Grammar · Commonly Confused Words
To, Too & Two
Three small words with the same sound. Learn to, too and two with the film The Boss Baby.
Grammar › Commonly Confused Words › To, Too & Two
The rule in one sentenceUse to for a place or before a verb, use too for “also” or “more than is good”, and use two only for the number 2.
About the film
The Boss Baby is a film from 2017. Tim is seven years old. His new baby brother wears a suit and goes to work! At first Tim thinks the baby is too bossy. Later the two brothers become a team.
What do “to”, “too” and “two” do?
The three words sound the same. But they do different jobs. You cannot hear the difference. You can see it in the spelling.
Look at the Boss Baby. Each word does one job:
Here are the three words, with their jobs and an example from the film:
The baby goes to work. (a place) The baby is too busy. (more than is good) They are two brothers. (the number)
Same sound. Three jobs. Look at the spelling, and think about the job.
A quick test: can you say “also” or “more than is good”? Then it is too. Can you say “2”? Then it is two. Everything else is to.
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
How to make it
to a place, or a verb
The baby goes to work.
Tim doesn’t go to work. He is seven.
don’t / doesn’t + verb + toDoes the baby want to sleep?
Do / Does + person + want + to + verbtoo also, or more than is good
The baby is too loud.
For “also”, put it at the end: Tim talks. The baby talks too.The suit isn’t too big for the baby.
isn’t / aren’t + too + …Is the baby too bossy?
Is / Are + person + too + …And two? It is only the number 2. No other job: two brothers, two babies, two cookies.
When to use each one
to — a place, or before a verb
too — also, or more than is good
Words that help: to, too or two?
Some words often go with each spelling.
to → a place, or a verb
too → also, or more than is good
two → the number 2
Common mistakes
❌ The baby goes too work.
✅ The baby goes to work.
Work is a place here. A place → to.
❌ Tim wants two play.
✅ Tim wants to play.
“Play” is a verb. Before a verb → to.
❌ The baby is to loud.
✅ The baby is too loud.
More than is good → too, with two o’s.
❌ Tim and the baby are to brothers.
✅ Tim and the baby are two brothers.
This is the number 2 → two.
One more thing
This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.
No “to” after can. After can, must and should, the verb comes with no to.
✅ The baby can talk. ❌ The baby can to talk.
Practice: choose the right word
Eight questions. Choose one word. You get the answer, and why.
1. The baby goes ___ work.
Work is a place here → to.
2. The baby is ___ bossy.
More than is good → too.
3. Tim and the baby are ___ brothers.
The number 2 → two.
4. Tim wants ___ win.
“Win” is a verb. Before a verb → to.
5. The baby loves cookies. I love cookies ___.
“Also” at the end → too.
6. Tim gives the briefcase ___ the baby.
Give it to someone → to.
7. The baby has ___ much work.
“Too much” → too.
8. Tim counts: one, ___, three.
A number → two.
Your turn
Choose one word. Then listen to your sentence.
Every word here is correct. Pick the one you like. Say it out loud too!
Keep going
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Practise listening at your level
Hear this grammar used for real — Beginner English listening practice. Full movie reviews in slow, clear English, levelled for Beginner learners. One new episode every week, free, with a transcript. BeginnerFree playlistWatch on YouTube