Toward vs Towards | Difference Between Toward and Towards

Toward and Towards are two prepositions in the English language that have similar meanings and are used interchangeably in many contexts. However, there are some slight differences between the two in terms of their usage and meaning. In American English, “toward” is the preferred spelling, while in British English, “towards” is more commonly used. However, both spellings are generally accepted in both dialects.

Difference Between Toward and Towards

Meaning of Toward

This preposition is used to indicate a direction in which something or someone is moving or facing. For example, “The bird flew toward the tree,” or “She walked toward the store.” It can also be used to indicate a goal or objective, such as “I am working toward earning my degree.”

Meaning of Towards

Towards: This is a variant of “toward,” and it is used similarly. It also indicates movement or direction, as in “The car is headed towards the city.” Additionally, “towards” can also indicate a relationship or connection between two things, such as “There is a connection between climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.”

Difference between Toward and Towards

	Toward	Towards
Definition	Moving in the direction of something/someone	Moving in the direction of something/someone
Preposition	Used as a preposition in American English	Used as a preposition in British English
Spelling	The spelling used in American English	The spelling used in British English
Examples	He walked toward the door.	He walked towards the door
Synonyms	Approach, go to, move to	Approach, go to, move to

Usage of Toward

• As a preposition, “toward” is used to indicate direction or intention. It is often followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund.
• As an adverb, “toward” is used to modify a verb or an adjective.

Examples of Toward

1. The sun is setting toward the west.
2. The boy walked toward the school.
3. She was feeling animosity toward her boss.
4. The team is working hard toward winning the championship.
5. The company is making strides toward becoming more eco-friendly.

Usage of Towards

• “Towards” is commonly used in the English language to express direction or intention. It is generally followed by a noun or pronoun to indicate the specific destination.

Examples of Towards

1. I am walking towards the park.
2. She is saving money towards buying a new car.
3. The team is working towards winning the championship.
4. The aeroplane is flying towards the west.
5.  He leaned towards me and whispered in my ear.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “toward” and “towards” have the same definition and are used interchangeably in terms of meaning, as they both refer to moving in the direction of something or someone. However, their usage and spelling can differ depending on the region and context. “Toward” is more commonly used in American English, while “towards” is more widely used in British English. When using these words, it’s essential to be aware of the spelling and usage differences to avoid confusion.