Are you confused about when to use “forward” and when to use “towards”? It’s a common dilemma, but fear not, we’re here to help you out. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two words and when to use them correctly.
We should establish that both “forward” and “towards” are correct words in the English language. However, they are not interchangeable in every context. “Forward” generally means moving ahead or making progress, while “towards” refers to a direction or goal.
When we say “forward,” we mean moving in a positive direction, making progress, and advancing towards a goal. For example, “We need to move forward with our plans to expand the business.” In this context, “forward” implies that progress is being made and that the business is moving in a positive direction.
“Towards,” on the other hand, refers to a specific direction or goal. It implies movement in a particular direction. For example, “I am walking towards the park.” In this context, “towards” indicates the direction in which the person is walking.
Now that we’ve established the differences between these two words, let’s dive deeper into when to use them in specific contexts.
Define Forward
Forward is a term that refers to the direction of movement or progress. It is used to describe the act of moving in a straight line towards a particular destination or goal. The term forward is often associated with the idea of making progress or moving ahead in a positive direction.
Forward can also be used as an adjective to describe something that is situated in front of something else. For example, in sports, the term forward is used to describe players who are positioned in the front of the team’s formation.
Define Towards
Towards is a preposition that is used to indicate the direction of movement or the location of something in relation to something else. It is often used to describe a movement that is directed to a particular destination or goal.
Towards is also used to indicate a relationship or connection between two things. For example, the phrase “attitude towards work” refers to a person’s feelings or beliefs about their job or career.
It is important to note that towards is often used interchangeably with the word “to” in many contexts. However, towards is considered to be more formal and is commonly used in academic or professional writing.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Choosing the right word to use in a sentence can be tricky, especially when two words seem to have similar meanings. In this section, we will discuss the proper usage of the words “forward” and “towards.”
How To Use “Forward” In A Sentence
The word “forward” is an adverb that indicates movement in a direction ahead or towards a goal. Below are some examples of how to use “forward” in a sentence:
- She took a step forward to get a better view of the stage.
- The company is moving forward with its plans to expand overseas.
- I am looking forward to meeting you in person.
It’s important to note that “forward” can also be used as an adjective to describe something that is progressive or innovative. For example:
- The company has a forward-thinking approach to sustainability.
- His forward ideas were ahead of their time.
How To Use “Towards” In A Sentence
The word “towards” is a preposition that indicates direction or movement in the direction of something. Below are some examples of how to use “towards” in a sentence:
- She walked towards the park to meet her friends.
- The company is working towards reducing its carbon footprint.
- He made a step towards resolving the conflict.
It’s important to note that “towards” is the preferred spelling in British English, while “toward” is more commonly used in American English.
Overall, it’s important to choose the right word to use in a sentence to ensure clarity and accuracy. By understanding the proper usage of “forward” and “towards,” you can improve your writing and communication skills.
More Examples Of Forward & Towards Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the difference between “forward” and “towards,” it’s helpful to see these words used in context. Below are examples of how each word can be used in a sentence.
Examples Of Using Forward In A Sentence
- He took a step forward to get a better view of the stage.
- The company is moving forward with its expansion plans.
- Please send the email forward to the rest of the team.
- I’m looking forward to our vacation next month.
- The athlete made a forward pass to his teammate.
- She leaned forward to whisper something in his ear.
- The project is moving forward on schedule.
- He stepped forward to accept the award.
- We need to look forward, not backward.
- The car lurched forward when he hit the gas pedal.
Examples Of Using Towards In A Sentence
- The dog ran towards the park.
- We are working towards a common goal.
- She took a step towards the door.
- He made progress towards becoming a better listener.
- The company is moving towards a more sustainable business model.
- The team is working towards a championship title.
- She has a positive attitude towards her work.
- We need to take steps towards reducing our carbon footprint.
- The arrow was pointing towards the north.
- He made a gesture towards the waiter to bring the check.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using the words “forward” and “towards,” many people tend to interchange them. However, this can lead to grammatical errors and confusion in meaning. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
1. Using “Forward” Instead Of “Towards”
One common mistake is using “forward” instead of “towards” when indicating direction. For example, saying “I’m walking forward the park” is incorrect. The correct sentence should be “I’m walking towards the park.” This is because “towards” is the appropriate preposition to use when indicating movement in a particular direction.
2. Using “Towards” Instead Of “Forward”
Another mistake is using “towards” instead of “forward” when indicating progress or advancement. For example, saying “Our company is moving towards growth” is incorrect. The correct sentence should be “Our company is moving forward with growth.” This is because “forward” is the appropriate adverb to use when indicating progress or advancement.
3. Using Both Interchangeably
Some people use “forward” and “towards” interchangeably, which can lead to confusion in meaning. For example, saying “I’m looking forward to seeing you towards the end of the week” is incorrect. The correct sentence should be “I’m looking forward to seeing you at the end of the week” or “I’m looking towards seeing you at the end of the week” depending on the intended meaning.
To avoid making these mistakes in the future, here are some tips:
- Pay attention to the context in which the words are being used
- Remember that “towards” indicates direction, while “forward” indicates progress or advancement
- Read and listen to English language materials to become more familiar with proper usage
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between the words “forward” and “towards,” the context in which they are used can greatly affect which one is more appropriate. While both words convey the idea of movement in a particular direction, there are subtle differences in their meanings that can impact the message being conveyed.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “forward” and “towards” might change:
| Context | Example Sentence | Preferred Word Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Movement | He took a step __ the door. | forward |
| Figurative Movement | We need to move __ a new strategy. | towards |
| Time | The deadline is fast __. | approaching |
| Comparison | She is always looking __ to the future. | forward |
In the context of physical movement, “forward” is generally the preferred word choice, as it implies movement in a straight line towards a particular destination. However, in the context of figurative movement, such as moving towards a new strategy or goal, “towards” is often more appropriate, as it conveys a sense of progress or advancement.
When referring to time, neither “forward” nor “towards” is typically used. Instead, the word “approaching” is often used to indicate that a particular event or deadline is coming up soon.
Finally, in the context of comparison, “forward” is often used to indicate a positive outlook or a focus on the future, while “towards” is not typically used in this context.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using forward and towards are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind.
1. British English Vs American English
One important exception to consider is the difference between British English and American English. In British English, the use of “towards” is more common than “toward.” Conversely, in American English, “toward” is more commonly used than “towards.”
For example, in British English, one might say “I am walking towards the store,” while in American English, one might say “I am walking toward the store.”
2. Idiomatic Expressions
Another exception to the rules for using forward and towards is when they are used in idiomatic expressions. In these cases, the choice between forward and towards is not based on directional movement, but rather on the particular expression being used.
For example, the phrase “to look forward to” means to anticipate something with pleasure, and cannot be replaced with “to look towards to.” Similarly, the phrase “to move forward” means to make progress, and cannot be replaced with “to move towards.”
3. Specific Contexts
Finally, there may be specific contexts in which one word is more appropriate than the other, even if they are both technically correct. For example, in a military context, the term “forward” may be used to indicate an advance towards an enemy position, while “towards” may be used in a more general sense.
Similarly, in a sports context, the term “forward” may be used to refer to a specific position on a team, while “towards” may not be used in this way.
| Exception | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| British English vs American English | The use of “towards” is more common in British English, while “toward” is more common in American English | British English: “I am walking towards the store.” American English: “I am walking toward the store.” |
| Idiomatic Expressions | The choice between forward and towards is determined by the particular expression being used | “To look forward to” means to anticipate something with pleasure, and cannot be replaced with “to look towards to.” |
| Specific Contexts | There may be specific contexts in which one word is more appropriate than the other | In a military context, “forward” may be used to indicate an advance towards an enemy position. |
Practice Exercises
Improving your understanding and use of forward and towards can be a challenging task, but with practice, it can become second nature. Here are some practice exercises to help you master the use of these two words in sentences:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Fill in the blank with either forward or towards:
- He took a step ________ the door.
- She leaned ________ the window to get a better view.
- The team is moving ________ the playoffs.
- Please take a step ________ the podium.
- The company is moving ________ a more sustainable future.
Answer key:
- forward
- towards
- towards
- forward
- towards
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Select the correct word (forward or towards) to complete each sentence:
- The train is heading ________ the city center.
- Please take a step ________ the door.
- The business is moving ________ a more sustainable future.
- The team is moving ________ the championship.
- She is always looking ________ new opportunities.
Answer key:
- towards
- forward
- towards
- towards
- towards
Exercise 3: Sentence Completion
Complete each sentence with either forward or towards:
- He took a step ________ the finish line.
- The company is moving ________ a more sustainable future.
- Please take a step ________ the podium.
- The team is moving ________ the playoffs.
- She leaned ________ the window to get a better view.
Answer key:
- forward
- towards
- forward
- towards
- towards
Conclusion
After exploring the differences between “forward” and “towards,” it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and are not interchangeable.
The key takeaways from this article are:
- “Forward” indicates a direction or movement in a straight line, while “towards” suggests a movement in the direction of something.
- Using “forward” when “towards” is more appropriate can lead to confusion or ambiguity in communication.
- It is important to pay attention to the nuances of language and grammar in order to effectively convey meaning.
As with any aspect of language use, there is always more to learn and explore. Continuing to study grammar and language can improve communication and enhance one’s writing and speaking abilities.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.