an outwards force

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an outwards force" is not correct in standard English; it should be "an outward force." You can use it when describing a force that acts away from a center or point of reference, typically in physics or engineering contexts.
Example: "The rocket experienced an outward force as it launched into space."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

We hypothesize the fluctuations of UNC-40 activity cause fluctuating sites of axon outgrowth and thus a succession of imbalanced outwards force across the surface of the neuron.

Biology Open

For example, a 4 meter square truss with I = 250 kiloamp has an outwards radial force of 220 kg per meter of cable.

Acta Astronautica

In terms of physics, you must overcome gravity with your force pushing upwards while your outwards force will be met with the opposing force of your hands.

WikiHow

Learn what kind of lifestyle he came from, and the outwards forces that influenced his music.

WikiHow

The bottoms of S and L with an outwards curve.

WikiHow

Work out the wrinkles starting from the center and going in an outwards direction.

WikiHow

and 5250 kg outwards longitudinal force at the ends of each SC loop.

Acta Astronautica

The ends of each SC loop experience outwards longitudinal forces.

Acta Astronautica

Myosin VI is crucial for border cell migration and since it exists in a complex with the adhesion proteins E-cadherin and β-catenin it could by binding to stationary adhesion complexes in the membrane develop a protrusive force by pushing the actin filaments outwards thus moving the cell forwards [65].

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

The discovery was baffling: after the initial Big Bang had propelled matter outwards, the attractive force of gravity should gradually have braked the universe's sprawl.

The Economist

Basically, sets of magnets arranged to point their force outwards.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing forces acting away from a center, use the grammatically correct phrase "an outward force". Consider specifying the type of outward force, such as "centrifugal force" or "radial force", for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "outwards" as an adjective. "Outwards" is an adverb of direction. The correct adjectival form is "outward", as in "an outward force" or "outward movement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an outwards force" functions as a descriptive term, attempting to specify the direction of a force. However, it's grammatically incorrect, as pointed out by Ludwig AI. It aims to describe a force acting away from a central point.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an outwards force" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "an outward force". As Ludwig AI confirms, "outwards" is an adverb, while "outward" serves as the correct adjective in this context. Although the phrase appears across various domains, including science, news, and wiki sources, its incorrect grammar detracts from its effectiveness. Therefore, it's best to use the corrected phrase "an outward force" or consider more precise terms like "centrifugal force" or "radial force" depending on the specific situation to enhance clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an outward force

Corrected grammatical form of the original phrase.

a centrifugal force

Specific type of outward force arising from rotational motion.

an expansive force

Emphasizes the expansion or spreading nature of the force.

a radial force

Describes a force acting along a radius, typically outwards.

a propulsive force

Highlights the action of driving or pushing something outwards.

an expulsive force

Focuses on the act of driving something out or away.

a diverging force

Implies a force that causes things to spread apart.

an eruptive force

Suggests a sudden and forceful outward burst.

an ejection force

Highlights the force that causes something to be ejected.

an external force

General term for a force originating from outside a system, which can sometimes be outwards.

FAQs

Which is correct, "an outwards force" or "an outward force"?

"An outwards force" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "an outward force", where "outward" is used as an adjective.

What does "an outward force" mean?

"An outward force" refers to a force that is directed away from a center or point of reference. It describes the direction in which the force is acting, pushing something away from that point.

What are some examples of "an outward force"?

Examples of outward forces include the centrifugal force experienced during rotation, the force of an explosion expanding outwards, or the pressure exerted by a gas pushing outwards on its container.

What can I say instead of "an outwards force"?

Since "an outwards force" is incorrect, use "an outward force". Depending on the context, you might also use "a centrifugal force" or "a radial force".