to and towards
i want to know about to and towards. i usually mix them. what is the differences between to and towards.
for example " he moved to the door " or " he moved towards the door " Which one is correct or is there any meaning problem ?
Top answer
Merriam-Webster on 'toward/towards': Function: preposition 1 : in the direction of <driving toward town> 2 a : along a course leading to <a long stride toward disarmament> b : in relation to <an attitude toward life> 3 a : at a point in the direction of : NEAR <a cottage somewhere up toward the lake> b : in such a position as to be in the direction of <your back was toward me> 4 : not long before < toward the end of the afternoon> 5 a : in the way of help or assistance in <did all he could toward raising campaign funds> b : for the partial payment of <proceeds go toward the establishment of a scholarship> You wouldn't use 'to' in the five circumstances here. 'Moved to the door' suggests that he is at the door now. '.
- Merriam-Webster on 'toward/towards': Function: preposition 1 : in the direction of <driving toward town> 2 a : along a course leading to <a long stride toward disarmament> b : in relation to <an attitude toward life> 3 a : at a point in the direction of : NEAR <a cottage somewhere up toward the lake> b : in such a position as to be in the direction of <your back was toward me> 4 : not long before < toward the end of the afternoon> 5 a : in the way of help or assistance in <did all he could toward raising campaign funds> b : for the partial payment of <proceeds go toward the establishment of a scholarship> You wouldn't use 'to' in the five circumstances here.
- 'Moved to the door' suggests that he is at the door now.
- '.
- They are both grammatically meaningful.
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Function: preposition
1 : in the direction of <driving toward town>
2 a : along a course leading to <a long stride toward disarmament> b : in relation to <an attitude toward life>
3 a : at a point in the directi
0Can your rephrase the sentence to "He is moving to the door" Does it have the same meaning as "He moved towards the door"
Thanks in advance
0Now, it gets more subtle. But I submit the meanings can still be differentiated. Context, though, can either sharpen or blur any inherent distinction.
'He is moving to the door': is more explicit about the intended endpoint, at
0To is used when at the end of the action you are already at that place. But when towards is used, after the action, you are closer towards and maybe at that point.. Towards is only a direction!
He moved to the door (He is already at the door)
He moved towards the door (He is now closer to the door)
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