it was forwards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was forwards" is not standard in written English; "forwards" is typically used as an adverb rather than an adjective.
You can use it in informal contexts to describe movement or direction, but it is more common to use "forward" in this case. Example: "During the race, it was forwards that the runners sprinted with all their might."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was forwards handling the ball, it was backs running hard and being physical and making tackles.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For U.C.L.A., it was forward JaRon Rush.

The New York Times - Sports

It was forwarded to him from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.

The New York Times

It was forward-looking then, and remains so.

The New Yorker

Last week it was forward passes, this week slow-motion replays.

The Guardian - Sport

It was forwarded to us, and we reprint it below.

TechCrunch

It was forward translated by the author, co-author, and a third academic.

BMC Geriatrics

Finally, it is forwarded to its destination, usually in Eastern Europe.

The New York Times - Sports

Biomechanically, it is forward motion's doppelgänger.

The New York Times

It is forward one hour, not back.

The New York Times

It's forward-thinking city planning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using "forward" as an adjective before a noun (e.g., a forward motion) or as an adverb to indicate direction (e.g., it moved forward). This aligns with standard English usage.

Common error

Avoid using "forwards" as an adjective, especially when describing a direction or position. Instead, use "forward" (e.g., 'It was a forward step' is preferable to 'It was a forwards step').

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was forwards" functions as a clause where "it" is a pronoun, "was" is a linking verb, and "forwards" is intended to act as an adverbial or adjectival modifier. Ludwig AI suggests this construction deviates from standard English grammar.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was forwards" is not a standard English construction. As Ludwig AI indicates, "forwards" is typically used as an adverb, not an adjective. Although occasional instances appear in varied sources such as news and media, a grammatically correct phrasing would use "forward" as an adjective before a noun (e.g., a forward motion) or as an adverb to indicate direction (e.g., it moved forward). Therefore, while you might encounter "it was forwards" it is advisable to rephrase for clarity and grammatical correctness in most contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it went forward

Simple directional movement, less specific.

it moved ahead

Focuses on surpassing a current position.

it stepped forward

Indicates a single action of advancement.

it advanced forward

Highlights making progress, slightly more emphatic.

it proceeded in front

Focuses on the act of going before something else.

it progressed onward

Emphasizes continuous movement ahead; more formal.

it shifted frontward

Indicates a change in position towards the front.

it continued onwards

Stresses uninterrupted continuation in direction.

it pushed forward

Suggests effort or overcoming resistance to advance.

it forged ahead

Implies determined and forceful progress.

FAQs

How can I use "forward" correctly in a sentence?

Use "forward" as an adverb to describe movement (e.g., "The team moved forward") or as an adjective before a noun (e.g., "a forward-thinking strategy").

Is it ever correct to use "forwards"?

"Forwards" is typically used as an adverb indicating direction or movement, similar to "onwards". For example, "The team looked forwards to the next game" is acceptable.

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

"Forward" generally indicates movement in a physical direction, while "onward" suggests continued progress or advancement. They are not always interchangeable.

Are there alternatives to using "it was forward"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it was advancing", "it was progressing", or "it was moving ahead".