To (preposition)

ref – https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/to

A preposition is a word used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show

  • direction
  • time
  • place
  • location
  • spatial relationships
  • or to introduce an object

We can use to as a preposition to indicate a destination or direction:

We’re going to Liverpool next week. (destination)

Does he want to come to the park with us? (destination)

The dog ran to us as soon as we arrived. (direction)

‘To’ as a preposition: receiver of an action

We use to with verbs such as (give money to), (hand the keys to), (send letters to), (write notes to), to indicate the person or thing that receives or experiences the object of the verb:

She’s always writing letters to the local newspaper. (The local newspaper receives the letters (action – She’s writing letters ))

I gave the keys to Jane. (Jane receives the keys (action – I gave) )

‘To’ as a preposition: time

We use to in telling the time, when we refer to the number of minutes before the hour:

examples:

Her train arrives at quarter to five.

It’s ten to six. We’d better leave now or we’ll be late.

We can use to to express time from … to …:

examples:

It’s just three days to New Year’s Day.

They’re only open from Monday to Friday.

‘To’ as a preposition: approximate numbers

We can use ‘to’ when we refer to an approximate number somewhere between a lower number and a higher number:

There were forty to fifty people at the meeting.

It’ll probably cost you thirty to thirty-five pounds.