Is it Toward or Towards? Upwards or Upward?

English is full of words that seem the same, but have subtle differences in their spelling and usage. These tricky words seem designed specifically to trip you up. Recently, we tackled ensure vs. insure. Today, let's take on another vocabulary conundrum: Toward or towards? And upward or upwards?

Or does it even matter?

The Short Answer

Both are correct, and they can be used interchangeably depending on your personal preference.

Is One Ever Better?

The real difference between the two forms is whether the word is an adverb or an adjective. In general, when you're in need of an adjective, remove the “s.” Add it back on if you're looking for an adverb.

Sandra looked upwards at the gathering clouds and wished she'd remembered her umbrella.

Doug let go of a balloon and watched its upward motion as it drifted towards the sky.

This is true for most -ward words: downward, upward, forward, backward, toward, etc.

The main exception is afterward(s), which is always an adverb. In that case, the “s” is a signal of formality level. It's considered more formal writing to omit it.

But Why Are There Two Versions?

I know I just told you to use an “s” to make an adverb or drop it to make an adjective. But really, that's a guideline, not a hard-and-fast rule. Both have been in use interchangeably since the 9th century.

This is one of those areas where American English and British English diverge. In general, no matter which part of speech they're using, Americans prefer to drop the “s,” and British spelling likes to include it. But as I said, both are correct spellings.

Even style guides differ in their recommendations. The Chicago Manual of Style acknowledges the differing approaches of American and British English, while AP style states that “toward” is correct and “towards” is just wrong (at least for organizations that use their guide to indicate preferred spellings).

(In fact, “s” or no “s,” “toward(s)” is almost always a preposition, occasionally an adjective. But it's not an adverb, so adding the “s” doesn't suggest any extra meaning.)

Toward or Towards? Consistency is Key

American spelling, British spelling, or adverbs vs. adjectives? All of these standards are valid, and you can decide which guide you prefer.

No matter which version you pick, just be sure to maintain consistency.

And with this vocabulary confusion un-muddled, it's onwards and upwards! (Or . . . onward and upward? Oh dear.)

Need more grammar help? Once you master toward (or towards?), check out my favorite tool that helps find grammar problems and even generates reports to help improve my writing: ProWritingAid. Works with Word, Scrivener, Google Docs, and web browsers. Also, be sure to use my coupon code to get 20 percent off: WritePractice20

Coupon Code:WritePractice20 »American, British, or adverbs vs. adjectives—which style do you use? Let us know in the comments.

PRACTICE

Write about baseball for fifteen minutes. Use the -ward words as much as you can with or without the “s,” depending on whether it's an adjective or an adverb. Post your practice in the Pro Practice Workshop here and take some time to read the practices of your fellow writers too.

Liz Bureman

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Liz Bureman has a more-than-healthy interest in proper grammatical structure, accurate spelling, and the underappreciated semicolon. When she's not diagramming sentences and reading blogs about how terribly written the Twilight series is, she edits for the Write Practice, causes trouble in Denver, and plays guitar very slowly and poorly. You can follow her on Twitter (@epbure), where she tweets more about music of the mid-90s than writing.