Many English learners stop when they see toward and towards. They look almost exactly the same, so it is natural to wonder: Which one is correct? Is one American English? Is the other British English? Do they have different meanings?
The good news is that this is much easier than it first appears. Toward and towards usually have the same meaning and can often be used in the same sentence.
The main difference is regional preference. Cambridge lists toward as mainly US and towards as mainly UK, while also showing that both forms are used.
Both words are commonly used when we talk about movement, direction, time, attitudes, goals, and progress.
For example, you can say, “She walked toward the door” or “She walked towards the door.” The basic meaning does not change.
This small difference matters because English learners often think the extra -s changes the grammar. It usually does not.
By the end of this guide, you will know exactly when to use toward, when to use towards, whether one is more correct, how American and British English differ, and how to avoid common mistakes. You will also see simple examples from everyday conversations.
What Does “Toward” Mean?
Toward is a preposition that usually means in the direction of someone or something. It can also describe movement closer to a goal, a point in time, an attitude, or something you are trying to achieve.
For example:
The child ran toward his mother.
Here, toward shows the direction of the child’s movement. The child is moving in the direction of his mother.
Oxford lists several uses of toward, including direction, getting closer to a goal, a point in time, a relationship or attitude, and helping to pay for or achieve something.
When should you use “toward”?
You can use toward when you want to show a direction or movement.
We walked toward the station.
You can also use it when talking about progress.
She is working toward her dream.
It can describe time:
We arrived toward the end of the meeting.
It can describe someone’s feelings or attitude:
He has always been kind toward animals.
And it can describe money or effort that helps achieve something:
We saved money toward a new car.
So, toward is not limited to physical movement. It has several useful meanings.
Grammar rule for “toward”
Toward is normally followed by a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase.
The basic structure is:
subject + verb + toward + noun/pronoun
For example:
She walked toward me.
The dog ran toward the gate.
He turned toward his friend.
You can also use a gerund phrase after it when the meaning involves a goal or purpose:
They are working toward improving the system.
Examples with “toward”
- The boy ran toward the bus.
He moved in the direction of the bus. - She walked toward the door.
Her movement was in the direction of the door. - The dog came toward me.
The dog moved closer to me. - We are moving toward a better solution.
The idea is progress toward a goal. - He is working toward a promotion.
His work is helping him reach a desired result. - The weather became colder toward evening.
This means closer to evening. - She is very friendly toward children.
This describes her attitude toward children. - I put some money toward my college fees.
The money helps pay for the fees.
A common confusion about “toward”
Some learners think toward means the person or thing must actually reach the destination.
That is not always true.
He walked toward the station.
This only tells us the direction of his movement. It does not tell us whether he reached the station.
Compare:
He walked to the station.
This usually presents the station as his destination.
But:
He walked toward the station.
focuses more on the direction.
That small difference can be useful in real English.
What Does “Towards” Mean?
Towards is also a preposition. It has the same basic meanings as toward.
It can mean in the direction of, closer to, in relation to, or for the purpose of reaching or paying for something.
Cambridge describes towards as mainly British English and toward as mainly American English. It also states that both forms can be used.
So, if someone says:
She walked towards the door.
and another person says:
She walked toward the door.
Both sentences are correct.
When should you use “towards”?
Use towards in the same situations where you could use toward.
For example, it can show physical direction:
The children ran towards the playground.
It can show progress:
We are moving towards our goal.
It can show time:
Towards the end of the day, I became tired.
It can describe an attitude:
She has a positive attitude towards learning.
It can also describe money or effort:
He contributed money towards the project.
Cambridge gives examples of towards for movement and purpose, including contributing money toward something and work counting toward a final grade.
Grammar rule for “towards”
The grammar pattern is basically the same as toward:
subject + verb + towards + noun/pronoun
For example:
He walked towards me.
The car moved towards the bridge.
She turned towards her teacher.
The extra s does not create a different grammar rule.
Examples with “towards”
- The girl ran towards her father.
She moved in his direction. - We are driving towards the city.
The city is the direction of travel. - He moved towards the window.
He moved closer to the window. - She is working towards her goal.
Her work is helping her reach the goal. - Prices usually rise towards the end of the year.
This means as the end of the year gets closer. - He is very polite towards his customers.
This describes his behavior toward them. - They are working towards a solution.
Their efforts are aimed at achieving a solution. - She gave some money towards the gift.
Her money helped pay for the gift.
A common confusion about “towards”
The biggest mistake is thinking that towards is more correct because it has an extra letter.
It is not.
The -s does not make the word plural, and towards is not a plural form of toward. It is simply another form of the same preposition.
Think of them as two versions of the same word.
Difference Between Toward and Towards
The most important point is simple:
There is usually no difference in meaning between toward and towards.
The main difference is regional preference.
Cambridge labels toward as mainly US and towards as mainly UK. Oxford’s American dictionary lists towards as an alternative form under toward.
Here is a quick comparison:
| Point | Toward | Towards |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meaning | In the direction of; closer to | In the direction of; closer to |
| Grammar | Preposition | Preposition |
| American English | Very common | Also possible |
| British English | Possible | Very common |
| Meaning | Usually the same | Usually the same |
| Physical direction | Yes | Yes |
| Progress toward a goal | Yes | Yes |
| Time | Yes | Yes |
| Attitude | Yes | Yes |
| Money or contribution | Yes | Yes |
| Correct English | Yes | Yes |
American English vs British English
If you are learning American English, you will often see:
She walked toward the store.
If you are learning British English, you will often see:
She walked towards the shop.
Both sentences are grammatically correct.
This is similar to other differences between varieties of English. English does not have only one fixed form used everywhere. Different countries and regions have their own common choices.
Cambridge’s dictionary entries make this regional preference especially clear: toward is marked mainly US, while towards is marked mainly UK.
Does the extra “s” change the meaning?
No.
Look at these pairs:
He walked toward me.
He walked towards me.
The meaning is essentially the same.
Another pair:
We are working toward a solution.
We are working towards a solution.
Again, the meaning is the same.
You should not try to create a special meaning for the s.
Sentence structure
Both words normally follow the same structures.
Movement:
subject + verb + toward/towards + place/person
She moved toward the door.
She moved towards the door.
Goal:
subject + verb + toward/towards + goal
He is working toward success.
He is working towards success.
Attitude:
subject + adjective/noun + toward/towards + person/thing
She is kind toward animals.
She is kind towards animals.
Time:
toward/towards + time expression
We left toward evening.
We left towards evening.
Meaning can depend on the context
Although the two words have the same basic function, the word after them tells us what kind of direction is meant.
Compare:
The boy ran toward the house.
This is physical direction.
She is working toward a promotion.
This is progress toward a goal.
Toward the end of the movie, everyone became quiet.
This is time.
He showed respect toward his teacher.
This is attitude or relationship.
So when you see toward or towards, do not automatically think only about walking or moving.
Grammar Rules You Must Remember
Rule #1: Toward and towards are both correct
Do not mark one as wrong simply because you prefer the other.
Correct: She walked toward the car.
Correct: She walked towards the car.
The choice usually depends on the variety of English you are using.
Rule #2: Use them to show direction
Both forms can show that someone or something is moving in a particular direction.
The cat ran toward the garden.
The cat ran towards the garden.
The important idea is direction, not necessarily arrival.
If you want to clearly show a final destination, to is often more direct:
We went to the airport.
But:
We moved toward the airport.
focuses on the direction of movement.
Rule #3: Use them for goals and progress
Toward and towards are also common when talking about something you are trying to achieve.
She is working toward a degree.
She is working towards a degree.
Both are correct.
This use appears in everyday English, education, business, and formal writing. The word can show that an action is helping someone get closer to a result.
Rule #4: Do not treat “towards” as a plural word
The s in towards does not work like the s in books or cars.
You cannot say that toward is singular and towards is plural.
They are two forms of the same preposition.
A useful way to remember this is:
toward = towards
in basic meaning.
The difference is mostly about English variety and personal or regional preference.
Common Mistakes Students Make
Learners often make mistakes here because they assume every spelling difference must have a meaning difference. That is not true in English.
Mistake 1: Thinking one form is incorrect
Wrong idea:
“Towards is wrong. I should always use toward.”
That is not correct.
Better understanding:
Both forms are standard English.
If you are writing for an American audience, toward may feel more natural. If you are writing for a British audience, towards may be the more natural choice.
Mistake 2: Thinking the “s” makes it plural
Some students think:
toward = one direction
towards = many directions
No.
The s has nothing to do with number.
She walked towards the door.
There is still only one direction in the sentence.
Mistake 3: Changing the word according to the noun
You do not choose toward or towards based on whether the noun is singular or plural.
He walked toward the houses.
He walked towards the houses.
Both are fine.
Likewise:
She moved toward her friends.
She moved towards her friends.
Both work.
Mistake 4: Believing that “toward” is only American
This is also too simple.
Toward is especially common in American English, but it is not grammatically forbidden in British English. Likewise, towards is strongly associated with British English but is also used in American English. Cambridge describes the varieties as mainly US and mainly UK rather than making them exclusive choices.
Mistake 5: Using “toward” when “to” is needed
Sometimes learners focus so much on this pair that they forget the difference between toward and to.
Compare:
I am going to the bank.
This presents the bank as the destination.
I am walking toward the bank.
This focuses on the direction.
The two words are not always interchangeable.
Easy correction tip
When you are unsure, ask yourself:
“Am I talking about direction or movement in the direction of something?”
If yes, toward or towards may work.
Then ask:
“Which type of English am I using?”
If your writing follows American English, toward is a very natural choice. If it follows British English, towards is often more natural.
Easy Trick to Remember the Difference
Here is the easiest trick:
Toward and towards are twins.
They have the same basic meaning. The main thing that changes is where and how people prefer to use them.
Think of two teachers saying the same thing:
“Walk toward the door.”
and
“Walk towards the door.”
The student gets exactly the same instruction.
The extra s does not send the student somewhere different.
A simple memory sentence
Remember:
Toward = US favorite
Towards = UK favorite
This is not an absolute rule, but it is a useful learning shortcut.
Cambridge identifies toward as mainly US and towards as mainly UK.
Think about your audience
If you are writing an American-style school assignment, you can comfortably use toward.
We are moving toward a better future.
If you are writing in British English, towards may feel more natural:
We are moving towards a better future.
The important thing is consistency.
You do not need to worry if you see the other version in a book, website, or conversation. It is not automatically a grammar mistake.
Daily Life Examples (Very Important)
The best way to learn these words is to see how people actually use them.
Example 1: Walking
Ali: Where are you going?
Hamza: I’m walking toward the market.
You could also say:
I’m walking towards the market.
Both are correct.
Example 2: Asking someone to move
Mother: Please move toward the window.
Child: Okay.
In British English, you may hear:
Please move towards the window.
Again, the meaning stays the same.
Example 3: Driving
We were driving toward Lahore when it started raining.
The sentence focuses on the direction of travel.
You could also say:
We were driving towards Lahore when it started raining.
Example 4: Getting closer to a goal
I am working toward my dream of becoming a teacher.
Or:
I am working towards my dream of becoming a teacher.
Here, there is no physical movement. The word describes progress toward a goal.
Example 5: Time
We usually get busy toward the end of the month.
You could say:
We usually get busy towards the end of the month.
Here, toward/towards means closer to a particular time.
Oxford includes this use when describing a point in time.
Example 6: Attitude
She has always been kind toward her students.
Or:
She has always been kind towards her students.
Here, the word describes an attitude or behavior toward another person.
Example 7: Saving money
I’m putting some money toward a new laptop.
A British English speaker may naturally say:
I’m putting some money towards a new laptop.
The idea is that the money helps pay for the laptop.
Example 8: School work
Your homework will count toward your final grade.
You may also see:
Your homework will count towards your final grade.
Both forms can be used for this meaning. Cambridge gives toward/towards in contexts involving work counting toward a final grade.
Example 9: A conversation about direction
Sara: Which way is the bus station?
Mina: Walk toward the main road and turn left.
The speaker is giving directions.
Example 10: A changing opinion
I’m starting to feel more positive toward the idea.
Or:
I’m starting to feel more positive towards the idea.
The word does not describe physical movement here. It describes an attitude or opinion.
Practice Section
Choose toward or towards in each sentence. Remember that, in most cases, both can be grammatically correct. For this exercise, think about which form sounds more natural in the variety of English you normally use.
1. She walked ______ the door.
a) toward
b) towards
2. We are working ______ a better future.
a) toward
b) towards
3. He became more friendly ______ his new classmates.
a) toward
b) towards
4. The weather became cooler ______ evening.
a) toward
b) towards
5. I put $20 ______ the cost of the gift.
a) toward
b) towards
Answers
1. toward / towards — Both are correct.
2. toward / towards — Both are correct.
3. toward / towards — Both are correct.
4. toward / towards — Both are correct.
5. toward / towards — Both are correct.
The real lesson is not to memorize one as right and the other as wrong. Instead, learn that they are alternative forms with the same basic meaning.
FAQs
What is the difference between toward and towards?
There is usually no difference in basic meaning. Both are prepositions that can show direction, progress, time, attitude, or purpose. The main difference is regional preference: toward is mainly associated with American English, while towards is mainly associated with British English.
Is toward American or British English?
Toward is especially common in American English. However, it is not limited to American English. British speakers can use it too. If you are following American English style, toward is often the more natural choice.
Is towards American or British English?
Towards is especially common in British English. It is also used in American English, so seeing towards in an American text does not automatically mean there is an error. Cambridge labels it mainly UK rather than exclusively UK.
Can I use toward and towards in the same sentence?
You can use either form depending on the sentence, but you normally would not need both for the same meaning. For example, “She walked toward the door” and “She walked towards the door” express the same basic idea. Choose the form that matches your preferred variety of English.
Is toward more formal than towards?
No. Neither word is simply the formal version of the other. The difference is mainly regional and stylistic preference. Both can appear in everyday speech, school writing, news writing, and formal writing.
Can toward and towards be used for goals?
Yes. Both can describe progress toward a goal or result.
We are working toward a solution.
We are working towards a solution.
Both are correct. This use is common in education, business, work, and everyday conversation.
Can I use toward and towards for time?
Yes. Both can refer to a time that is getting closer.
Toward the end of the day, I felt tired.
Towards the end of the day, I felt tired.
The meaning is essentially the same.
Does towards mean more than one direction?
No. The s does not mean plural. Towards is simply an alternative form of toward. It can refer to one person, one place, several people, or several places.
Which one should English learners use?
If you mainly study American English, toward is a good default. If you mainly study British English, towards is a good default. Most importantly, recognize both forms so you understand them when reading or listening.
Final Conclusion
The difference between toward and towards is much smaller than many learners expect.
In most situations, they have the same meaning and the same grammatical function. Both can show movement, direction, progress, time, attitude, and purpose.
The main point to remember is regional preference. Toward is mainly preferred in American English, while towards is mainly preferred in British English. Neither one is automatically more correct.
When you write, choose the form that matches the type of English you are learning. If you use American English, toward will often feel natural. If you use British English, towards may be your usual choice.
Most importantly, do not let the extra s confuse you. It does not change the basic meaning.
Try using both forms in your own sentences. Once you see them in real conversations, books, and everyday writing, the difference will quickly become easy to remember.
I am Benjamin Clark, an English language writer passionate about simplifying grammar, vocabulary, and word meanings. I create clear, accurate, and practical content to help learners improve their English skills with confidence every day.
