Grammar 7 min read

Toward vs. Towards: An Easy Guide on When to use Which

Main Toward vs. Towards Takeaways:

  • When toward and towards are prepositions, they have the same meaning. They are interchangeable.
  • The only difference between toward and towards as prepositions is regional.
  • Toward is preferred in the U.S. and Canada, while Australia and the United Kingdom typically use towards.
  • Both toward and towards mean “in the direction of.” They can also indicate relation or purpose.
  • However, when an adjective, only toward (no ‘S’) is correct. This usage is rare.
(Preposition) We must continue to work toward our goals despite any challenges.
(Preposition)We must continue to work towards our goals despite any challenges.
(Adjective) What is the status on the project toward?
(Adjective)What is the status on the project towards?

Should you walk toward the museum or towards it? Have your feelings changed toward or towards your ex? As prepositions, both words are acceptable. The only difference between them is where each is commonly used.

toward vs. towards: both are preposition with the same meaning.
Toward and towards are prepositions with the same meaning. Toward is preferred in the U.S. and Canada, while Australia and the United Kingdom typically use towards.

What is the Difference Between Toward and Towards?

As a preposition, toward and towards are both correct. The only real difference between the two words is the letter ‘S’ at the end. Traditionally, toward (no ‘S’) is more common in the U.S. and Canada. Meanwhile, towards (with the ‘S’) is more common in Australia and the United Kingdom. Towards is also the preferred term for informal conversations in the U.S., especially in the south. Regardless of which spelling you choose, both words have the same meaning. However, when an adjective, only towardis correct.

What Does Toward Mean?

As a preposition, toward is a directional word. As a result, towardmeans in the direction of. Figuratively, it can mean in relation to or for the purpose of. Rarely, toward can be an adjective instead. In this case, toward references something that is going on or in progress. Toward and towards are interchangeable as prepositions.However, when toward is an adjective, don’t add an ‘s’ at the end of the word.

Is something differenttoward?
Towarddefinition:(preposition) in the direction of; in relation to; for the purpose of

Towardsdefinition:(preposition) in the direction of; in relation to; for the purpose of

Is There Such a Word as Towards?

Yes, towards is a real word and it can be used interchangeably with toward. Towardsandtoward function as prepositions in sentences. They both refer to the direction of someone or something. Both terms could also mean close in location or time.

The only difference between towards and toward is that towards is commonly used in British English. Meanwhile, toward is favored in American English. Other than that, these two words hold the same meaning and function.

The flowers lean towards the direction of the sun.
My family and I are going on a vacation towards the end of the month.
The car is heading towards town.
My uncle darted towards the house when it started raining.
She nodded her head towards the library.

Is Towards Plural?

Towards (with an ‘S’) is not plural. Typically, nouns can be singular or plural. Since towards is usually a preposition (and rarely, an adjective), it can’t be plural. Therefore, the difference between toward vs. towards is not singular vs. plural. In fact, it’s not grammatical at all. Instead, the difference is regional. For example, toward without an ‘S’ is more North American but towards with an ‘S’ is more British. Both are correct and interchangeable.

How Do You Use Towards in a Sentence?

Here are examples of how to use towards in a sentence:

(Direction)I headedtowardsthe store that had avocados on sale. (direction)
(Relation)My feelingstowardmy coworker weren’t the same after she confessed she stole my desert
(Relation)Monica felt differentlytowardsJerry after she learned of his past. (relation)
(Purpose) Jim’s money is goingtowardsa new motorcycle, much to his wife’s dismay.
(Direction)The snake slitheredtowardsthe hiker’s legs.
(Purpose)Penelope will continue workingtowardsa settlement agreement with her former employer.
Lana quickly grew bored during the presentation, as it wasgeared towardyounger kids.

Since towards is acting as a preposition in all of the above examples, you could easily use toward instead.

Use toward ortowards in a sentence when you need to express direction, a relationship, or purpose. Remember that you always need an object with these words because toward and towards are prepositions.

Remember, your sentence formula should always be toward(s) + object. An object is a noun or pronoun affected by a preposition or verb.

Two panels. First panel has the word toward together with the flags of the United States and Canada. Second panel contains the text towards together with the flags of the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Ireland, and Australia.
“Toward” is commonly used in the United States and Canada. Meanwhile, British English-speaking countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland prefer the term “towards.”

Can You End a Sentence with Toward?

When toward is acting as a preposition, it’s best to avoid ending a sentence with toward. This is because, traditionally, it’s bad grammatical form to end a sentence on a preposition. That said, if you are writing a formal document, essay, or paper, avoid ending a sentence on a preposition. However, if you are speaking informally or writing an informal note, email, or text, it’s okay to break this “rule.” Conversely, when toward is acting as an adjective, it can (and usually does) come at the end of a sentence.

Toward and towards can be used interchangeably as prepositions. But as an adjective, only toward (no ‘S’) is correct.

What Does Geared Towards Mean?

When someone uses the phrase “geared towards,” they mean something is intended for a particular purpose or audience. You can also say “geared toward.”

Sometimes English speakers say “geared to” instead of “geared toward,” but that’s usually not grammatically correct.
Evan is looking for a home loan seminargeared towardsfirst-time buyers.
The housing assistance fund was geared toward single parents or unemployed adults.
R-rated films are geared towards mature audiences.
I understand you’re searching for a new job geared toward your unique skill set.

What are Some Synonyms for Toward?

Synonyms for toward include “approaching,” “proceeding,” “via,” “facing,” and “against.” There are also some phrases you can replace toward with, including:

  • in the direction of
  • in the vicinity
  • not quite
  • on the road to
  • in relation to
  • close to
  • shortly before

These phrases aren’t always exact substitutes for toward or towards. It depends on how you use the preposition in your sentence.

How Do You Say Toward?

You can pronounce toward like tord, tawrd, or tuh-word. Some people also say tword.

There is not an ‘r’ sound in the first part of toward, but some people mispronounce the word as tor-word. You may also hear it pronounced like tow-word with a long ‘o,’ but this is incorrect.

Think of the word toured to help yourself remember how to say toward. Though spelled differently, both words have similar pronunciations.

Remember: either version is acceptable when you’re using the word as a preposition. Stick with toward when you need an adjective.

Quick Toward vs. Towards Grammar Quiz

Toward vs. Towards Question #1

What part of speech is "toward"?
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is C. “Toward” is a preposition that means "in the direction of." It can also indicate relation or purpose.

Toward or Towards Question #2

What part of speech is "toward"?
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is A. “Toward” is the preferred form in the U.S.

Toward or Towards Question #3

Which of these sentences is correct?
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is A. When using toward as an adjective, don't add an “s” at the end of the word.

Toward or Towards Question #4

Which of these is NOT a synonym for toward?
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is C. "Away from" is the opposite of "toward."

Read More: Grey Or Gray: One Color, Two Spellings

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Pam Weber

Pam is an expert grammarian with years of experience teaching English, Writing and ESL Grammar courses at the university level. She is enamored with all things language and fascinated with how we use words to shape our world.

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