Toward or Towards: What’s the Difference? (2026)

I still remember the first time I paused while writing an email and thought, “Wait… should I write toward or towards here?”
It felt silly, honestly. The sentence was simple, but that one extra “s” made me doubt myself.

If you’ve ever stopped mid-sentence wondering the same thing, trust me—you’re not alone.

I’ve seen students, professionals, and even native English speakers hesitate over toward or towards. And the confusing part? Both are correct, yet not always used the same way.

So let me walk you through this calmly. I’ll explain it the way I wish someone had explained it to me—clear, practical, and with real examples you can actually use.

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Toward or Towards Meaning

At their core, toward and towards have the same meaning.

Both mean:

• in the direction of
• moving closer to
• in relation to

Simple definition:

• She walked toward(s) the door.

There is no difference in meaning, intention, or grammatical function. The only real difference lies in usage preference, especially between American and British English.

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Toward or Towards UK Usage

This is where the difference becomes visible.

British English:

• Towards is more commonly used
• Toward is still correct, but less frequent

American English:

• Toward is strongly preferred
• Towards is understood but sounds less natural

Comparison:

• 🇺🇸 American: She moved toward the car.
• 🇬🇧 British: She moved towards the car.

👉 Rule to remember:
If you’re writing for a UK audience, choose towards.
If you’re writing for a US audience, choose toward.

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Toward or Towards Pronunciation

Good news—this part is easy.

✔ Both are pronounced the same way

• /təˈwɔːrd/ or /tɔːrd/

The “s” in towards is not strongly pronounced. In fast speech, both words sound nearly identical.

So pronunciation will never help you decide which one to use—you choose based on style and region, not sound.

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Toward or Towards Sentences

Here are clear, everyday sentences using both forms correctly:

• I walked toward the exit when the alarm rang.
• She leaned towards her friend to whisper.
• His attitude toward(s) learning changed completely.
• The dog ran toward its owner.
• The crowd moved towards the stage.

Notice something important?
👉 You can replace one with the other without changing the meaning.

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Toward or Towards Me

Both expressions are grammatically correct.

Examples:

• He stepped toward me slowly.
• She ran towards me crying.

Again, the choice depends on:

• Audience
• Consistency
• Writing style

Just make sure you don’t mix styles in the same document.

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Toward or Towards Plural

This is a common confusion, so let’s clear it up:

❌ Toward / towards do NOT have plural forms

They are prepositions, and prepositions never change based on number.

Correct:

• Toward the goals
• Towards many opportunities

Incorrect:

• Towardses ❌
• Towardss ❌

If someone talks about “plural of toward,” that’s a misunderstanding.

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Toward or Towards Oxford Dictionary Explanation

According to Oxford English Dictionary:

• Toward and towards are listed as variant forms
• Both mean “in the direction of”
• Regional preference is clearly noted:
  • Towards → British English
  • Toward → American English

Oxford confirms there is no grammatical superiority—only stylistic preference.

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Toward or Towards — Grammar Rules

This section combines grammar-related queries into one strong explanation.

Grammar Facts:

• Both are prepositions
• Both function identically in a sentence
• Both can be used with:
  • Verbs of movement
  • Abstract nouns
  • Emotional or relational expressions

Common verb pairings:

• Move toward(s)
• Lean toward(s)
• Head toward(s)
• Work toward(s)

Example:

• She is working toward(s) her goals.

✔ Grammar stays correct in all cases.

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Toward vs Towards in Formal Writing

In formal or academic writing, consistency matters more than choice.

Best practices:

• Choose one form
• Stick to it throughout the document
• Follow your style guide:
  • APA → Toward (US)
  • Oxford / Cambridge → Towards (UK)

Mixing both in the same article can hurt readability and professionalism.

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Common Mistakes With Toward or Towards

Let me save you from the mistakes I’ve seen again and again:

❌ Using both forms randomly
❌ Thinking one is incorrect
❌ Treating “towards” as plural
❌ Overthinking the meaning difference

Correct mindset:

Both are right. Choose one. Stay consistent.

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Toward or Towards — Quick Comparison Table

Aspect	Toward	Towards
Meaning	Same	Same
Grammar	Preposition	Preposition
American English	Preferred	Less common
British English	Acceptable	Preferred
Pronunciation	Same	Same

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FAQs

Can I use toward or towards before verbs?

Yes. Both words can be used before verbs when showing direction or intention.

Examples:

• She moved toward helping others.
• He worked towards improving his skills.

Is “towards me” grammatically correct?

Yes, towards me is completely correct in British English.
In American English, toward me is more common.

Both are grammatically acceptable.

Do toward and towards change meaning in figurative use?

No. Even in figurative meanings (effort, attitude, progress), both forms keep the same meaning.

Example:

• Her attitude toward success changed.
• His behavior towards his team improved.

Is one form more modern or updated than the other?

No. Both forms are current and actively used in modern English.
The choice depends on regional preference, not age or trend.

Can toward or towards be used in academic writing?

Yes. Both are acceptable in academic and professional writing, as long as you:

• follow the required style guide
• stay consistent throughout the document

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Conclusion

Let me make this simple — the confusion between toward or towards is more about location than language rules.

Both words mean the same thing. There is no hidden grammar rule, no tense change, and no difference in meaning. The only real factor is who you are writing for.

If your audience is American, toward will sound natural.
If your audience is British or international, towards may feel more familiar.

Once you understand this, you stop second-guessing yourself — and your writing becomes smoother, clearer, and more confident. Pick one, stay consistent, and move forward without hesitation.