to
Use to before a verb: to go, to eat, to study.
Used before the base form of a verb to form the infinitive.
Use to for where someone or something goes.
Used to show movement in the direction of a place or point, often with the idea of reaching it.
Use to for the person who gets something or who you speak to.
Used to show who receives something, or who an action, message, or feeling is directed at.
Use to for the ending point in a range.
Used to show the end point of a range, distance, period, or set of numbers.
Ten to five = 4:50.
Used when telling time to show how many minutes it is before the next hour.
Use to to show how one thing is connected to another.
Used to show a connection, relationship, effect, or response between things or people.
Three to one = 3:1.
Used to express a numerical ratio or comparison between two amounts.
Use to to show the final result (to a stop, to a boil).
Used to show a state or condition that is reached as the result of an action or change.
- Base: to
- Plural: tos
to and fro
1back and forth
To and fro means “back and forth.”
- People were rushing to and fro in the station.
- The boat rocked to and fro on the water.
- After days of emails back and forth—messages to and fro—we finally agreed.
to be fair
1said to acknowledge another side
Use this before a balanced or kind comment.
- To be fair, he did warn us it might take longer.
- She was upset, but to be fair, we were late.
- To be fair, the instructions weren’t very clear.
- To be fair, it is not easy.
to be honest
1Introducing a truthful statement
Used before saying what you really think or feel.
- To be honest, I don't like this movie much.
- To be honest, I was surprised by the result.
to be honest
1said to be frank
Use this to say your true opinion.
- To be honest, I don’t really like this movie.
- I’m tired, to be honest.
- To be honest, I forgot about the meeting.
- To be honest, I am nervous.
to be honest
2introducing a frank statement
used before you say something that is true, especially if it may be surprising, very direct, or not polite.
- To be honest, I don't really like this restaurant.
- It wasn't a great game, to be honest.
- To be honest, I was scared when the plane started to shake.
to be honest
3introducing a truthful statement
Used before saying something that is true, even if it may be surprising or not what someone wants to hear.
- To be honest, I didn’t enjoy the party.
- I was a bit nervous, to be honest.
to date
1until now
To date means “until now.”
- To date, we’ve had no complaints.
- This is her best performance to date.
- No one has solved the issue to date.
- To date, I have visited three countries.
to go
1for takeout; not eaten here
If you order coffee to go, you take it with you.
- Can I get a latte to go, please?
- We ordered two burgers to go.
- This place does breakfast to go.
- I want a coffee to go.
- We got pizza to go.
to the best of my knowledge
1as far as I know
Used to say that you think something is true based on what you know, but you are not completely sure.
- To the best of my knowledge, the meeting starts at 3 p.m.
- To the best of my knowledge, she still lives in New York.
to the best of my knowledge
1as far as I know
Use this to say something is true based on what you know.
- To the best of my knowledge, the files were sent yesterday.
- To the best of my knowledge, no one has reported a problem.
- To the best of my knowledge, he isn’t working there anymore.
to the point
1direct and relevant
If you are to the point, you speak directly.
- Please keep your answer to the point.
- Her emails are always brief and to the point.
- He got straight to the point and asked for help.
- Please be to the point.
up to
1someone’s responsibility or decision
If it’s up to you, you decide.
- It’s up to you whether we leave now or later.
- It’s up to the manager to approve the budget.
- The final decision is up to them.
- It is up to you.