“Toward” vs. “Towards”: What’s the Difference?

The words toward and towards mean exactly the same thing. They both show direction, movement, or relation to something.

The only difference is regional preference — not meaning or grammar.

Toward: American English Preference

Meaning

“Toward” is preferred in American English.
It’s used to show direction (going toward the park), relation (a step toward success), or attitude (kind toward others).

Examples of “Toward” (10 total)

1. She walked toward the door.
2. The company is moving toward digital transformation.
3. His attitude toward learning is inspiring.
4. They’re working toward a common goal.
5. He ran toward the finish line.
6. The car drove toward the city center.
7. She’s making progress toward recovery.
8. The donation goes toward building a new library.
9. The crowd moved toward the stage.
10. The policy leans toward environmental protection.

🧠 Tip:
If you’re writing for U.S. readers, use toward (no “s”).

Towards: British English Preference

Meaning

“Towards” is preferred in British English and many other parts of the world (including Australia, Canada, and Singapore).
It carries the same meanings — direction, relation, and attitude — as toward.

Examples of “Towards” (10 total)

1. She walked towards the station.
2. The plan is a big step towards improvement.
3. His behavior towards his classmates is kind.
4. The project aims towards sustainability.
5. He moved towards the window to look outside.
6. The team is working towards better communication.
7. The company contributed towards disaster relief.
8. She ran towards the bus, waving her ticket.
9. Their efforts are directed towards peace.
10. The campaign shifted towards social awareness.

🧠 Tip:
If your audience uses British English, towards will feel more natural.

Quick Comparison Table

How to Remember the Difference

👉 Toward = American English
👉 Towards = British English

💡 Memory Trick:

America likes to keep things short — no “s” in toward!

In Everyday Use

Both are grammatically correct and universally understood.
You can use either form depending on who you’re writing for:

• Use toward for American publications, business writing, or formal U.S. audiences.
• Use towards for British, European, or international contexts.

That’s why tools like Humanizey can automatically adjust tone and spelling to match your audience — whether it’s American or British English.

FAQs

1. Is one more formal than the other?

No. Both are equally formal — it’s just a spelling difference.

2. Can I use “toward” in British writing?

Yes, it’s still correct, just less common.

3. What about “forward” vs. “forwards”?

The same rule applies! Forward (U.S.) vs. forwards (U.K.) — both correct.

4. Should I be consistent in one document?

Absolutely. Choose one version and stick with it for professionalism.

Practice: Choose the Correct Word (“Toward” or “Towards”)

(Answers are listed at the end.)

1. She walked ___ the beach at sunset.
2. The company is working ___ sustainability.
3. He ran ___ the train before it left.
4. Their kindness ___ animals is inspiring.
5. The project aims ___ reducing waste.
6. The children moved ___ the playground.
7. The government took steps ___ better healthcare.
8. The boat sailed ___ the harbor.
9. His attitude ___ his teachers has improved.
10. The donation went ___ building new classrooms.

Answers

1. toward / towards
2. toward / towards
3. toward / towards
4. toward / towards
5. toward / towards
6. toward / towards
7. toward / towards
8. toward / towards
9. toward / towards
10. toward / towards