Toward vs. Towards: Which One Should You Use?

Toward and towards mean the same thing. The only visible difference is the final “s”.

Both words are prepositions that mean “in the direction of.” The real distinction comes down to regional preference and writing consistency.

Toward vs. Towards

The Main Difference

Toward is more common in American English and Canadian English.
Towards is more common in British English and Australian English.

Both are grammatically correct. The key is consistency. Pick one form and use it throughout your writing.

Usage Examples

You can use either spelling in the same types of sentences:

All plants grow toward / towards the sunlight.
She walked toward / towards the door.
The company is moving toward / towards digital solutions.
He turned toward / towards me and smiled.
The plane circled back toward / towards the airport.

The meaning does not change with the spelling.

A Broader Pattern in English

This “with or without -s” variation appears in other direction-related words:

forward / forwards
backward / backwards
upward / upwards
afterward / afterwards

In general, American English prefers the version without “s”, while British English often keeps the “s”.

Final takeaway:

Toward = American preference.
Towards = British preference.

Same meaning. Same grammar. Just a regional spelling difference — and a reminder to stay consistent.

Last Updated on March 3, 2026

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Nhat Nhat

English Teacher | IELTS Instructor | English Learning Content Creator at ESLTeacher.org

Nhat Nhat is an English teacher and IELTS instructor specializing in grammar, academic writing, and English learning resources. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education from Hanoi National University of Education (HNUE), an IELTS 8.0 certificate, and TESOL / TEFL teaching certifications. With over 9 years of teaching experience, he creates practical lessons and educational content to help learners improve their English skills and exam performance.