Preposition - To
What is a preposition?
A preposition is a word used before a noun or pronoun to show the relationship between people, places, things, or time in a sentence. It helps us understand position, direction, time, and connection. Common prepositions are in, on, at, under, behind, between, and with. Prepositions make sentences clear and meaningful by connecting different parts of a sentence properly.
Examples:
• The book is on the table.
• She arrived at school early.
Preposition वह शब्द होता है जो किसी noun या pronoun के पहले आकर उसके संबंध को किसी व्यक्ति, स्थान, वस्तु या समय से जोड़ता है। यह स्थान, दिशा, समय और संबंध को स्पष्ट करता है। सामान्य prepositions हैं: in, on, at, under, behind, between, और with Preposition वाक्य को स्पष्ट और अर्थपूर्ण बनाने में मदद करता है।
उदाहरण:
• किताब मेज़ पर है।
• वह स्कूल में जल्दी पहुँची।
All Possible Uses of the Preposition “TO”
The preposition “to” is one of the most commonly used words in English. It shows direction, destination, relationship, purpose, time, comparison, attachment, and response.
1. To show direction or destination
Used when someone or something moves towards a place or person.
Examples
I am going to school.
She went to Delhi yesterday.
The boy ran to his mother.
Send this letter to the principal.
2. To show a person who receives something
Used after verbs like give, send, show, tell, lend, offer, hand.
Examples
She gave a gift to me.
He told the truth to his teacher.
Please lend your book to Rahul.
She showed the photo to her friend.
3. To show relationship or connection
Shows how two people or things are related.
Examples
She is married to a doctor.
He is very kind to animals.
This house belongs to my uncle.
What is your relation to him?
4. To show position or closeness
Indicates nearness or attachment
Examples
The chair is close to the table.
The village is next to the river.
The temple is attached to the school.
Sit next to me.
5. To show purpose or intention
Indicates why something is done.
Examples
This medicine is used to cure fever.
He shouted to warn the people.
She called me to ask for help.
We stopped to take rest.
6. To show time (before a specific point)
Used in telling time
Examples
It is ten minutes to five.
The train will arrive at five minutes to six.
It is quarter to nine now.
7. To show limit or range
Used to show starting and ending points
Examples
The temperature rose from 10°C to 40°C.
The shop is open from Monday to Friday.
The distance is five kilometers from here to the station.
8. To show comparison or preference
Used to compare two things
Examples
I prefer tea to coffee.
She likes honesty to money.
This book is superior to that one.
Gold is heavier than silver, but more valuable to people.
9. To show reaction or attitude
Shows feelings or behavior towards someone or something
Examples
He is rude to strangers.
She was polite to everyone.
The manager was harsh to the workers.
Be kind to animals.
10. To show change or transformation
Indicates a change from one state to another
Examples
Water turns to ice in winter.
The caterpillar changes to a butterfly.
The prince was turned to stone.
The situation went from bad to worse.
11. To show attachment or joining
Used when something is fixed, tied, or joined
Examples
Tie the horse to the tree.
The notice is pinned to the board.
The handle is attached to the door.
He was chained to the wall.
12. To show agreement or obedience
Used after certain nouns and adjectives
Examples
He agreed to my plan.
She submitted to the rules.
The soldiers were loyal to the king.
He surrendered to the police.
13. To show ownership or belonging
Similar to “of” in some formal uses
Examples
The key to the room is missing.
The solution to this problem is easy.
The answer to the question is correct.
Access to the building is restricted.
14. To show cause or reason
Indicates the reason behind something
Examples
He died due to illness.
The match was cancelled due to rain.
She fainted due to heat.
(Here to works with expressions like “due to”, “owing to”)
15. To show destination of an action (abstract)
Not a physical place, but an abstract goal
Examples
He was promoted to manager.
She was appointed to the post of teacher.
He was invited to the meeting.
The issue was brought to notice.
16. To show direction of behavior or action
Used with verbs like listen, speak, talk, complain, reply, apologize.
Examples
Listen to me carefully.
He spoke to the manager.
She apologized to her parents.
Reply to this email immediately.
17. To show proportion or ratio
Used in expressions of ratio
Examples
The ratio of boys to girls is 2:1.
Water should be mixed in the ratio of 1 to 3.
The vote count was 5 to 2.