Writing Tip 105: “Toward” vs. “Towards”

Grammatical dual-citizenI’m not one who can don a believable British accent, so maybe that’s why I always use “toward” and not “towards.” Don’t know what I’m talking about? This is another case of regional differences.

The choice of “toward” or “towards” is not a matter of right or wrong. Usually, it’s a matter of geography. Across the pond, “towards” is more commonas are related forms: “backwards,” “forwards,” “upwards,” “afterwards,” etc.

In the U.S., “toward” is more common—as are “backward,” “forward,” “upward,” “afterward,” etc.

I guess I’m conventional and follow the crowd on this one—my crowd being American. Either one you choose, though, make sure you’re consistent about it. If your writing waffles between the two, it’s jarring not only for your reader, but also for your national identity. There’s no such thing as a grammatical dual-citizen.

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