To Preposition: Meaning, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：toward (to)

to 🔊

/tuː/

prep.

Used to show movement towards a place or person.

toward 🔊

➕

/təˈwɔːrd/

prep.

Used to indicate movement or direction towards a place, person, or thing.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'tō', cognate with German 'zu' and Dutch 'toe'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'to' as an arrow pointing forward, guiding movement towards a target.

📖 Example

I'm going to the supermarket to buy some fruit. 🔊 I'm going to the supermarket to buy some fruit.

🔗 Collocations

go to – to travel towards a place

come to – to arrive or move towards the speaker

listen to – to pay attention to a sound or speaker

🔄 Synonyms

toward (prep.) – in the direction of

into (prep.) – expressing movement to an interior

onto (prep.) – expressing movement to a position on

🚫 Antonyms

from (prep.) – indicating a point of origin

away from (prep.) – in a direction opposite to

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'to' originates from Old English 'tō', a common preposition across Germanic languages. It is essential for expressing direction, purpose, and comparison in English.