Toward vs. Towards

Some English writers feel uneasy with using the words toward and towards and are often unsure of how to use them in a sentence properly. It is understandable if you are also wondering whether these two terms have different meanings and functions or they are just variants of the same word.

          Amidst the confusion, toward and towards are actually the same in meaning and use. They are both prepositions that mean “in the direction of.” Below are examples of toward used in this manner.

“Avaya says bankruptcy is a step toward software and services”
PCWorld

“Toward a ‘smart’ patch that automatically delivers insulin when needed”
Science Daily

“Thanks to Trump, the Doomsday Clock Advances Toward Midnight”
New York Times

Here are examples of towards used in the same way.

“Towards a feminist United Nations: a six-point agenda for the new SG”
Open Democracy

“Free trade commitment would blaze a trail towards growth, says FCA boss”
Belfast Telegraph

“Early onset of winter triggers evolution towards smaller snow voles in Graubünden”
Science Daily

These terms may also be used as a preposition meaning “as regards” or “in relation to.” Below are examples of toward used in this manner.

“Trump’s attitudes toward the EU and NATO could lead to ‘unprecedented changes in US foreign policy'”
Business Insider

“Likud minister: Trump could edge Palestinians toward peace”
Times of Israel

“Path of patience toward North Korea”
Christian Science Monitor

Here are examples of towards used in the same manner.

“Donald Trump must look into policy of US towards Afghanistan & Pakistan”
Economic Times

“Rethinking Our Attitude Towards ‘Problem Children’”
Forward

“Employers ‘must change attitudes towards dress code discrimination’”
CIPD

          While the two words are interchangeable, you may have to consider the audience when using toward and towards in your writing. American and Canadian English speakers generally prefer toward while British and  Australian speakers like towards better.