prepositions - Why is 'to' not used before 'home'?


While learning English, I was taught not to put 'to' in front of 'home'. I.e. "go to home" is incorrect, you should say "go home".


Is there a reason (maybe historical) for this?



Answer



In this phrase "Go home", home is not a noun but an adverb


Specifically, it is an adverb of place


So you do not need a preposition like "to" prior to home.


The Longman Dictionary specifies



Do not use a preposition (a word such as 'at' or 'to') before home when it is an adverb



Other similar adverbs of place are listed below, and you can see you can use the same rule to all of them



abroad
anywhere
downstairs
here
home
in
nowhere
out
outside
somewhere
there
underground
upstairs



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