What is the difference between "toward" and "towards"? I have seen both in print. Can both be used? Thanks!

Question

I swear that somewhere either Strunk and White or Modern English Usage taught me in college that only one of the following should be used and yet I see both in print. Which is right? Are both right? toward vs. towards I would have thought toward was the right one stemming possibly from to ward as in to ward off evil.....Thanks!

Answer 1

Toward is a variant of Towards. They are used interchangeably.

Answer 2

Toward is the only proper use, whereas towards is vernacular slang and incorrect usage. Seeing something in print does not guarantee correct use, since newspaper, novels, and government documents often include sentences that end with prepositions. Oh, afterwards is not corrent use either.

Answer 3

Toward is more commonly used in the United States and Towards in Britain and Canada. They can be used interchangeably, however, i.e. no difference.

Same goes for backward/backwards, etc. Both are correct.

Answer 4

Both are correct as per Mirriam Webster and both may be used as an adjective or a preposition; it is my opinion, however, that towards is only included because so many used it incorrectly that it worked its way into accepted language, similarly to 'irregardless'.

Answer 5

I cannot find towards in the thesaurus. I think it is a more archaic form of toward. Where I have seen it used in print was in such sentences as the pilgrims traveled towards Mecca.

Answer 6

to·ward Audio pronunciation of "toward" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (tôrd, trd, t-wôrd)
prep. also to·wards (tôrdz, trdz, t-wôrdz)

1. In the direction of: driving toward home.
2. In a position facing: had his back toward me.
3. Somewhat before in time: It began to rain toward morning.
4. With regard to; in relation to: an optimistic attitude toward the future.
5. In furtherance or partial fulfillment of: contributed five dollars toward the bill.
6. By way of achieving; with a view to: efforts toward peace.


adj. (tôrd, trd)

1. Favoring success or a good outcome; propitious.
2. often towards Happening soon; imminent.
3. Obsolete. Being quick to understand or learn.

Answer 7

Both words are acceptable, no change in meaning. Towards is a bit more formal.

Answer 8

I think toward is right, and towards is wrong. People just love adding letters to words.

Answer 9

omg, I have so much trouble with these words. I use 'towards' a lot, but I've learnt not to do (in writing). I guess that's the wrong one, because my teacher always slashed at the 's'

Answer 10

toward and towards both have different meaning

toward mean to go forward for example he is going toward north
towards mean to get near forexample he is going towards Sam