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Usenet Posted 20 years ago
Usage
Toward vs. towards / outward vs. outwards
This carved bone statuette represents a spider, its eight legs clenched tightly around a smooth orb. The legs splay outward from the bulbous body and wrap around the orb, as if to forestall slipping. The tiny head bears two parallel lines of eyes and a prominent pair of triangular fangs.
Is "outward" in the 2nd sentence correct, or should it be "outwards"?
Similarly, are there any simple guidelines for using 'toward' instead of 'towards' and vice versa?
I currently use 'towards' when referring to a direction (like: towards the east) and 'toward' when referring to something else (like: toward the bank of the stream), but I have no good reason for doing this other than the fact that it sounds good to me.
Thanks in advance for any pointers.
Is "outward" in the 2nd sentence correct, or should it be "outwards"?
Similarly, are there any simple guidelines for using 'toward' instead of 'towards' and vice versa?
I currently use 'towards' when referring to a direction (like: towards the east) and 'toward' when referring to something else (like: toward the bank of the stream), but I have no good reason for doing this other than the fact that it sounds good to me.
Thanks in advance for any pointers.
Top answer
[nq:1] This carved bone statuette represents a spider, its eight legs clenched tightly around a smooth orb. The legs splay ... [/nq] "Toward" is more common in American English.
- [nq:1] This carved bone statuette represents a spider, its eight legs clenched tightly around a smooth orb.
- The legs splay ...
- [/nq] "Toward" is more common in American English.
- In British English it is normal to say "towards".
- I think the same applies to "outward"/"outwards".
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4 Answers
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[nq:1] This carved bone statuette represents a spider, its eight legs clenched tightly around a smooth orb. The legs splay ... I have no good reason for doing this other than the fact that it sounds good to me.[/nq]
"Toward" is more common in American English. In British English it is normal to say "towards". I think the same applies to "outward"/"outwards". If you are writing for an American
"Toward" is more common in American English. In British English it is normal to say "towards". I think the same applies to "outward"/"outwards". If you are writing for an American
00
[nq:2] This carved bone statuette represents a spider, its eight ... the fact that it sounds good to me.[/nq]
[nq:1]"Toward" is more common in American English. In British English it is normal to say "towards". I think the same applies to "outward"/"outwards". If you are writing for an American audience, use "outward" but for a British audience use "outwards".[/nq]
Sorry. I disagree.
P
[nq:1]"Toward" is more common in American English. In British English it is normal to say "towards". I think the same applies to "outward"/"outwards". If you are writing for an American audience, use "outward" but for a British audience use "outwards".[/nq]
Sorry. I disagree.
P
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[nq:2]"Toward" is more common in American English. In British English ... audience, use "outward" but for a British audience use "outwards".[/nq]
"Toward" is the opposite of "untoward" and is therefore untoward in the intended context.
Svatopluk
"Toward" is the opposite of "untoward" and is therefore untoward in the intended context.
Svatopluk
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[nq:2]"Toward" is more common in American English. In British English ... audience, use "outward" but for a British audience use "outwards".[/nq]
[nq:1]Sorry. I disagree. Pat[/nq]
I was about to agree with Pat but, checking several references, it appears that rogertidy is probably right. While all references indicate that "toward" and "towards" are variants, the references that do make an
[nq:1]Sorry. I disagree. Pat[/nq]
I was about to agree with Pat but, checking several references, it appears that rogertidy is probably right. While all references indicate that "toward" and "towards" are variants, the references that do make an
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