Have you ever found yourself wondering about the difference between -ward and -wards? Is there really a difference?
Regional Differences
Let’s take a look. Regardless of that terminal s, -ward/-wards are used to form adverbs, and the -ward/-wards adverbs allow writers to convey movement and orientation. For example:
- forward(s)
- backward(s)
- upward(s)
- downward(s)
- inward(s)
- outward(s)
- northward(s)
- southward(s)
- eastward(s)
- westward(s)
The main difference between -ward and -ward is the regional preference for these suffixes. In American English, the common practice is to use -ward without the s. For instance, forward and backward are widely embraced across the United States, while on the other side of the pond, where British English is used, the preferred form is with the s—embracing -wards in words like forwards and backwards.
Let’s check out some examples:
- American English: “The team progressed steadily forward, determined to achieve victory.”
- British English: “She gazed longingly forwards, dreaming of a brighter future.”
- American English: “The company took a step backward to reassess its strategy.”
- British English: “In times of uncertainty, looking backwards can help us learn from history.”
Written Versus Spoken
This only applies to written language. If you hear a person who was born and raised in the United States speak, you will likely hear them use the -wards suffix—and that’s okay! The -wards/-ward distinction only really comes up in professionally written and edited works. Even then, if the writer has a strong preference for the variant not found in their language, the writer and editor may agree to stet the use throughout and just add it to the style sheet.
To summarize, the proper usage of -ward and -wards depends on the variant of English being used. If you’re unsure of which one to use, consider checking out a dictionary like Merriam-Webster.com. Often, the dictionary can help identify regional preferences.
Happy writing,
Rita