forwards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forwards" is correct and usable in written English, although "forward" is more commonly used in American English.
You can use it when referring to a direction or movement towards the front or in the direction that one is facing. Example: "The team decided to move forwards with the project despite the challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The warning signs for the US were evident though, with orange-clad forwards afforded too much space on almost every attack.

The Guardian - Sport

"We know it's a challenge, we faced up to [Arturo] Vidal and [Alexis] Sanchez against Chile, so most countries have got some world-class forwards to contend with.

The Guardian - Sport

More than 100 people sit on plastic chairs facing forwards while latecomers lean against the back wall.

The Guardian

The Ahern government pumped billions of euros into cross-border projects while some of its backroom strategists talked about taking over the SDLP and advancing forwards as the main all-Ireland, 32-county party on this island.

The Guardian

In recent years, he's been backwards and forwards twice between Andrew Lansley's office and health-lobbying specialists MHP.

The Guardian

And moving forwards with things rolling by in your peripheral vision, that literal unspooling.

The Guardian

Niamh Briggs, the full-back who has been cursed with injury for much of the past year, is a dangerous runner and she landed a 40-metre penalty before the Ireland pack drove forwards from lineout and splintered the English defence, with the scrum-half Larissa Muldoon darting over on the blindside.

The Guardian - Sport

So this week, as parliament begins to settle in for the longer haul, the SNP must start to look forwards too.

The Guardian - Opinion

Previously, at their free-flowing best, Villa would hit teams on the counter using the pace of the wide forwards, but that isn't really the case any longer.

The Guardian - Sport

It was in the inside forwards that the differences of approach were most plain, Schürrle, Hazard and Oscar scoring four times in 59 minutes and playing at a thrilling tempo throughout.

The Guardian - Sport

Occasionally the visitors would seize on a mistake and spring forwards and Juventus were grateful to Leonardo Bonucci for a well-timed foul on the edge of his box that rescued them from further damage after Martín Cáceres had given the ball away midway through the second half, but otherwise the visitors rarely threatened.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, ensure that using "forwards" as a plural noun is appropriate for the context. Review your sentence to verify clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is using "forwards" as an adverb in American English, where "forward" is more common. While "forwards" is understood, using "forward" will make your writing sound more natural to American readers.

Linguistic Context

The word "forwards" functions primarily as an adverb indicating direction or movement toward the front or ahead. It can also function as a plural noun, referring to players in sports. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though "forward" is more common in American English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Sport

34%

Books

6%

Less common in

Lifestyle

4%

Opinion

4%

Tech

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "forwards" is a versatile term primarily used as an adverb indicating direction or as a plural noun. It's more common in British English than in American English, where "forward" is typically preferred as an adverb. Ludwig AI identifies its grammatical correctness, highlighting its widespread use in news, sports, and literature. When writing, remember to consider your audience and the context to determine whether "forwards" or "forward" is the more appropriate choice. Be mindful of idiomatic expressions like "look forward to", which never uses "forwards".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

onward

Indicates movement in a continuing direction, similar to "forwards".

ahead

Implies moving or progressing in front of or further than someone or something.

onwards

British English variant of "onward", suggesting continuous progression.

towards the front

Specifically indicates direction to the front.

in a progressive direction

Emphasizes the advancement or development aspect.

to advance

Implies moving something further or towards the future.

to make progress

Suggests forward movement in achieving a goal.

to push forward

Implies forceful movement ahead, often against resistance.

to drive forward

Similar to "push forward", but suggests greater force or momentum.

in the lead

Refers to being in a position ahead of others, particularly in a competitive context.

FAQs

What's the difference between "forward" and "forwards"?

"Forward" is generally used as an adverb or adjective in American English, while "forwards" is more common in British English as an adverb. Both can be the plural of the noun "forward", referring to players in sports. For example, in American English, you would say "move forward", but in British English, "move forwards" is also acceptable.

When should I use "forwards" instead of "forward"?

Use "forwards" primarily when writing in British English, especially as an adverb indicating direction. In American English, "forward" is generally preferred. As a noun, "forwards" is the plural of "forward", referring to players in certain sports.

What are some alternatives to using "move forwards"?

You can use alternatives like "advance", "proceed", or "progress" depending on the context. For example, instead of "move forwards with the plan", you could say "advance with the plan".

Is it correct to say "look forwards to"?

The correct phrase is "look forward to". "Forwards" is not used in this idiomatic expression. Looking "look forward to" something means to anticipate it with pleasure.