to

Everyday

1. To shows where something goes or who gets it: «go to school», «give it to Sam». tree →
2. To shows the end of a range: «from 5 to 9», «from Monday to Friday». tree →
3. To comes before a verb: «I want to play». tree →
4. To is used in telling the time: «ten to six» means 10 minutes before six. tree →
5. To compares numbers in a ratio or a score: «3 to 2». tree →
6. (casual) «to» joins with verbs in quick speech: «gonna» (going to), «wanna» (want to), «hafta» (have to), «gotta» (got to); texts write «2» for «to». tree →
7. (formal) Exams say «in order to», «with a view to», «pursuant to», «in respect of» and «transfer to». tree →
8. To can show what something results in: «the storm led to flooding». tree →

In the lessons

who receives in giving; the end of a count or a time; «ten to six» is a time; phrases: «give to», «from … to …», «next to», «up to», «add to», «to and fro»; in casual talk «gonna», «wanna», «gotta», «c u 2nite»; in rough talk «go to your room», «talk to the hand»; in the exam voice «in order to», «transferred to», «up to and including», «in the ratio 3 to 2»

Examples

• Anna gives 7 shells to a friend. tree →
• Count from 5 to 9. tree →
• We walk to school every day. tree →
• I want to learn to swim. tree →
• It is ten to six, so dinner is soon. tree →
• Add 4 to 6 to get 10. tree →
• The shop is open from 9 to 5. tree →
• We won 3 to 2! tree →
• I'm gonna give 3 to my brother, wanna come? tree →
• Go to your room and don't come out till you've done the 10 sums. tree →
• Seven shells are transferred to a second party. Ascertain the quantity retained, given an initial holding of 15. tree →
• Count up to and including 20. tree →
• False confidence often leads to disaster. tree →

Note

«A gives N to B»: A has N fewer, B has N more. Trap: «from 5 to 9» counts 5 numbers, not 4. Trap: «to», «too» (also, very) and «two» (2) sound the same; in texts «2» may mean «to» or «too», not the number. «up to and including 20» counts 20 too. «in order to» means just «to».

In Jewish tradition

who receives in giving; the end of a count or a time; «ten to six» is a time; phrases: «give to», «from … to …», «next to», «up to», «add to», «to and fro»; in casual talk «gonna», «wanna», «gotta», «c u 2nite»; in rough talk «go to your room», «talk to the hand»; in the exam voice «in order to», «transferred to», «up to and including», «in the ratio 3 to 2»

Examples

• And from the wilderness to Mattanah; (Torah NUM.21.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• And they shall hearken to thy voice. (Torah EXO.3.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• one he-goat, to make atonement for you. (Torah NUM.28.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• Is it not wheat harvest to-day? (Prophets 1SA.12.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying: (Prophets 1KI.5.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Hath God forgotten to be gracious? (Writings PSA.77.10, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«A gives N to B»: A has N fewer, B has N more. Trap: «from 5 to 9» counts 5 numbers, not 4. Trap: «to», «too» (also, very) and «two» (2) sound the same; in texts «2» may mean «to» or «too», not the number. «up to and including 20» counts 20 too. «in order to» means just «to».