To early or Too early: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-04 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: The correct spelling is always too early. The phrase to early is incorrect in standard English because it uses the wrong word to modify the adjective early. You need an adverb of degree, not a preposition, to show that something happened before the expected time or deadline.

The Short Answer

The correct phrase is too early, while to early is a common grammatical error that should be avoided in all formal and informal writing.

People often confuse these two because they are pronounced identically, leading writers to rely on sound rather than understanding the distinct grammatical roles each word plays in a sentence structure.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
too early	Correct	Indicating something happened before the proper time or deadline.
to early	Incorrect	Avoid this combination as it mixes a preposition with an adjective incorrectly.
too	Adverb	Modifying adjectives or verbs to mean exceeding the normal amount or degree.
to	Preposition	Showing direction, destination, or connection between nouns and verbs.

Correct Example Sentences

The train arrived at the station too early, so we had to wait an hour.
It feels too early to start thinking about Christmas decorations in October.
You were too early for the meeting, so the boss was not yet inside.
Please do not wake the baby too early because she needs her full sleep.
The store opened too early today, which surprised many of the regular customers.
Sending that email was too early since I had not finished the final draft.
The sun set too early, casting a strange shadow over the quiet neighborhood.
We arrived too early for the concert and ended up standing outside in the cold.
Her reaction to the news was too early, revealing her true feelings before others spoke.
The project deadline was moved up, making our current progress feel too early.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

We got to early for the party.: We got too early for the party.
It is to early to tell the results.: It is too early to tell the results.
He came to early to the office.: He came too early to the office.
This movie started to early this evening.: This movie started too early this evening.
You are to early with your guess.: You are too early with your guess.
The package arrived to early on Tuesday.: The package arrived too early on Tuesday.

A Quick Test You Can Use

Replace the word with excessively or very. If the sentence still makes sense, you need the adverb too. If you are trying to show movement toward a place or linking to a verb, use the preposition to instead.

Related Word Pairs

to much vs too much: Use too much for quantity; use to as a preposition.
to bad vs too bad: Use too bad for regret; use to show direction toward a place.
to late vs too late: Use too late for time; use to indicate movement toward a destination.
then vs than: Use then for time sequences; use than for making comparisons.
your vs you're: Use your for possession; use you're as a contraction for you are.

More Example Sentences

It is too early to predict the outcome of the election.
She woke up too early and couldn't fall back asleep.
The flowers bloomed too early for this time of year.
He arrived too early for the interview and waited in the lobby.
It feels too early to be discussing holiday plans.
The sun set too early, plunging the room into darkness.
Don't judge the project as too early to celebrate success.
The baby was too early for school, so she napped quietly.
We left too early and missed the sunset entirely.
It is too early to know if the strategy will work.

Quick Practice

It is early to tell who will win.

too

He arrived early for the flight.

too

The movie started early in the evening.

too

It seems early to plan for next summer.

too

She woke up early and made breakfast.

too

The rain began early, ruining the picnic.

too

Frequently Asked Questions

Is to early ever correct in slang?

No, even in casual text messages or slang, using to early is considered a typo. Always use too early to maintain clarity and proper grammar in your digital communication with friends and family.

What is the part of speech for too?

The word too is an adverb that modifies adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs to indicate an excessive amount or degree. It helps describe the intensity or extent of the action being described.

Can I use to early in poetry?

While poets sometimes break rules for rhyme or meter, using to early instead of too early is generally seen as an error. It is better to adjust the surrounding words to keep the correct grammar intact.

How do I remember the difference?

Think of the letter o in too as a magnifying glass looking at the excess. The word too always means excessively, while to points toward something. This visual trick helps you choose the right spelling.