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**Erin** · 2002 May 29th, 06:48 PM

Quote:

But Erin, can you please tell me what is the difference between "toward" and "towards"?

Raghuveer.

Hello, guys! This is a question that so many people ask me. It's important to know because you might see a question with toward in it. This type of question therefore indirectly tests you on this knowledge.

There is no difference (at least in meaning). Same with all those other words that end in ward--forward, backward, upward, northward, etc.

The consensus among grammarians and people who love English is that using these words without the s is slightly more formal than using these words with the s.

You will notice in all ETS publications, these words appear without the s.

Again, the reason you should know this is that many people think that the word should be used with the s and that it's incorrect without the s. This confusion could cost you a point on the test!!

The bottom line: On the TOEFL both forms are acceptable.

raghuveer_v · 2002 May 31st, 06:00 AM

Thanks a lot Erin!

Raghuveer.

lanxuan · 2004 February 26th, 04:37 PM

Thank you so much Erin !!!

sanjana_1024 · 2005 April 6th, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Hello, guys! This is a question that so many people ask me. It's important to know because you might see a question with toward in it. This type of question therefore indirectly tests you on this knowledge.

There is no difference (at least in meaning). Same with all those other words that end in ward--forward, backward, upward, northward, etc.

The consensus among grammarians and people who love English is that using these words without the s is slightly more formal than using these words with the s.

You will notice in all ETS publications, these words appear without the s.

Again, the reason you should know this is that many people think that the word should be used with the s and that it's incorrect without the s. This confusion could cost you a point on the test!!

The bottom line: On the TOEFL both forms are acceptable.

phewww.. i most humbly and respectfully would have lost a point if had not read this old post...

i'm just gonna dig awayy

scheng75 · 2005 April 14th, 06:18 PM

Wow, 20+ years in the US and I never knew that BOTH are correct!

dreamz · 2005 May 14th, 04:31 AM

Thanks Erin! You are superb

imnotready · 2008 August 10th, 04:40 PM

Usage Note: Some critics have tried to discern a semantic distinction between toward and towards, but the difference is entirely dialectal. Toward is more common in American English; towards is the predominant form in British English.

taken from the American Heritage Dictionary

sunirs · 2008 December 24th, 12:06 PM

Thanks Erin
u r doing a great job

cambridgedove · 2009 February 2nd, 03:07 PM

There is no difference (at least in meaning). Same with all those other words that end in ward--forward, backward, upward, northward, etc.

The consensus among grammarians and people who love English is that using these words without the s is slightly more formal than using these words with the s.

You will notice in all ETS publications, these words appear without the s.

Again, the reason you should know this is that many people think that the word should be used with the s and that it's incorrect without the s. This confusion could cost you a point on the test!!

2005 April 14th, 06:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
scheng75 TestMagic fan! Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: CA Posts: 662	Re: GRAMMAR: Difference between "towards" and "toward" Wow, 20+ years in the US and I never knew that BOTH are correct! _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Vice President The Economics Fan Club Memberships are exclusive and subject to a deep appreciation of the finer points.

2005 May 14th, 04:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
dreamz Yups! Almost there. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: India Posts: 391	Re: GRAMMAR: Difference between "towards" and "toward" Thanks Erin! You are superb _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ When you lose, don't lose the lesson

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2002 May 31st, 06:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
raghuveer_v TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: May 2002 Location: India Posts: 952	Thanks a lot Erin! Raghuveer.

2004 February 26th, 04:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
lanxuan I JUST got here. Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Vietnam Posts: 7	Thank you so much Erin !!!

2008 August 10th, 04:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
imnotready I JUST got here. Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 15	Usage Note: Some critics have tried to discern a semantic distinction between toward and towards, but the difference is entirely dialectal. Toward is more common in American English; towards is the predominant form in British English. taken from the American Heritage Dictionary

2008 December 24th, 12:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
sunirs Within my grasp! Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 189	Thanks Erin u r doing a great job

2009 February 2nd, 03:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
cambridgedove Within my grasp! Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 148	There is no difference (at least in meaning). Same with all those other words that end in ward--forward, backward, upward, northward, etc. The consensus among grammarians and people who love English is that using these words without the s is slightly more formal than using these words with the s. You will notice in all ETS publications, these words appear without the s. Again, the reason you should know this is that many people think that the word should be used with the s and that it's incorrect without the s. This confusion could cost you a point on the test!!

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