Comments on: Homophones: Two, Too, and To

By: Florence Mills

Florence Mills — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:12:07 +0000

i was home schooled too but i would still prefer regular schools.`~’

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:20:15 +0000

The word “too” is a homophone, which means it sounds exactly like other words (to and two) but means something different. The way you’re using “too” is correct, and in this case it means “also.” So, unfortunately, your friend is wrong on this one.

By: gabi

gabi — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:35:55 +0000

I was talking with a friend, she is Russian and I’m Brazilian and we had a discussion about the adverbs “too” and “as well” and their use in a phrase; so, I will appreciate if you can clarify something to me.

I said: This store closes at 9:30, too.
She said: No, this store closes at 9:30, as well.This is the right way to say because when you say “too” sounds like “two”.

So, this is my question: Is she wrong or right, and why?

By: 2009 Milestones and Top Ten Posts : Writing Forward

2009 Milestones and Top Ten Posts : Writing Forward — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 04:18:40 +0000

[...] grammar geeks and words nerds, Homophones: Two, Too, and To got into the nitty gritty of how to spell words that sound the [...]

By: Magnolia

Magnolia — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:23:08 +0000

Well then, maybe therein lies our differences in perspective.

I do know in the 60′s & 70′s when I was in grade school & high school, we *did* study grammar all the way through high school. (I remember Mrs. Sutton’s sentence diagramming all too well in 10th grade )

And then, with home schooling my children the past ten years, with the curriculum we used, there was a heavy focus on grammar throughout high school.

It appears I’ve lived in a bubble by assuming that most people would have had an adaquate, even an over exposure to it.

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:57:32 +0000

As someone who survived the public school system, I can tell you that grammar is not a focal point. In fact, if I remember correctly, the last time I had a decent grammar lesson was around fourth grade. After that, grammar is picked up through corrections made on essays and reports, assuming one paid attention to such corrections. The result is that many of my peers simply did not learn the subtle nuances of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Since I love studying language, I tend to pay close attention to grammar and over the years, have taught myself many of the rules (and it didn’t hurt that I majored in English and Creative Writing). I don’t think that’s true for most people, even if they are good at telling stories or putting words together in intriguing ways. Two, too, and to are probably not the most frequently misunderstood homophones, but I still see them mixed up often enough that I feel it’s an issue worth addressing.

By: Magnolia

Magnolia — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:15:49 +0000

Hey You’re welcome! (compliments about your blog ).

Well, then maybe I have had limited experience with writers. I suppose I would presume (rightly or wrongly) that basic elemtents of speech & grammar would have been mastered by a certain time.

Certainly, the usages of the words, “too, to, & two” are discussed, ad nauseum I might add, in elementary language arts courses. As a former home school mommy, I found the repetition of basic grammar concepts year after year after year tedious. Which is why I was surprised that adults would have an issue with such basic ideas.

However, it appears that I am wrong. My comments were not from a heart of condemnation or judgement however, merely surprise.

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:16:47 +0000

Well, we’re all different, and each of us faces our own unique struggles. Someone who is a master storyteller may struggle with grammar and spelling. I’ve seen this numerous times and what’s disappointing is that because of their weaknesses with the mechanics of writing, these individuals often turn away from it – despite the talent they possess for stringing words together in compelling ways.

Also, these are mistakes that many writers make as a result of typos (note that spell check doesn’t catch homophones). Writing requires a vast skill set. My goal is be supportive and understanding whatever a person’s struggle might be.

A brief tour around the blogosophere and other online writing forums will show that many decent writers have a hard time remembering homophones (or have a hard time catching them or proofreading for them). I don’t think it’s appropriate or fair to assume that writers who struggle with mechanics have any kind of disorder, and even if they do, there’s nothing wrong with that. Additionally, let us not forget that there are many ESL writers who even as adults, are still trying to master the English language and its many nuances.

I also want to add that here, at Writing Forward, we support, encourage, and welcome all writers at all skill levels. We do not judge and we do not make assumptions. As far as I’m concerned, the more people embrace writing, the better the world will be.

Thanks for your compliments about my blog

By: Magnolia

Magnolia — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:00:34 +0000

Hi Melissa,

I love your blog. I have to confess though, I was a bit taken back by this post on two, too, or to.

Barring a language processing disorder, like dyslexia maybe, I can’t imagine that any writer over the age of 10 would EVER have trouble using these words correctly????

Is this really a serious problem for writers? If it is, I’m flabbergasted.

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:33:37 +0000

Ah, good memory device! I’ll have to remember that one

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:26:01 +0000

I remember “to” because I’m going somewhere – If I point to where I am going, I only use one finger, so I just put one “o”.

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:03:32 +0000

Hi Deb! I know what you mean about your fingers going on autopilot. Happens to me all the time.