This common mistake trips up thousands of writers every day, but the fix is simple once you understand the difference.
The Quick Answer
When describing speed, always use “too fast.” This phrase means something is moving at an excessive or dangerous pace. The word “too” acts as an intensifier that shows extremes.
Never write “to fast” when talking about speed. That’s a grammar mistake that can make your writing look unprofessional. The word “to” serves completely different purposes in English—it doesn’t describe speed at all.
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“Too” vs “To” (And Why It Matters)
What Does “Too” Mean?
The word “too” means excessively, also, or very. It shows that something goes beyond what’s normal or acceptable. When you say someone drives “too fast,” you’re saying their speed is beyond safe limits.
What Does “To” Mean?
The word “to” functions as either a preposition or an infinitive marker. As a preposition, it shows direction or destination: “I’m going to the store.” As an infinitive marker, it introduces verbs: “to run,” “to jump,” “to eat.”
“To” never describes speed or intensity. That’s the key difference. When you write “I want to drive,” the word “to” just introduces the verb. It doesn’t tell us anything about how fast the driving happens.
Too vs To
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Too | Excessively, also, very | You’re driving too fast |
| To | Direction, infinitive marker | I need to slow down |
The Only Time “To Fast” Is Correct
“To fast” works correctly when discussing the act of fasting. Fasting means voluntarily abstaining from food or drink, usually for religious, spiritual, or health purposes. In this case, “fast” functions as a verb, not an adjective.
Here are proper uses of “to fast”:
- I plan to fast during Ramadan this year.
- The doctor told me to fast before the blood test.
- She decided to fast for 24 hours as a spiritual practice.
- It’s healthier to fast intermittently than to skip meals randomly.
Notice the pattern: “to” introduces the verb “fast.” This follows standard English grammar where “to” creates infinitives. The meaning has nothing to do with speed—it’s about not eating.
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How to Use “Too Fast” Correctly
“Too fast” appears naturally in everyday conversation and writing. The phrase works anywhere you need to describe excessive speed.
Speed and movement:
- The runner finished too fast for anyone to catch up.
- You’re scrolling through the document too fast.
- That car went by too fast to see the license plate.
Time passing:
- The weekend went by too fast.
- Kids grow up too fast these days.
- Summer vacation ended too fast this year.
Work and productivity:
- Don’t rush through the project too fast or you’ll make mistakes.
- She types too fast for me to follow her notes.
- The assembly line moves too fast for quality checks.
Daily situations:
- You’re talking too fast—slow down so I can understand.
- The movie plot developed too fast in the third act.
- My heart beats too fast when I drink coffee.
Each example uses “too” to show excess or extremes. The pattern stays consistent: “too” + adjective/adverb creates the meaning of “excessively” or “overly.”
FAQ’s
Is it “driving to fast” or “too fast”?
It’s “driving too fast”—always. The phrase describes excessive speed, which requires “too” with the extra “O.” Writing “driving to fast” is incorrect unless you’re saying “driving to fast food restaurants.”
What is the difference between “to” and “too”?
“To” shows direction or introduces verbs, while “too” means excessively or also. Use “to” for movement (“going to work”) and infinitives (“to run”). Use “too” for extremes (“too hot”) or addition (“me too”).
Can you say “to fast for someone”?
No, the correct phrase is “too fast for someone.” This describes speed that exceeds what someone can handle. Example: “You’re running too fast for me to keep up.”
Is “way too fast” correct?
Yes, “way too fast” is perfectly correct and commonly used. The word “way” intensifies “too,” making it mean “much too fast” or “far too fast.” Example: “That car was going way too fast through the neighborhood.”
Conclusion
The difference between “to fast” and “too fast” comes down to one simple rule. Use “too fast” when describing excessive speed or intensity.
Only write “to fast” when discussing the act of fasting—abstaining from food. Remember the extra “O” in “too” represents extra or excessive, and you’ll never make this mistake again.
At FixerGrammar.com, Johnson Isaacs shares easy grammar tips, clear examples, and helpful guidance to make writing simple, smooth, and mistake-free.
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