“Toward” or “towards”?
Which one should should I use? For some reason I have always used "towards", but I see some people saying "toward", like here:
A great deal of his work in economic
theory has been directed toward
strengthening the foundations of our
understanding of central banking and
social insurance--indeed, one of my
most advanced macroeconomic classes
was nothing but a set of changes rung
upon a particular model that Peter
Diamond had advanced at...
Is there a difference between the two? When should they be used?
differences synonyms
edited Mar 6 '11 at 23:40
Jimi Oke
24.7k265102
asked Aug 8 '10 at 0:57
ViviVivi
72231320
add a comment |
Which one should should I use? For some reason I have always used "towards", but I see some people saying "toward", like here:
A great deal of his work in economic
theory has been directed toward
strengthening the foundations of our
understanding of central banking and
social insurance--indeed, one of my
most advanced macroeconomic classes
was nothing but a set of changes rung
upon a particular model that Peter
Diamond had advanced at...
Is there a difference between the two? When should they be used?
differences synonyms
edited Mar 6 '11 at 23:40
Jimi Oke
24.7k265102
asked Aug 8 '10 at 0:57
ViviVivi
72231320
I vote to close as this has been asked many, many times before.
– The Raven
Mar 16 '11 at 0:46
8
@The Raven: note the date. This question was asked seven months ago. It was our 71st question, out of the 4200 we currently have. And it was the first one to deal with this particular issue. There are a few younger questions that might be considered dupes of this one, but not the other way round.
– RegDwigнt♦
Mar 16 '11 at 2:16
2
It seems also to apply tobackwardvs.backwardsandforwardvs.forwards. I would ask ifbeside/besidesis of the same kind.
– Val
Aug 16 '13 at 9:52
add a comment |
Which one should should I use? For some reason I have always used "towards", but I see some people saying "toward", like here:
A great deal of his work in economic
theory has been directed toward
strengthening the foundations of our
understanding of central banking and
social insurance--indeed, one of my
most advanced macroeconomic classes
was nothing but a set of changes rung
upon a particular model that Peter
Diamond had advanced at...
Is there a difference between the two? When should they be used?
differences synonyms
edited Mar 6 '11 at 23:40
Jimi Oke
24.7k265102
asked Aug 8 '10 at 0:57
ViviVivi
72231320
Which one should should I use? For some reason I have always used "towards", but I see some people saying "toward", like here:
A great deal of his work in economic
theory has been directed toward
strengthening the foundations of our
understanding of central banking and
social insurance--indeed, one of my
most advanced macroeconomic classes
was nothing but a set of changes rung
upon a particular model that Peter
Diamond had advanced at...
Is there a difference between the two? When should they be used?
differences synonyms
differences synonyms
edited Mar 6 '11 at 23:40
Jimi Oke
24.7k265102
asked Aug 8 '10 at 0:57
ViviVivi
72231320
edited Mar 6 '11 at 23:40
Jimi Oke
24.7k265102
asked Aug 8 '10 at 0:57
ViviVivi
72231320
edited Mar 6 '11 at 23:40
Jimi Oke
24.7k265102
edited Mar 6 '11 at 23:40
Jimi Oke
24.7k265102
edited Mar 6 '11 at 23:40
Jimi Oke
24.7k265102
24.7k265102
asked Aug 8 '10 at 0:57
ViviVivi
72231320
asked Aug 8 '10 at 0:57
ViviVivi
72231320
asked Aug 8 '10 at 0:57
ViviVivi
72231320
72231320
I vote to close as this has been asked many, many times before.
– The Raven
Mar 16 '11 at 0:46
8
@The Raven: note the date. This question was asked seven months ago. It was our 71st question, out of the 4200 we currently have. And it was the first one to deal with this particular issue. There are a few younger questions that might be considered dupes of this one, but not the other way round.
– RegDwigнt♦
Mar 16 '11 at 2:16
2
It seems also to apply tobackwardvs.backwardsandforwardvs.forwards. I would ask ifbeside/besidesis of the same kind.
– Val
Aug 16 '13 at 9:52
add a comment |
I vote to close as this has been asked many, many times before.
– The Raven
Mar 16 '11 at 0:46
8
@The Raven: note the date. This question was asked seven months ago. It was our 71st question, out of the 4200 we currently have. And it was the first one to deal with this particular issue. There are a few younger questions that might be considered dupes of this one, but not the other way round.
– RegDwigнt♦
Mar 16 '11 at 2:16
2
It seems also to apply tobackwardvs.backwardsandforwardvs.forwards. I would ask ifbeside/besidesis of the same kind.
– Val
Aug 16 '13 at 9:52
I vote to close as this has been asked many, many times before.
– The Raven
Mar 16 '11 at 0:46
I vote to close as this has been asked many, many times before.
– The Raven
Mar 16 '11 at 0:46
8
8
@The Raven: note the date. This question was asked seven months ago. It was our 71st question, out of the 4200 we currently have. And it was the first one to deal with this particular issue. There are a few younger questions that might be considered dupes of this one, but not the other way round.
– RegDwigнt♦
Mar 16 '11 at 2:16
@The Raven: note the date. This question was asked seven months ago. It was our 71st question, out of the 4200 we currently have. And it was the first one to deal with this particular issue. There are a few younger questions that might be considered dupes of this one, but not the other way round.
– RegDwigнt♦
Mar 16 '11 at 2:16
2
2
It seems also to apply to
backward vs. backwards and forward vs. forwards. I would ask if beside/besides is of the same kind.– Val
Aug 16 '13 at 9:52
It seems also to apply to
backward vs. backwards and forward vs. forwards. I would ask if beside/besides is of the same kind.– Val
Aug 16 '13 at 9:52
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
The Common Errors in English Usage site mentions:
These two words are interchangeable, but “toward” is more common in the US and “towards” in the UK.
Some people, probably influenced by “forwards,” write “torwards” instead of the correct “towards.”
The merriam-webster simply list both words under the same entry, with similar ethymology:
- toward: Middle English
toward, from Old Englishtōweardfacing, imminent, fromtō, preposition, to +-weard -ward
- towards: Middle English
towardes, from Old Englishtōweardes, preposition, toward, fromtōweard, adjective
answered Aug 8 '10 at 1:06
VonCVonC
12.7k56261
add a comment |
Despite the trend that "toward" is more common in the U.S. and that "towards" is more common in the U.K., I still see quite a bit of inconsistency within the same country, within the same publications.
For example:
The New York Times with "towards":
nytimes.com/2002/08/31/opinion/slouching-towards-9-11.html
"Slouching Towards 9/11"
The New York Times with "toward":
nytimes.com/2010/02/04/world/europe/04tuna.html
"Europe Leans Toward Bluefin Trade Ban"
But for the most part, the Times seems to dominantly use "toward", and then "towards" when quoting a British interviewee, which further supports the claim about the geographical distinction.
I suppose either one is fine as long as you're consistent.
answered Dec 30 '10 at 20:55
chimericalchimerical
3334614
6
The first NYTimes example is in effect a literary quotation. It is an echo of W.B. Yeats' "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" (echoed later by Joan Didion's book of the same title).
– jbelacqua
Mar 15 '11 at 23:45
add a comment |
I'd say they are interchangeable. I've stopped using "towards" altogether and started just using "toward." It definitely is smoother in sentences.
edited Mar 16 '11 at 0:29
jbelacqua
2,2561321
answered Nov 11 '10 at 21:42
Anonymous TypeAnonymous Type
4382516
add a comment |
My sister got a journalism degree at MSU in the USA. She said (40 years ago) there is no such word as 'towards'. The 's' adds nothing and only makes users sound ignorant, IMHO. I am reading a book right now with copious use of towards, forwards, and upwards. I am wincing so much I can barely contain it. So I check the author's blurb and find out he's British. Bur this is one Britishism that doesn't sound quaint. It sounds ignorant.
answered yesterday
user341011user341011
1
New contributor
user341011 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Please provide a verifiable source.
– JJJ
yesterday
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "97"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f286%2ftoward-or-towards%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
The Common Errors in English Usage site mentions:
These two words are interchangeable, but “toward” is more common in the US and “towards” in the UK.
Some people, probably influenced by “forwards,” write “torwards” instead of the correct “towards.”
The merriam-webster simply list both words under the same entry, with similar ethymology:
- toward: Middle English
toward, from Old Englishtōweardfacing, imminent, fromtō, preposition, to +-weard -ward
- towards: Middle English
towardes, from Old Englishtōweardes, preposition, toward, fromtōweard, adjective
answered Aug 8 '10 at 1:06
VonCVonC
12.7k56261
add a comment |
The Common Errors in English Usage site mentions:
These two words are interchangeable, but “toward” is more common in the US and “towards” in the UK.
Some people, probably influenced by “forwards,” write “torwards” instead of the correct “towards.”
The merriam-webster simply list both words under the same entry, with similar ethymology:
- toward: Middle English
toward, from Old Englishtōweardfacing, imminent, fromtō, preposition, to +-weard -ward
- towards: Middle English
towardes, from Old Englishtōweardes, preposition, toward, fromtōweard, adjective
answered Aug 8 '10 at 1:06
VonCVonC
12.7k56261
add a comment |
The Common Errors in English Usage site mentions:
These two words are interchangeable, but “toward” is more common in the US and “towards” in the UK.
Some people, probably influenced by “forwards,” write “torwards” instead of the correct “towards.”
The merriam-webster simply list both words under the same entry, with similar ethymology:
- toward: Middle English
toward, from Old Englishtōweardfacing, imminent, fromtō, preposition, to +-weard -ward
- towards: Middle English
towardes, from Old Englishtōweardes, preposition, toward, fromtōweard, adjective
answered Aug 8 '10 at 1:06
VonCVonC
12.7k56261
The Common Errors in English Usage site mentions:
These two words are interchangeable, but “toward” is more common in the US and “towards” in the UK.
Some people, probably influenced by “forwards,” write “torwards” instead of the correct “towards.”
The merriam-webster simply list both words under the same entry, with similar ethymology:
- toward: Middle English
toward, from Old Englishtōweardfacing, imminent, fromtō, preposition, to +-weard -ward
- towards: Middle English
towardes, from Old Englishtōweardes, preposition, toward, fromtōweard, adjective
answered Aug 8 '10 at 1:06
VonCVonC
12.7k56261
answered Aug 8 '10 at 1:06
VonCVonC
12.7k56261
answered Aug 8 '10 at 1:06
VonCVonC
12.7k56261
answered Aug 8 '10 at 1:06
VonCVonC
12.7k56261
12.7k56261
add a comment |
add a comment |
Despite the trend that "toward" is more common in the U.S. and that "towards" is more common in the U.K., I still see quite a bit of inconsistency within the same country, within the same publications.
For example:
The New York Times with "towards":
nytimes.com/2002/08/31/opinion/slouching-towards-9-11.html
"Slouching Towards 9/11"
The New York Times with "toward":
nytimes.com/2010/02/04/world/europe/04tuna.html
"Europe Leans Toward Bluefin Trade Ban"
But for the most part, the Times seems to dominantly use "toward", and then "towards" when quoting a British interviewee, which further supports the claim about the geographical distinction.
I suppose either one is fine as long as you're consistent.
answered Dec 30 '10 at 20:55
chimericalchimerical
3334614
6
The first NYTimes example is in effect a literary quotation. It is an echo of W.B. Yeats' "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" (echoed later by Joan Didion's book of the same title).
– jbelacqua
Mar 15 '11 at 23:45
add a comment |
Despite the trend that "toward" is more common in the U.S. and that "towards" is more common in the U.K., I still see quite a bit of inconsistency within the same country, within the same publications.
For example:
The New York Times with "towards":
nytimes.com/2002/08/31/opinion/slouching-towards-9-11.html
"Slouching Towards 9/11"
The New York Times with "toward":
nytimes.com/2010/02/04/world/europe/04tuna.html
"Europe Leans Toward Bluefin Trade Ban"
But for the most part, the Times seems to dominantly use "toward", and then "towards" when quoting a British interviewee, which further supports the claim about the geographical distinction.
I suppose either one is fine as long as you're consistent.
answered Dec 30 '10 at 20:55
chimericalchimerical
3334614
6
The first NYTimes example is in effect a literary quotation. It is an echo of W.B. Yeats' "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" (echoed later by Joan Didion's book of the same title).
– jbelacqua
Mar 15 '11 at 23:45
add a comment |
Despite the trend that "toward" is more common in the U.S. and that "towards" is more common in the U.K., I still see quite a bit of inconsistency within the same country, within the same publications.
For example:
The New York Times with "towards":
nytimes.com/2002/08/31/opinion/slouching-towards-9-11.html
"Slouching Towards 9/11"
The New York Times with "toward":
nytimes.com/2010/02/04/world/europe/04tuna.html
"Europe Leans Toward Bluefin Trade Ban"
But for the most part, the Times seems to dominantly use "toward", and then "towards" when quoting a British interviewee, which further supports the claim about the geographical distinction.
I suppose either one is fine as long as you're consistent.
answered Dec 30 '10 at 20:55
chimericalchimerical
3334614
Despite the trend that "toward" is more common in the U.S. and that "towards" is more common in the U.K., I still see quite a bit of inconsistency within the same country, within the same publications.
For example:
The New York Times with "towards":
nytimes.com/2002/08/31/opinion/slouching-towards-9-11.html
"Slouching Towards 9/11"
The New York Times with "toward":
nytimes.com/2010/02/04/world/europe/04tuna.html
"Europe Leans Toward Bluefin Trade Ban"
But for the most part, the Times seems to dominantly use "toward", and then "towards" when quoting a British interviewee, which further supports the claim about the geographical distinction.
I suppose either one is fine as long as you're consistent.
answered Dec 30 '10 at 20:55
chimericalchimerical
3334614
answered Dec 30 '10 at 20:55
chimericalchimerical
3334614
answered Dec 30 '10 at 20:55
chimericalchimerical
3334614
answered Dec 30 '10 at 20:55
chimericalchimerical
3334614
3334614
6
The first NYTimes example is in effect a literary quotation. It is an echo of W.B. Yeats' "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" (echoed later by Joan Didion's book of the same title).
– jbelacqua
Mar 15 '11 at 23:45
add a comment |
6
The first NYTimes example is in effect a literary quotation. It is an echo of W.B. Yeats' "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" (echoed later by Joan Didion's book of the same title).
– jbelacqua
Mar 15 '11 at 23:45
6
6
The first NYTimes example is in effect a literary quotation. It is an echo of W.B. Yeats' "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" (echoed later by Joan Didion's book of the same title).
– jbelacqua
Mar 15 '11 at 23:45
The first NYTimes example is in effect a literary quotation. It is an echo of W.B. Yeats' "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" (echoed later by Joan Didion's book of the same title).
– jbelacqua
Mar 15 '11 at 23:45
add a comment |
I'd say they are interchangeable. I've stopped using "towards" altogether and started just using "toward." It definitely is smoother in sentences.
edited Mar 16 '11 at 0:29
jbelacqua
2,2561321
answered Nov 11 '10 at 21:42
Anonymous TypeAnonymous Type
4382516
add a comment |
I'd say they are interchangeable. I've stopped using "towards" altogether and started just using "toward." It definitely is smoother in sentences.
edited Mar 16 '11 at 0:29
jbelacqua
2,2561321
answered Nov 11 '10 at 21:42
Anonymous TypeAnonymous Type
4382516
add a comment |
I'd say they are interchangeable. I've stopped using "towards" altogether and started just using "toward." It definitely is smoother in sentences.
edited Mar 16 '11 at 0:29
jbelacqua
2,2561321
answered Nov 11 '10 at 21:42
Anonymous TypeAnonymous Type
4382516
I'd say they are interchangeable. I've stopped using "towards" altogether and started just using "toward." It definitely is smoother in sentences.
edited Mar 16 '11 at 0:29
jbelacqua
2,2561321
answered Nov 11 '10 at 21:42
Anonymous TypeAnonymous Type
4382516
edited Mar 16 '11 at 0:29
jbelacqua
2,2561321
edited Mar 16 '11 at 0:29
jbelacqua
2,2561321
edited Mar 16 '11 at 0:29
jbelacqua
2,2561321
2,2561321
answered Nov 11 '10 at 21:42
Anonymous TypeAnonymous Type
4382516
answered Nov 11 '10 at 21:42
Anonymous TypeAnonymous Type
4382516
answered Nov 11 '10 at 21:42
Anonymous TypeAnonymous Type
4382516
4382516
add a comment |
add a comment |
My sister got a journalism degree at MSU in the USA. She said (40 years ago) there is no such word as 'towards'. The 's' adds nothing and only makes users sound ignorant, IMHO. I am reading a book right now with copious use of towards, forwards, and upwards. I am wincing so much I can barely contain it. So I check the author's blurb and find out he's British. Bur this is one Britishism that doesn't sound quaint. It sounds ignorant.
answered yesterday
user341011user341011
1
New contributor
user341011 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Please provide a verifiable source.
– JJJ
yesterday
add a comment |
My sister got a journalism degree at MSU in the USA. She said (40 years ago) there is no such word as 'towards'. The 's' adds nothing and only makes users sound ignorant, IMHO. I am reading a book right now with copious use of towards, forwards, and upwards. I am wincing so much I can barely contain it. So I check the author's blurb and find out he's British. Bur this is one Britishism that doesn't sound quaint. It sounds ignorant.
answered yesterday
user341011user341011
1
New contributor
user341011 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Please provide a verifiable source.
– JJJ
yesterday
add a comment |
My sister got a journalism degree at MSU in the USA. She said (40 years ago) there is no such word as 'towards'. The 's' adds nothing and only makes users sound ignorant, IMHO. I am reading a book right now with copious use of towards, forwards, and upwards. I am wincing so much I can barely contain it. So I check the author's blurb and find out he's British. Bur this is one Britishism that doesn't sound quaint. It sounds ignorant.
answered yesterday
user341011user341011
1
New contributor
user341011 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
My sister got a journalism degree at MSU in the USA. She said (40 years ago) there is no such word as 'towards'. The 's' adds nothing and only makes users sound ignorant, IMHO. I am reading a book right now with copious use of towards, forwards, and upwards. I am wincing so much I can barely contain it. So I check the author's blurb and find out he's British. Bur this is one Britishism that doesn't sound quaint. It sounds ignorant.
answered yesterday
user341011user341011
1
New contributor
user341011 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered yesterday
user341011user341011
1
New contributor
user341011 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered yesterday
user341011user341011
1
answered yesterday
user341011user341011
1
1
New contributor
user341011 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
user341011 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
user341011 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Please provide a verifiable source.
– JJJ
yesterday
add a comment |
Please provide a verifiable source.
– JJJ
yesterday
Please provide a verifiable source.
– JJJ
yesterday
Please provide a verifiable source.
– JJJ
yesterday
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f286%2ftoward-or-towards%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
I vote to close as this has been asked many, many times before.
– The Raven
Mar 16 '11 at 0:46
8
@The Raven: note the date. This question was asked seven months ago. It was our 71st question, out of the 4200 we currently have. And it was the first one to deal with this particular issue. There are a few younger questions that might be considered dupes of this one, but not the other way round.
– RegDwigнt♦
Mar 16 '11 at 2:16
2
It seems also to apply to
backwardvs.backwardsandforwardvs.forwards. I would ask ifbeside/besidesis of the same kind.– Val
Aug 16 '13 at 9:52