English Profile

to · infinitive marker

/tuː/Full view

to (INFINITIVE)

A1 used with a verb to make an infinitive

Dictionary examples:

She agreed to help.

We were starting to feel cold.

I don't know what to do.

Can you tell me how to get there?

It's not likely to happen.

He told me to wait.

Did anyone ask Daniel to book the room?

There's an awful lot of work to be done.

I need to eat something first.

Learner example:

She likes to go shopping with friend[s]. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Bulgarian)

to (REASON)

A2 used to give the purpose of something or the reason for doing something

Dictionary examples:

I'm going there to see my sister.

This tool is used to make holes in leather.

Learner example:

Dear Robbie, I'm writing to tell you some information about what we['re going to] do. (Key English Test; A2; Greek)

to (INSTEAD OF VERB)

A2 used instead of repeating a verb clause

Dictionary examples:

"Are you going tonight?" "I'm certainly hoping to."

"Would you like to come?" "I'd love to."

Learner example:

Yes, I'd love to. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

to say the least

C1 used to emphasize that you could have said something in a much stronger way

Dictionary example:

We were surprised, to say the least.

Learner example:

You get slightly bored, to say the least. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)

to do so

C1 if you do this, or if this is done

Dictionary examples:

They want to build a completely new school, but to do so would cost far too much.

I would strongly advise you against taking out a loan of this size. To do so would be a great risk to your business.

Learner example:

It is generally believed that if [a] better education is provided, children are better prepared for adult life. To do so, money is essential. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Japanese)

to spare

C1 If you have time, money, etc. to spare, you have more than you need.

Dictionary example:

I arrived at the station with more than an hour to spare.

Learner example:

I even started to do the shopping on the Net, and I think this is the perfect solution for the busines[s] woman with family and little time to spare. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Italian)

to go

C2 If there is a particular amount of time to go, that time remains.

Dictionary example:

There are only two weeks of term to go.

Learner example:

Right now this example is very realistic, and as I have just been told there is only 15 min to go, my stress level, I have to admit, is too high. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)

to · preposition

/tuː/

to (PLACE)

A1 used to talk about a place or an event where someone goes

Dictionary examples:

We went to Prague last year.

We could go to town on the bus.

I have to go to the dentist this morning.

We received another invitation to a wedding this morning.

I've asked Helen and Ben to dinner next week.

You can walk from here to the station in under ten minutes.

She walked over to the window.

He went up to a complete stranger and started talking.

Learner example:

I like go[ing] to London. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Portuguese)

to (TELLING THE TIME)

A1 used to say 'before' the hour when you are saying what time it is

Dictionary example:

It's five to three.

from ... to ...

A2 used to give information about periods of time

Dictionary example:

The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday.

Learner example:

We have the class on Monday from 9 o'clock to 10 o'clock in the morning. (Key English Test; A2; Catalan)

to (RECEIVING)

A2 used to show who receives something or experiences an action

Dictionary examples:

I gave the money to my sister.

Give the gun to me.

Anna was speaking to her mother on the phone.

I lent my bike to my brother.

Who's the letter addressed to?

Learner example:

Please bring it to me tomorrow, because I have to return it to my brother. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

to (POSITION)

B1 used to show the position of someone or something

Dictionary examples:

She stood with her back to the window.

I had my back to them, so I couldn't see what they were doing.

John's standing to the left of Adrian in the photo.

The Yorkshire Dales are twenty miles to the north of the city.

Learner example:

My town is situated to the south of Paris. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

to (AFFECTED)

B1 used to say who is treated in a particular way or who or what is affected by something

Dictionary examples:

What have you done to your hair?

Her evidence was very helpful to the police.

She was very kind to us.

Learner example:

The waiter was really kind to us. We gave him the key of the car and he drove us home. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

to (RELATIONSHIP)

B1 used to show a relationship with someone

Dictionary examples:

I've been married to Peter for nine years.

She was an assistant to the chief executive.

Learner example:

She's 38 years old and she's married to a Spanish engineer. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

to (COMPARE)

B1 used to compare two things

Dictionary examples:

I prefer football to cricket.

She's earning a reasonable wage, but nothing to what she could make in a big company.

Learner example:

I prefer homemade food to re[s]taurant meals. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Russian)

to (UNTIL)

B1 until a particular time, state or level is reached

Dictionary examples:

It's only two weeks to Christmas.

Unemployment has risen to almost eight million.

She nursed me back to health.

to (CONNECTED)

B1 used to say where something is fastened or connected

Dictionary examples:

The paper was fastened to the wall with tape.

A fast rail service connects us to the city.

Learner example:

My mouth became so dry that my tongue stuck to my palate. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

to (RANGE)

B2 used in phrases which show a range

Dictionary example:

There must have been thirty to thirty-five people there.

to date ()

B2 up to the present time

Dictionary example:

This is her best work to date.

Learner example:

I enclose a copy of my curriculum vitae, which will give you further details about my career to date. (First Certificate in English; B2; Italian)

to my mind

B2 used to emphasize that you are giving your own opinion

Dictionary example:

To my mind, the play was rather disappointing.

Learner example:

To my mind, The Picture of Dorian Gray is probably his best novel. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

to the contrary

C1 saying or showing the opposite

Dictionary example:

She claimed she hadn't been involved, despite evidence to the contrary.

Learner example:

Despite claims to the contrary, young people [are] get[ting] more involved in sport[s] activities. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Catalan)

to sb's disappointment/relief/surprise, etc.

C2 used to say that someone feels disappointed/relieved/surprised, etc by something

Dictionary example:

To Pierre's disappointment, Monique wasn't at the party.

Learner example:

However, much to my relief, in the end they reached the main square again and all went to the surrounding bars to celebrate the feast in a more relaxed way. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)

to death

C2 until you die

Dictionary example:

He was beaten to death by a gang of youths.

Learner example:

She would have been trampled to death as the stampede of furious fans came over her. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

to all intents and purposes

C2 in all the most important ways

Dictionary example:

To all intents and purposes, the project was a disaster.

Learner example:

To all intents and purposes, the qualities needed to achieve success are based on the same ideas. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

to the point

C2 If something someone says or writes is to the point, it expresses the most important things without extra details.

Dictionary example:

His report was short and to the point.

to sb's satisfaction

C2 as well as someone wants

Dictionary example:

He won't get paid until he completes the job to my satisfaction.

Learner example:

Should this matter not be solved to my satisfaction, I will have no choice but to place it in the hands of my solicitor. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)