Usage note : to

This dictionary contains usage notes on such topics as the clock, weight measurement, games and sports etc. Many of these use the preposition to.

When to is used as a preposition with movement verbs (go, travel etc.) it is often translated by à but remember to use en with feminine countries (en France) and au with masculine countries (au Portugal) ; ⇒ Countries and continents.

Remember when using à in French that à + le always becomes au and à + les always becomes aux.

When to forms the infinitive of a verb taken alone (by a teacher, for example) it needs no translation :

to go

= aller

to find

= trouver etc.

However, when to is used as part of an infinitive giving the meaning in order to, it is translated by pour :

he’s gone into town to buy a shirt

= il est parti en ville pour acheter une chemise

to is also used as part of an infinitive after certain adjectives : difficult to understand, easy to read etc. Here to is usually translated by à : difficile à comprendre, facile à lire :

it’s easy to read

= c’est facile à lire

However, when the infinitive has an object, to is usually translated by de :

it’s easy to lose one’s way

= il est facile de perdre son chemin

To check translations, consult the appropriate adjective entry : difficult, easy etc.

to is also used as part of an infinitive after certain verbs : she told me to wash my hands, I’ll help him to tidy the room etc. Here the translation, usually either à or de, depends on the verb used in French. To find the correct translation, consult the appropriate verb entry : tell, help etc. For all other uses see the entry to.

Big English-French dictionary. 2003.