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Toward or towards?

The words toward and towards can cause confusion and unease in people’s writing because not many of us are sure when to use which one. It’s worth taking notes that both words are directional words, in other words, most of the times they are going to indicate a certain case that has a relationship with movement toward something or someone.

Furthermore, some people differentiate the two words in various ways, but these preferences are not borne out (proven) in the usage of most English speakers. 
Neither form is more formal or informal or more or less logical than the other. Some dictionaries support this idea: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/toward (Oxford Dictionarry) and https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/towards (Macmillan dictionary). However, you can use whichever sounds better to you.

Toward and towards are both prepositional words that mean in the direction of something or someone, in a position facing something or someone, with regard to someone or something; in relation to someone or something, or in furtherance of something or someone.
  1. The thief is driving toward(s) Eduardo Mondlane Avenue. (direction)
  2. All windows face toward(s) Lipombo's river. (direction)
  3. Carlos’ attitude toward(s) his work has always been very positive. (relationship)

  • You can find these prepositions suggesting a situation where a conclusion or agreement is to be taken or taken: 
  1. The former MF drifted Mozambique toward(s) an economical blackhole. 
  2. Lately, the CYCLONE IDAI has worsened the underdevelopment provinces in most countries in Africa, so each country’s spokesperson has literally said that we are toward(s) a devastating season. 
  3. His demeanor showed filthiness toward(s) his parents.
  • You can also use these prepositions to say that something is close or near a period of time.
  1. Toward(s) the end of the afternoon it began to rain.
  2. It was toward(s) midnight when finally she sent the children off to bed.
  3. I’ll call you later on toward(s) the end of the week.
PS: Toward is the preferred spelling in the (U.S.A) United States of America and Canada. In other English-speaking countries, such as the (U.K) United Kingdom and Australia, towards is the more common spelling.

I hope this article has helped you out understanding both differences and how interchangeably (🔄) you can both prepositons. Please, don't forget to share and subscribe to my blog! Thanks a bunch!



Warmest regards,
PBC- Department of Scientific English Language
CEO (Chief Executive Officer):
Pedro Benny C.

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