toward

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "toward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a physical direction ("She walked toward the door") or to indicate an attitude or approach ("He had a positive attitude toward the project"). Example sentence: She made her way toward the beach, eager to feel the sand beneath her feet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We are ready to cover the issues that really matter to the country as it moves toward the federal election in September".

The Guardian

Back in Barry, the series arc rumbles along toward a climax we still can't predict.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Track was "heavily intoxicated," and at first acted belligerently toward police, but Sarah Palin told him to talk to Officer Daily.

The Guardian

The route to accelerating Vermont toward genuine progress is uncharted.

The Guardian

When Rose hit a three-pointer shortly after to put Memphis up 57-49 with 4min 06sec remaining, I stood up, paced nervously toward the window and – for the first time all night – felt a genuine sense of relief.

The Guardian - Sport

So it comes as little surprise that a recent study released by the Arab American Institute found that American attitudes toward Muslims and Arabs are becoming more negative.

The Guardian - Opinion

A second video shows Abbas driving a bus toward a cliff by pursuing the UN bid.

The Guardian

"The magazine seems to be entirely sincere in its anarchic expressions of disdain toward organized religion.

The Guardian - Books

As a feminist who has devoted her entire adult life to campaigning against unspeakable atrocities toward women committed by violent men, I find the idea of Brown's "rebranding" as a "hard man" ready to "pummel David Cameron into defeat with his bare fist" deeply offensive.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Those are the goals the president will work all year toward achieving.

The Guardian

"Pakistan's government is tarnishing the country's well-deserved reputation for hospitality toward refugees by tolerating the punitive and potentially unlawful coercive repatriation of Afghan refugees," said HRW's deputy Asia director, Phelim Kine.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "toward" to express movement or orientation, reserving other prepositions for static locations.

Common error

While "towards" is a common variant, remember that "toward" is generally preferred in American English. Choose the form consistent with your intended audience.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "toward" is that of a preposition, indicating direction, orientation, or relation. Ludwig shows examples of its use in both physical and abstract senses. The phrase "toward" indicates a relationship between two elements in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "toward" serves as a preposition primarily used to indicate direction, relationship, or progress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. It is predominantly found in news and media sources. While "towards" is a valid variant, "toward" is favored in American English. To enhance clarity, ensure the context specifies the nature of the movement or orientation when using "toward" in your writing. Alternatives such as "in the direction of" or "regarding" can provide nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the direction of

This phrase explicitly specifies the direction being taken.

heading towards

Emphasizes movement and progression in a specific direction.

approaching

Focuses on the act of getting closer to something, either physically or metaphorically.

on the path to

Indicates progress toward achieving a specific goal or outcome.

in relation to

This alternative emphasizes the connection or attitude regarding something.

aimed at

Similar to 'intended for' but emphasizes the target or goal.

with respect to

Highlights consideration or regard for a subject.

intended for

Highlights the purpose or destination of something.

regarding

A simpler alternative indicating the subject matter.

as for

Introduces a new topic or aspect for consideration.

FAQs

How do I use "toward" in a sentence?

"Toward" can indicate direction, such as "She walked "toward the door"", or attitude, as in "He showed kindness "toward strangers"".

What's the difference between "toward" and "towards"?

Both words have the same meaning, but "toward" is more common in American English, while "towards" is more frequent in British English. The choice depends on your audience and writing style.

What can I say instead of "toward" to indicate direction?

You can use alternatives like "in the direction of", "towards", or "in the vicinity of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "moving toward a solution"?

Yes, "moving "moving toward a solution"" is a correct and common usage, indicating progress or advancement in resolving a problem.