, etc.

I hope to see you next week.

Tom arranged to have his sister picked up at the airport.

Your sister wants to help you understand mathematics.

The Preposition 'To' for Movement

• We're flying to San Francisco on Thursday for a meeting.

• We thought we should walk to the bakery for breakfast because it is such a beautiful day.

• The captain sailed to the closest port.

'To' as Time Expression

• The preposition 'to' can also be used to refer to time in the same sense as the time expressions 'till' or 'until'.

• Meridith worked to (OR until, till) five and then left.

• We're going to wait another three weeks to the end of the month.

'From'/'To' Time Expressions

• When a starting time and a finishing time is mentioned, use the preposition 'from' to express the beginning and 'to' for the end.

• We usually work from eight in the morning to five o'clock.

• She played the piano from ten to twelve.

'To' in Phrasal Verbs

• look forward to something

• object to something

• appeal to someone

• get to something

• boil down to something

'To' as Infinitive of Purpose 

The preposition 'to' is used as an infinitive of purpose to mean 'in order to'. For example:

I spent some money (in order) to get some help.

• Susan hasn't worked so hard (in order) to give up!

• Beare, Kenneth. "How to Use the Preposition 'To'." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/how-to-use-preposition-to-1211798.

Verbs followed by the infinitive

Many verbs in English are followed by the infinitive with to. Some of these verbs take the pattern:

Verb + to + infinitiveWe planned to take a holiday.

She decided to stay at home.

Others verbs take the pattern:Verb + noun + to + infinitive

She wanted the children to learn the piano.

I told him to ring the police.

Two very common verbs – make and let – are followed by the infinitive without to. 

They take the pattern:Verb + noun + infinitive

My parents made me come home early.

They wouldn't let me stay out late.

The verb dare can be followed by the infinitive with or without to:Verb (+ to) + infinitive

I didn't dare (to) go out after dark.

verb + to + infinitiveSome verbs are followed by the infinitive with to:

I decided to go home as soon as possible.We all wanted to have more English classes.

verb + noun + to + infinitive

Some verbs are followed by a noun and the infinitive with to:She asked him to send her a text message.He wanted all his friends to come to his party.Common verbs with this pattern are:

Many of the verbs above are sometimes followed by a passive infinitive (to be + past participle):

I expected to be met when I arrived at the station.They wanted to be told if anything happened.I don't like driving myself. I prefer to be driven.

Open Ended

At University , it’s important to …

Open Ended

To be good at a sport, you need to …

Open Ended

If you are looking for a new job, it is a good idea to …

Open Ended

People in my town are usually happy to …