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to

prepositioninfinitive markeradverb
UK
/tə/
US
/tə/
A1preposition

in the direction of something; towards something

I walked to the office.

It fell to the ground.

It was on the way to the station.

He's going to Paris.

my first visit to Africa

He pointed to something on the opposite bank.

Her childhood was spent travelling from place to place.

A1preposition

as far as something

The meadows lead down to the river.

Her hair fell to her waist.

A1preposition

located in the direction mentioned from something

Place the cursor to the left of the first word.

There are mountains to the north.

A1preposition

used to show the person or thing that receives something

He gave it to his sister.

I'll explain to you where everything goes.

I am deeply grateful to my parents.

Who did she address the letter to?

(formal) To whom did she address the letter?

A1preposition

used to show the end or limit of a range or period of time

a drop in profits from $105 million to around $75 million

I'd say he was 25 to 30 years old (= approximately 25 or 30 years old).

I like all kinds of music from opera to reggae.

We only work from Monday to Friday.

I watched the programme from beginning to end.

A1preposition

before the start of something

How long is it to lunch?

(especially British English) It's five to ten (= five minutes before ten o'clock).

A1preposition

reaching a particular state

The vegetables were cooked to perfection.

He tore the letter to pieces.

She sang the baby to sleep.

The letter reduced her to tears (= made her cry).

His expression changed from amazement to joy.

A1preposition

used to show the person or thing that is affected by an action

She is devoted to her family.

What have you done to your hair?

A1preposition

used to show that two things are attached or connected

Attach this rope to the front of the car.

A1preposition

used to show a relationship between one person or thing and another

She's married to an Italian.

the Japanese ambassador to France

the key to the door

the solution to this problem

A1preposition

directed towards; in connection with

It was a threat to world peace.

She made a reference to her recent book.

A1preposition

used to introduce the second part of a comparison or ratio

I prefer walking to climbing.

The industry today is nothing to what it once was.

We won by six goals to three.

B1preposition

used to show a quantity or rate

There are 2.54 centimetres to an inch.

This car does 30 miles to the gallon.

B1preposition

in honour of somebody/something

a monument to the soldiers who died in the war

Let's drink to Julia and her new job.

B1preposition

used to show somebody’s attitude or reaction to something

His music isn't really to my taste.

To her astonishment, he smiled.

B1preposition

used to show what somebody’s opinion or feeling about something is

It sounded like crying to me.

preposition

while something else is happening or being done

He left the stage to prolonged applause.

preposition

used after verbs of movement to mean ‘with the intention of giving something’

People rushed to her rescue and picked her up.

A1infinitive marker

used to show purpose or intention

I set out to buy food.

I am going to tell you a story.

She was determined to do well.

His aim was to become president.

To be honest with you, I don't remember what he said.

A1infinitive marker

used to show the result of something

She managed to escape.

It was too hot to go out.

He couldn't get close enough to see.

A1infinitive marker

used to show the cause of something

I'm sorry to hear that.

A1infinitive marker

used to show an action that you want or are advised to do

I'd love to go to France this summer.

The leaflet explains how to apply for a place.

I don't know what to say.

A1infinitive marker

used to show something that is known or reported about a particular person or thing

The house was said to be haunted.

A1infinitive marker

used to show that one action immediately follows another

I reached the station only to find that my train had already left.

infinitive marker

used to show that you must or should do something

You are not to talk during the exam.

She was to be here at 8.30 but she didn't arrive.

adverb

in or into a closed position

Push the door to.

adverb

backwards and forwards

She rocked the baby to and fro.