Onward

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'onward' is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
It is an adverb that means continuing or moving forward. Example: The team pushed onward, determined to reach the finish line despite the rainy weather. In this sentence, 'onward' is used to show the team's determination to keep moving forward despite the challenges they faced. Other examples of using 'onward' include: - We need to press onward with our plans, even if it means working overtime. - The journey ahead may be tough, but we must move onward and never give up. - After the success of their first album, the band continued onward to produce more music. - The country is moving onward towards progress and development. - The knight rode onward, eager to complete his quest and save the princess.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What would be the unique value of personally carrying another copy of materials onward?

The Guardian

But the Death Penalty Information Center, a leading chronicler of capital punishment trends in the US, notes in its annual review published on Thursday that the year was also marked by the onward decline of the controversial practice.

The Guardian

This did precisely nothing for core Labour voters in towns across Britain which once had economic hearts, but which now are characterised by decay and the onward march of Ukip.

The Guardian

The cafe attracted outrage in some quarters due to the price of cereal in an area with pockets of deep disadvantage, the sibling owners' hipster beards and the onward march of gentrification.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the case of Ecuador, it's also been fuelled by fury at Correa's decision to give asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who faces sexual assault allegations in Sweden, over the threat of onward extradition to the US.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the Qataris remained, by some distance, the largest foreign sovereign wealth buyers of real estate in London last year, and most analysts expect that to mark merely a temporary pause in their onward march.

The Guardian

So, instead, I caught the boat from Interlaken to Iseltwald, and spent a glorious hour or so walking along the lake shore to the falls; after a coffee in the grand hotel opposite, a ride on Europe's oldest funicular deposited me down at Giessbach dock in time to catch the onward boat to Brienz.

The Guardian - Travel

After having her temperature taken seven times, she was cleared to take her onward journey home to Glasgow where she became unwell overnight.

The Guardian

America's digital revolution marches on.Mr Powell's critics would counter that much of this onward marching is taking place in spite of the FCC's best efforts to impede it.

The Economist

Less idealistic Japanese at least hoped for respect and international clout.As Japan's economy limps onward, however, the country keeps finding fresh ways to lose friends and stop influencing people.

The Economist

The foreign minister, Ricardo Patiño, last month described the Swedish accusations as "hilarious", claiming that they were a ruse to facilitate Mr Assange's onward extradition to the United States, where he might face the death penalty.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "onward" to convey a sense of continuous movement or progress, especially in contexts where forward momentum is emphasized. For example, "The project moved onward despite the initial setbacks."

Common error

Be careful not to use "onward" with verbs that already imply forward movement. For instance, instead of saying "continue onward", simply say "continue".

Linguistic Context

"Onward" functions primarily as an adverb, indicating movement or progression in a forward direction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to denote continuation or advancement. The examples show it modifying verbs of motion or describing ongoing processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "onward" signifies movement or progression in a forward direction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Grammatically correct and very common, it's used across diverse contexts, primarily in news, business, and scientific domains. While it maintains a neutral to formal tone, it's crucial to avoid redundancy by pairing it with verbs that already imply forward motion. Consider alternatives like "forwards" or "ahead" for nuanced expression and remember to be mindful of the context to ensure appropriate formality. Its usage patterns are quite balanced, and authoritative sources frequently employ it. Ludwig's examples show "onward" effectively conveys persistence and continuous development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Going forward

Explicitly states the intention to continue or progress from a current point.

Forwards

Focuses specifically on physical direction or progression in space.

Ahead

Emphasizes being in front or progressing towards a future point.

Forth

Implies a movement outwards or into view.

Progressively

Highlights gradual development or advancement.

Continuously

Stresses the uninterrupted nature of the movement or action.

Subsequently

Indicates a sequence of events or actions following one another.

In succession

Highlights the order of events or actions.

In due course

Suggests that something will happen at the appropriate time.

Down the line

Indicates progression into the future.

FAQs

How can I use "onward" in a sentence?

You can use "onward" to indicate forward movement or progression, such as in the sentence, "The team marched onward towards victory." It can also describe a continuing trend, like in "the "onward march" of technology".

What's a good alternative to "onward" when describing progress?

If you're describing progress, consider using phrases like "going forward", "progressing", or simply "continuing", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "onward"?

While grammatically correct, using "onward" might sound overly formal in some contexts. Consider whether a simpler word like "forward" or "ahead" would be more appropriate for a casual setting.

What is the difference between "onward" and "onwards"?

"Onward" and "onwards" are both adverbs meaning 'in a forward direction'. "Onward" is more common in American English, while "onwards" is more common in British English, though both are widely understood.