Introduction
When writing or speaking, you might wonder about words that seem almost identical—like “toward” and “towards.” Both are common, but which one should you use? In this article, we’ll break down everything about toward or towards, from what they mean to how they’re used in everyday English. We’ll keep it clear and easy to read so you can feel confident picking the right one next time. Whether you’re a student, a writer, or just curious, this guide has you covered!
What Do Toward and Towards Mean?
Let’s start with the basics. Toward or towards both means moving in the direction of something—physically or figuratively. For example, you might walk “toward the park” or work “towards a goal.” They’re prepositions, which show how things relate, like direction, time, or purpose.
The good news? They mean the same thing. The difference is mostly about style and where you’re from. Toward or towards can be swapped in most sentences without changing the meaning, but there’s more to learn about when and why to use each one.
The History of Toward and Towards
To understand toward or towards, it helps to look at their past. Both come from Old English, way back over a thousand years ago. The word started as “tōweard,” which meant “in the direction of.” Over time, it split into two forms: “toward” (without the “s”) and “towards” (with the “s”). By the Middle Ages, people used both, depending on how they spoke or wrote.
Today, toward or towards still carries that old meaning, but how they’re used has shifted slightly. History shows us they’re twins with the same roots—just dressed up a little differently now.
Toward: The American Favorite
In the United States, “toward” is the go-to choice. If you’re writing for an American audience, you’ll see “toward” in books, newspapers, and school papers more often. For example, “She ran toward the finish line” sounds natural in US English. It’s shorter, simpler, and fits the American habit of trimming extra letters—like “color” instead of “colour.”
So, when thinking about toward or towards, “toward” is the star in the US. It’s not a strict rule, but it’s what most Americans prefer and expect.
Towards: The British Preference
Across the pond, “towards” is more popular. In the UK, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking places influenced by British English, you’ll hear “He walked towards the shop” a lot. The extra “s” doesn’t change the meaning—it’s just a style thing. Brits keep those extra letters, like “realize” or “organize.”
For toward or towards, “towards” feels right to British ears. It’s not wrong in the US, but it might be less familiar.
Are They Interchangeable?
A big question about toward or towards: Can you use them the same way? Yes, most of the time! Grammar experts say they’re interchangeable because they mean the same thing. “I’m heading toward the beach” and “I’m heading towards the beach” both work. Your choice depends on who you’re talking to or what style guide you’re following.
Still, some people notice a slight vibe difference. Toward or towards might feel more formal or casual depending on the sentence, but that’s just a personal take—not a rule.
When to Use Toward in Writing
If you’re writing for school, work, or a blog in the US, “toward” is usually your best bet. Big style guides like the Associated Press (AP) and Chicago Manual of Style recommend “toward” for American English. So, a sentence like “The team worked toward a solution” fits those standards perfectly.
When deciding between toward or towards, stick with “toward” if you want to sound polished and follow US norms. It’s a safe, simple choice.
When to Use Towards in Writing
On the flip side, “towards” shines in British English settings. If you’re writing for a UK audience or following a guide like Oxford style, go with “She moved towards the door.” It matches what readers expect in those places. Even in the US, “towards” isn’t wrong—it’s less common.
For toward or towards, “towards” can add a touch of flair or variety if you’re writing creatively, no matter where you are.
How to Pick the Right One
Choosing between toward or towards doesn’t have to be complicated. Ask yourself: Who’s reading this? If it’s Americans, lean toward “toward.” If it’s Brits or an international crowd, “towards” might feel more natural. Also, think about consistency—if you start with one, stick with it throughout your writing.
Not sure? Flip a coin! You can’t really go wrong since toward or towards are so close as long as your meaning is clear.
Examples in Everyday Sentences
Let’s see toward or towards in action. Here are some examples:
- “He threw the ball toward the dog.” (US style)
- “She waved towards her friend.” (UK style)
- “We’re saving money toward a new car.” (US.)
- “They’re working towards peace.” (UK)
See how they swap easily? Toward or towards fit, wherever direction or progress is the idea.
Toward or Towards in Formal Writing
Formal stuff—like essays or reports—toward or towards depends on your audience’s rules. American professors or bosses might expect “toward” in a line like “The study points toward a new theory.” In the UK, “The policy shifts towards sustainability” might look better on paper.
Check your style guide or ask who’s reading it. Toward or towards won’t make or break your work, but matching expectations shows you’re paying attention.
Using Toward or Towards with Other Words
“toward” and “towards” play nice with other prepositions or phrases. You might say “toward the end of the day” or “towards the middle of the book.” They also work in idioms, like “lean toward a decision” or “push towards success.” The trick is keeping your choice consistent.
When pairing toward or towards with other words, it’s all about flow—pick one and roll with it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
People don’t mess up toward or towards too often, but there are small traps. Don’t add an extra “s” by accident (like “towards”)—that’s not a word. Also, don’t stress over picking the “right” one too much; they’re correct. The only mistake is mixing them randomly in one piece, which can look sloppy.
Stick to one form of toward or towards, and you’ll always be okay.
How Dictionaries See Toward and Towards
Dictionaries like Merriam-Webster and Oxford list toward or towards as the same, just with regional twists. Merriam-Webster (US) puts “toward” first but says “towards” is a variant. Oxford (UK) does the reverse, favouring “towards.” Both agree they’re equal in meaning—only spelling and habit set them apart.
It shows toward or towards two sides of the same coin, backed by language experts.
Toward or Towards in Speech
In talking, toward or towards depends on your accent or where you grew up. Americans might say “tuh-WORD” without the “s,” while Brits say “tuh-WARDS” with it. Most people don’t notice the difference when chatting—it’s too quick to matter.
Whether toward or towards, spoken English lets you go with what feels natural to you.
Teaching Kids About Toward and Towards
For kids learning English, toward or towards can be a fun lesson. Tell them it’s like choosing “big” or “large”—both work, but one might sound better depending on where you are. Use examples like “The cat ran toward the tree” and let them try it out.
Keep it simple: toward or towards is about direction, and either is okay as long as they’re understood.
Toward or Towards in Creative Writing
Writers love playing with words, and toward or towards can set a tone. “Toward” might feel crisp and modern in a short story, like “He stepped toward the light.” “Towards” could sound softer or older, as in “She gazed towards the horizon.” It’s a minor tweak that adds flavour.
In creative work, toward or towards lets you shape your voice subtly but effectively.
Why People Debate Toward or Towards
Some folks argue about toward or towards because they like rules in language. Grammar nerds might say “toward” is more “correct” in the US, while others defend “towards” for its charm. It’s a friendly debate—neither is wrong, and English is flexible enough for both.
The fuss over or towards shows how much people care about even tiny words.
Quick Tips for Remembering the Difference
Need a trick to recall toward or towards? Think: “America drops the ‘s’—toward.” “Britain keeps it—towards.” Or link “toward” to “short” (fewer letters) and “towards” to “extra” (more letters). It’s not a big deal to memorize, but little hints help.
With toward or towards, a simple memory trick keeps you on track.
Final Thoughts on Toward or Towards
So, what’s the deal with toward or towards? They’re two spellings of the same idea—direction or progress—with “toward” ruling in the US and “towards” shining in the UK. You can use either one as long as you’re consistent and clear. Next time you write or speak, pick the one that fits your style or audience and don’t sweat it too much.
English is full of choices like toward or towards, which makes it fun. Now you know all about them—use them with confidence!
References
- Definitions and usage from Merriam-Webster (Merriam-webster.com) and Oxford English Dictionary (oed.com).
- Style guide preferences from AP Stylebook (apstylebook.com) and Chicago Manual of Style (chicagomanualofstyle.org).
- Historical context from Etymonline.com and grammar resources like Grammarly.com.
- General English usage trends from Cambridge Dictionary (dictionary.cambridge.org).
