If you’ve ever wondered whether you should write toward or towards, you’re not alone. These two words look almost identical, have the same meaning, and are often used interchangeably.
Yet you’ll notice that American books, newspapers, and websites usually prefer toward, while British publications frequently use towards.
So, which one is correct?
The short answer is that both are grammatically correct. The difference isn’t about meaning or grammar—it’s mainly about regional preference and writing style.
Choosing the right form helps your writing sound more natural to your audience and keeps your style consistent.
In this guide, you’ll learn the difference between toward vs towards, when each form is preferred, what major style guides recommend, common mistakes to avoid, and plenty of real-life examples to help you use both confidently.
Quick Answer
Both “toward” and “towards” are correct. They have the same meaning and function as prepositions.
- Toward is the preferred spelling in American English.
- Towards is more common in British English, Australian English, and many other varieties of English.
- Neither word is more formal or more grammatical than the other. Simply use the version that matches your audience and remain consistent throughout your writing.
Toward vs Towards Comparison Table
| Feature | Toward | Towards |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | In the direction of | In the direction of |
| Part of Speech | Preposition | Preposition |
| Pronunciation | /təˈwɔːrd/ (US), /təˈwɔːd/ (UK) | /təˈwɔːrdz/, /təˈwɔːdz/ |
| Definition | Indicates movement, direction, purpose, or relationship | Same meaning as toward |
| Grammar | Correct | Correct |
| American English | Preferred | Less common |
| British English | Acceptable but less common | Preferred |
| Canadian English | Both used, toward often preferred in formal writing | Common in everyday use |
| Australian English | Used | More common |
| Formal Writing | Common in US publications | Common in UK publications |
| Academic Writing | Depends on style guide | Depends on regional style |
| AP Style | Recommends toward | Generally avoided |
| Chicago Manual of Style | Prefers toward | Less preferred |
| Oxford Style | Accepts both; towards is common in UK English | Preferred in UK contexts |
| Meaning Difference | None | None |
| Common Mistake | Mixing with towards in the same document | Mixing with toward inconsistently |
| Best Use | Writing for American readers | Writing for British readers |
Toward vs Towards: What’s the Difference?
The biggest misconception is that toward and towards have different meanings. They do not.
Both words express:
- movement in a particular direction
- orientation
- progress toward a goal
- attitude or relationship
- approximation
The only meaningful distinction is regional usage.
Think of it like these word pairs:
| American English | British English |
|---|---|
| toward | towards |
| afterward | afterwards |
| forward | forwards |
| upward | upwards |
| backward | backwards |
In many cases, American English prefers forms without the final -s, while British English commonly uses forms with the final -s.
This pattern explains why toward appears much more frequently in American publications, whereas towards is widespread in the UK.
When to Use “Toward”
Use toward when writing primarily for an American audience or when following American style guides.
You’ll see toward in:
- American newspapers
- US government documents
- Business writing
- Academic papers following American style
- AP Style publications
- Chicago Manual of Style publications
Meaning
Toward expresses movement, direction, attitude, purpose, or progress.
Common Uses of “Toward”
- Moving in a direction
- Showing an attitude
- Working toward a goal
- Facing something
- Indicating proximity in time or completion
Examples
- She walked toward the station.
- We are moving toward a better solution.
- His attitude toward customers is excellent.
- The company is working toward sustainability.
- The child ran toward his mother.
- Scientists continue working toward a cure.
- The team made progress toward its objective.
- Please turn toward the window.
- Public opinion shifted toward stricter regulations.
- They sailed toward the island before sunset.
Professional Writing
American businesses almost always use toward because it aligns with major U.S. editorial standards.
Example:
Our organization remains committed toward improving customer satisfaction.
When to Use “Towards”
If your readers are primarily in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or many Commonwealth countries, towards is often the more natural choice.
Although toward is still understood in these regions, towards tends to match local writing habits and reader expectations.
Meaning
Like toward, towards indicates direction, movement, attitude, purpose, or progress. The meaning remains exactly the same.
Common Uses of “Towards”
You can use towards when referring to:
- Physical movement
- Emotional attitude
- Progress toward a target
- Direction in space
- Figurative movement or development
Examples
- She walked towards the entrance.
- The children ran towards the playground.
- His attitude towards teamwork is positive.
- We are working towards a long-term solution.
- The train travelled towards London.
- They looked towards the mountains.
- Public opinion is moving towards cleaner energy.
- Investors are shifting towards sustainable businesses.
- He leaned towards the microphone before speaking.
- The committee is working towards a final agreement.
British Writing
You’ll commonly find towards in:
- BBC articles
- UK newspapers
- British novels
- UK government publications
- British academic writing
- Everyday communication in the UK
Key Differences Between Toward and Towards
Although toward and towards have the same meaning, there are a few practical differences worth remembering.
| Feature | Toward | Towards |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Same | Same |
| Grammar | Correct | Correct |
| American English | Preferred | Less common |
| British English | Accepted | Preferred |
| AP Style | Recommended | Not preferred |
| Chicago Manual of Style | Recommended | Generally avoided |
| Oxford Style | Acceptable | Commonly used |
| Formality | Neutral | Neutral |
| Everyday Speech | Common in the US | Common in the UK |
The Main Difference
The only real difference is regional preference.
- If you’re writing for Americans, choose toward.
- If you’re writing for British readers, choose towards.
- Never switch between the two spellings within the same document unless you’re quoting someone or preserving the original wording.
Quick Tip: Neither word is more “correct” than the other. Your audience determines which one sounds most natural.
Grammar Explanation
From a grammar perspective, there is no difference between toward and towards. They perform exactly the same job in a sentence.
Part of Speech
Both words are prepositions.
A preposition connects a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence by expressing direction, place, time, purpose, or relationship.
Examples
- We drove toward the airport.
- They walked towards the museum.
In both sentences, the preposition shows direction.
Meaning
Both words can express:
- Direction
- Movement
- Purpose
- Attitude
- Progress
- Relationship
Examples
- She smiled toward me.
- She smiled towards me.
Both are equally grammatical.
Sentence Position
Both usually appear before a noun or pronoun.
Examples:
- toward the house
- towards the city
- toward him
- towards her
Verb Relationship
The verb does not change depending on whether you use toward or towards.
Correct:
- Walk toward the door.
- Walk towards the door.
Incorrect:
- Walks towardsed the door.
- Towarding the station.
The preposition never changes form.
Articles
Articles work exactly the same.
Examples:
- toward the office
- toward a solution
- towards the meeting room
- towards an agreement
Plural Nouns
Both work naturally with singular and plural nouns.
Examples:
- toward the student
- toward the students
- towards the employee
- towards the employees
Possessives
Possessive nouns are unaffected.
Examples:
- toward John’s office
- towards Sarah’s house
Capitalization
Do not capitalize toward or towards unless they begin a sentence or appear in a title.
Correct:
- Toward the end of the meeting…
- Towards the finish line…
Incorrect:
- We walked Toward the station.
- She looked Towards him.
Punctuation
Neither word requires special punctuation.
Correct:
- He moved toward the door.
- They headed towards the park after lunch.
Hyphenation
Never hyphenate these words.
Correct:
- toward
- towards
Incorrect:
- to-ward
- to-wards
Style Guide Recommendations
Different editorial style guides have different preferences.
| Style Guide | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| AP Style | Use toward |
| Chicago Manual of Style | Prefer toward |
| MLA | Follow the regional variety of English you’re using |
| APA | Use the spelling appropriate for your audience |
| Oxford Style | Towards is common in British English |
The key is consistency. Once you choose one form, use it throughout your document.
American English vs British English
This is where the distinction becomes most noticeable.
American English
American English strongly favors toward.
You’ll regularly see it in:
- Newspapers
- Government publications
- Business reports
- Academic journals
- Legal writing
- Corporate communications
Example:
The company is moving toward digital transformation.
British English
British English generally prefers towards.
It’s common in:
- Newspapers
- Novels
- Government websites
- Schools and universities
- Everyday conversation
Example:
The company is moving towards digital transformation.
Canadian English
Canadian English accepts both forms. However, many formal publications lean slightly toward toward, especially when following American editorial standards.
Australian and New Zealand English
Australian and New Zealand English usually favor towards, although toward is still understood and occasionally appears in international publications.
Why Do American and British English Differ?
The difference comes from historical spelling preferences rather than grammar.
American English has gradually simplified several directional words by dropping the final -s.
Compare these pairs:
| American English | British English |
|---|---|
| toward | towards |
| afterward | afterwards |
| forward | forwards |
| upward | upwards |
| backward | backwards |
This pattern reflects editorial convention, not a change in meaning.
Which Form Is More Common?
Overall, toward dominates in American English, while towards is more frequent in British English.
If your website targets an international audience, choose one version based on your primary readership and remain consistent.
For example:
- A U.S.-based company blog should consistently use toward.
- A UK educational website should consistently use towards.
Consistency improves readability and presents a more professional image.
Which Should You Use?
Choose toward if you are writing:
- For American readers
- In AP Style
- In Chicago Style
- For U.S. businesses
- For American universities
Choose towards if you are writing:
- For British readers
- For UK schools or universities
- For British publishers
- For Australian audiences
- For New Zealand audiences
Editor’s Tip: If you’re unsure which audience you’ll reach, either form is acceptable. Just don’t alternate between them in the same piece of writing.
Common Collocations
Here are some natural word combinations used with both forms.
With “Toward”
- toward success
- toward the future
- toward the exit
- toward peace
- toward recovery
- toward excellence
- toward completion
- toward the finish line
With “Towards”
- towards success
- towards the future
- towards the exit
- towards peace
- towards recovery
- towards improvement
- towards equality
- towards the finish line
The collocations are identical—the preferred spelling simply changes with the variety of English.
Real-Life Examples of Toward vs Towards
The easiest way to master toward and towards is to see them in context. Remember, the meaning stays the same—the choice depends mainly on whether you’re writing in American or British English.
Everyday Conversation
American English (Toward)
- I walked toward the bus stop after work.
- She smiled toward me when I entered the room.
- The dog ran toward its owner.
- We moved toward the front of the line.
- Everyone looked toward the stage.
British English (Towards)
- I walked towards the bus stop after work.
- She smiled towards me when I entered the room.
- The dog ran towards its owner.
- We moved towards the front of the queue.
- Everyone looked towards the stage.
Email Examples
American English
We are working toward completing the project by Friday.
Thank you for your contribution toward this initiative.
British English
We are working towards completing the project by Friday.
Thank you for your contribution towards this initiative.
School Examples
- The students walked toward the science lab.
- The students walked towards the science laboratory.
- Every small step brings you toward success.
- Every small step brings you towards success.
Business Examples
- The company is moving toward digital transformation.
- The company is moving towards digital transformation.
- We are taking another step toward our long-term goals.
- We are taking another step towards our long-term goals.
Academic Writing
- Researchers are working toward a better understanding of climate change.
- Researchers are working towards a better understanding of climate change.
Professional Writing
- This policy represents progress toward greater transparency.
- This policy represents progress towards greater transparency.
Social Media Examples
- Looking toward an exciting year ahead!
- Looking towards an exciting year ahead!
- One step toward your dreams every day.
- One step towards your dreams every day.
Text Messages
- I’m heading toward your place now.
- I’m heading towards your place now.
- Drive toward the mall.
- Drive towards the shopping centre.
Travel Examples
- The train continued toward New York.
- The train continued towards London.
- We sailed toward the island before sunset.
- We cycled towards the village after breakfast.
Daily Speaking
- She leaned toward the microphone.
- She leaned towards the microphone.
- The flowers turned toward the sunlight.
- The flowers turned towards the sunlight.
Tip: The examples above are paired to show that only the preferred regional spelling changes. The meaning and grammar remain exactly the same.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Although toward and towards are both correct, writers often make mistakes when using them.
Mistake 1: Thinking One Is Incorrect
❌ Wrong Belief
“Towards is incorrect.”
✅ Correct
Both toward and towards are grammatically correct.
Mistake 2: Mixing Spellings in One Document
❌ Inconsistent
- We moved toward the station.
- Later, we walked towards the hotel.
✅ Consistent (American English)
- We moved toward the station.
- Later, we walked toward the hotel.
✅ Consistent (British English)
- We moved towards the station.
- Later, we walked towards the hotel.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Your Audience
If you’re writing for an American publication, toward will usually sound more natural.
If you’re writing for a British audience, towards is generally the expected choice.
Mistake 4: Assuming the Meaning Changes
❌ Incorrect Assumption
Toward means one thing, while towards means another.
✅ Reality
There is no difference in meaning.
Mistake 5: Confusing Style Preference with Grammar
Many writers believe style guides are correcting grammar.
They’re not.
Style guides simply recommend the spelling that matches their preferred variety of English.
Memory Tricks
Here are a few simple ways to remember the difference.
Trick 1: Think About Your Audience
- American readers → Toward
- British readers → Towards
Trick 2: Remember the “-s” Pattern
British English often keeps the -s in directional words.
Examples:
- afterwards
- forwards
- upwards
- backwards
- towards
American English usually drops it.
- afterward
- forward
- upward
- backward
- toward
Trick 3: Follow the Style Guide
If you’re using:
- AP Style → Toward
- Chicago Style → Toward
- British publishing conventions → Towards
Trick 4: Stay Consistent
Once you’ve chosen one form, stick with it throughout your document.
Consistency is more important than the choice itself.
Quick Summary
Toward vs Towards at a Glance
- ✅ Both are grammatically correct.
- ✅ Both have the same meaning.
- ✅ Toward is preferred in American English.
- ✅ Towards is preferred in British English.
- ✅ Neither form is more formal.
- ✅ Choose the version that matches your audience.
- ✅ Be consistent throughout your writing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is toward or towards correct?
Both are correct. The preferred form depends on the variety of English you’re using.
Is toward American English?
Yes. Toward is the standard choice in American English and is recommended by major U.S. style guides such as AP Style and the Chicago Manual of Style.
Is towards British English?
Yes. Towards is the more common form in British English and is widely used across the UK and other Commonwealth countries.
Do toward and towards have different meanings?
No. They mean exactly the same thing and function as prepositions expressing direction, movement, attitude, or progress.
Which form should I use in academic writing?
Use the spelling that matches the required style guide or the variety of English specified by your institution or publisher. The key is to remain consistent.
Which form is more common worldwide?
Globally, both forms are common. Toward dominates in American English, while towards is more frequent in British English and many Commonwealth varieties of English.
Can I use toward and towards interchangeably?
Yes, but not within the same document. Choose one spelling based on your audience and use it consistently throughout your writing.
Does AP Style prefer toward or towards?
AP Style recommends toward, along with other directional forms such as forward, backward, and upward, without the final -s.
Final Verdict
When comparing toward vs towards, the most important point to remember is that both words are correct. They share the same meaning, serve the same grammatical function, and can often replace one another without changing the message.
The real difference lies in regional preference, not grammar.
- Use toward when writing for an American audience or following AP Style, the Chicago Manual of Style, or other U.S. editorial conventions.
- Use towards when writing for a British, Australian, New Zealand, or other Commonwealth audience, where the -s form is more common.
Neither spelling is more formal, more modern, or more accurate. The best choice is the one that fits your audience and remains consistent throughout your writing.
Whether you’re preparing an academic paper, a business report, a blog post, or an everyday email, choosing the appropriate regional form will make your writing look polished, professional, and natural.
Lucy Young is an English grammar educator and content writer at GarmmarPro, passionate about creating clear, engaging lessons, practical examples, and learning resources that help students improve their English with confidence.
