Literary notes about To (AI summary)
The word “to” in literature functions in various ways, subtly guiding the reader through actions, purposes, directions, and relationships. It often introduces an infinitive that signals purpose or intent, as seen in [1] where “to produce or to make” explains a transformative process, or in [2] where “to ride with me” sets a condition. In other cases, “to” marks movement or destination, such as in [3] (“I turned to go down…”) and [4] (“to dig some one out of a grave”), clearly indicating the direction of an action. Moreover, “to” can serve idiomatic expressions and help bridge clauses, creating fluidity in dialogue and narrative, like in [5] (“to pick them up once more”) and [6] (“to deliver the enclosed”). Through these varied functions, “to” enriches prose by linking ideas and actions, thereby enhancing the precision and rhythm of literary language.
- To produce or to make is to alter something; to consume is to alter.
— from Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education by John Dewey - The only condition I attach to the gift is, that you will ride with me whenever I ask you.”
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova - I turned to go down the cross-road into the valley.
— from Dracula's Guest by Bram Stoker - He was on his way to dig some one out of a grave.
— from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - Then we lost them for half a mile, but only to pick them up once more quite close to Mapleton.
— from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle - The note for me ran thus: “If you think it to be a sin to deliver the enclosed to your friend, burn it.
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova
