‘Toward’ vs ‘Towards’- Are they synonymous? The prepositions, ‘toward’ and ‘towards’ are used in the context of direction. But, these are often perceived to be confusing due to subtle differences in their usage.
Difference Between Toward and Towards
Both ‘toward’ and ‘towards’ are used to indicate moving in a particular direction. But, they vary in terms of the preference in their usage in different geographical locations. The primary spelling difference between the two words is the presence or absence of the final ‘-s’. In American English, ‘-s’ is often omitted, while in British English, ‘-s’ is retained.
- Toward (without the ‘-s’) is more common in American English
- Towards (with the ‘-s’) is more common in British English
It is important to be mindful of your audience to understand which form should be preferred.
For example:
- American English: She walked toward the door
- British English: She walked towards the door
Although both versions of this word are grammatically correct, their preference is stylistic.
Trend of the Words Toward and Towards Over the Years
As one could imagine, the usage of ‘toward’ and ‘towards’ has been largely influenced by the differences in the way English has evolved in different geographical locations.
- In American English, ‘toward’ was more commonly used owing to the nature of American English to simplify spellings. This was more common for multiple words (for example, ‘colour’ became ‘color’, and ‘neighbour’ became ‘neighbor’) as the language evolved, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries.
- In British English, ‘towards’ continued to be commonly used, consistent with the older traditions of English spelling. This is usually marked with words ending in ‘-ward’ taking an additional ‘-s’ (for example, ‘backwards’, ‘forwards’, and ‘inwards’).
Style Guide Recommendations
Academic and professional writing usually requires you to stick to standards set by style guide recommendations for consistency and grammatical accuracy.
In American English, use ‘toward’
In British English, use ‘towards’
Toward vs. Towards in Formal Writing
In formal writing, such as business, academic, or legal contexts, it’s best to follow the regional convention.
Consistency is key in formal writing. Make sure to choose one form and use it throughout your document rather than switching between the two.
Examples of Toward and Towards
To better understand the differences between these two words, let us take a look into a few examples of both forms in different contexts:
American English (Toward):
- We are working toward a common goal.
- The organization is heading toward financial stability.
British English (Towards):
- We are working towards a common goal.
- The organization is heading towards financial stability.
How to Remember the Difference?
To remember the difference between ‘toward’ and ‘towards’, think of where your readers are based in.
- If you’re writing for an American audience, remember how the U.S. prefers simpler forms of words. Thus, in this context, prefer using ‘toward’ without the ‘-s’.
- If you’re writing for a British audience, remember how the UK retains the spellings used long back and think of the extra ‘-s’ in British spellings. Thus, in this context, prefer using ‘towards’ with the ‘-s’.
Understanding the difference between ‘toward’ and ‘towards’ can help improve accuracy in your writing. Additionally, writers can consider using AI assistants like Trinka Grammar Checker to avoid misusing the words and improve clarity, and readability of their written work.