This entry is one in a series that tackles issues of proper word use and grammar in English.
Continuing in the vein of my wildly popular blog entries ““Complementary” vs. “Complimentary”” and ““It’s” vs. “Its”,” I thought I would tackle an easy one today: “toward” vs. “towards.”
In brief, use them interchangeably. If you are from the US, you probably say “toward,” while if you are from the UK you probably say “towards.” If you are from anywhere else, you get to choose.
That was easy.
Forward/Forwards and Backward/Backwards are similar, but there are some cases where you can’t swap one of the pair for the other. Can you think of any?
Also see: Series list: Proper word use and grammar in English
Assuming you meant “Forward/forwards”, then one case where you can’t interchange them is when they are used as a verb in the plural. “Sally always forwards the most amusing emails.”
Yes, I meant “forwards,” and I fixed that. Thanks.
What about “local.” We have a radio station around here and there is a public service message where the guy says, “Please shop local. It is the lifeblood of our community.” Just doesn’t sound right to me. I keep wanting the say, “Please shop locally.” What do you think?
One obvious case of non-interchangeability: beside/besides.