Toward or Towards: Which Is Correct?

Toward or towards which one is actually correct? That little -s at the end can make a simple sentence feel surprisingly uncertain. The good news is that both are correct. They have the same meaning, but toward is more common in American English, while towards is more common in British English.

Quick Answer:

Use toward or towards when you mean “in the direction of” or “in relation to.” Both forms can be used for movement, attitude, position, time, and progress. If you write primarily for a US audience, toward is the more common choice. For British English, towards is more typical.

Toward vs. Towards

Why Are Both Correct?

This isn’t a case of one spelling being right and the other being wrong. Toward and towards have been used alongside each other for centuries. Over time, American English came to favor the shorter form, while British English generally kept the -s ending.

So, if you see towards in American writing, there’s no need to treat it as a grammar error.

When Should You Use Each One?

The two forms work in the same kinds of sentences. You can use either when talking about:

• Direction: She walked toward(s) the door.
• Attitude: His feelings toward(s) the team changed.
• Position: The café is toward(s) the back of the building.
• Time: It happened toward(s) the end of the year.
• Progress: We are working toward(s) a solution.

For US English, toward is usually the natural default. If you’re writing in British English, towards will generally sound more familiar.

Common Mistake

Don’t assume that towards is wrong in American English. It is perfectly understandable and accepted. Likewise, toward is not incorrect in British English. The difference is mainly regional preference, not grammar.

Pronunciation

• Toward: /təˈwɔrd/
• Towards: /təˈwɔrdz/

The main difference is the final /s/ sound in towards.

Examples

1. The children ran toward the playground.
2. She walked towards the station.
3. His attitude toward his coworkers has improved.
4. We are working towards a better solution.
5. The hotel is toward the end of the street.
6. Sales usually rise towards the holiday season.

Memory Trick

Think US = toward and UK = towards. The extra -s is mainly a regional preference, not a grammar rule.

Mini Quiz

1. Which form is more common in American English?
2. Is towards wrong in US English?
3. Do both forms have the same basic meaning?
4. Which form is more common in British English?
5. Can both forms describe movement toward a place?

Answers: 1. Toward 2. No 3. Yes 4. Towards 5. Yes

FAQs

Is “toward” or “towards” correct?

Both are correct and generally interchangeable.

Is “toward” more American?

Yes. It is more common in American English.

Is “towards” British English?

Yes. British English generally prefers towards.

Can Americans use “towards”?

Yes. It is acceptable, although toward is the more common US choice.

Conclusion

Toward and towards are both correct. The difference is mostly regional: American English tends to favor toward, while British English more often uses towards. Both work in the same grammatical contexts, so you do not need to worry about choosing the “wrong” form. For US writing, toward is a natural default; otherwise, use whichever form fits your variety of English and keep it consistent.

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Bryan Garne

Bryan Garner an experienced English language writer specializing in grammar, usage, word choice, and clear American English. He focuses on making complex language rules simple, accurate, and practical.