Two, To, Too, Tutu
Most of us know the difference between two, to, and too, but there is some confusion about the correct punctuation with too. Oh, are we really going to talk about tutu too? (No, I’m just pulling your leg warmers!)
Two is obviously the number. No problem there.
To has two uses. First, it can be a preposition. In this case, to is in a phrase and is followed by an article (sometimes) and a noun or pronoun
Example: I went to the mall.
Second, to can be part of an infinitive. In this case, to is followed by a verb.
Example: I want to go with you.
No problem there, although sometimes I do see to used instead of too.
Too also has two uses. First, it can mean also.
Example: I want to go too!
Second, too can mean an excessive amount.
Example: I have too much candy. (Is this even possible?)
It is the first use of too that we are going to talk about in terms of punctuation. Is there a comma before too, or isn’t there?
Which is correct? I want to go, too. OR I want to go too.
There is no real hard and fast rule that makes it incorrect to write it either of those ways. However, there is no reason to put the comma before too. It is preferable to not use a comma.
What about if the too is in the middle of the sentence?
Example: I, too, would like to go.
In this case, especially if the too comes directly after the subject (which it does in the above sentence), the comma is used. Here, the too is used for emphasis, and you would put the commas around it.
A few examples:
I love peanuts, and I love peanut butter too.
We are hiking up that mountain too.
We too are hiking up that mountain. OR We, too, are hiking up that mountain (if you want to emphasize the too).
So, in conclusion — here is one case where there is no real right and wrong. However you don’t need a comma before too at the end of a sentence. If you use too and want to emphasize it, especially right after the subject, go right ahead.
Most of us remember learning to put a comma before too at the end of the sentence. However, not true.
