toward/forward/backward or towards/forwards/backwards?

Mark Moore · Feb 13, 2012

I've usually heard people say only "forward" (never "forwards"), but I often hear both versions of the other two. Which are right? Are there rules that determine whether the s is added or not?

Becky Black · Feb 14, 2012

I think it might be another of those US v UK English things. I tend to add the S to the end of those and my editor takes it off.

Captcha · Feb 14, 2012

I agree with Becky, and so does CMOS. The 's' is more common in Commonwealth English.

And my editors agree with Becky's and take my 's' off if I forget.

Buffysquirrel · Feb 14, 2012

Yep, as a Brit I use backwards, forwards, towards, always. When editing US English I don't add the s.

Terie · Feb 14, 2012

To confirm, the 's' versions are typical British English usage, while the 'sans-s' versions are typical American English usage.

If you're an American writer targeting American publishers, you're probably best using the 'sans-s' versions. Vice versa if you're a British writer targeting a British audience.

The main thing is to be consistent so that a publisher can easily make global changes if they need to to match their house style.

scarletpeaches · Feb 14, 2012

Terie said:
If you're an American writer targeting American publishers, you're probably best using the 'sans-s' versions. Vice versa if you're a British writer targeting a British audience.

There's rarely, if ever, any need to try to write in anything other than your natural form of English. I have English, Canadian and U.S. publishers and never alter my spelling or style. I submit in British English, and let my editors do with my books as they will.

Mark Moore · Feb 14, 2012

Terie said:
To confirm, the 's' versions are typical British English usage, while the 'sans-s' versions are typical American English usage.

Thanks. I never knew that.

Mark Moore · Feb 14, 2012

scarletpeaches said:
There's rarely, if ever, any need to try to write in anything other than your natural form of English.

Hehe, the thing is I didn't know which usage was my natural (American) form of English. I didn't even know the s is for British English.

Buffysquirrel · Feb 14, 2012

It isn't exclusively with s in English as the Brits speak and write it. I just noticed that in my WIP I wrote 'I stepped forward'. That reads more naturally to me than 'I stepped forwards'. Who knows, others may disagree.

toward/forward/backward or towards/forwards/backwards?

Mark Moore

Becky Black

Writing my way off the B Ark

Captcha

Buffysquirrel

Terie

Writer is as Writer does

scarletpeaches

Mark Moore

Mark Moore

Buffysquirrel