towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "towards" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to indicate a directional movement or progress. Example sentence: She is walking towards the store.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Opinion

Lifestyle

Sport

Books

Tech

Money

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But there seems to be growing irritation towards how international obligations operate.

The Guardian

A pricing dispute prompted the country to reorient its exports towards China, aided by the opening of a pipeline connecting the two countries in 2009.

The Guardian

It was also reported that Darling "flipped" the location of his second home four times in four years, allowing him to claim thousands of pounds towards the cost of his Edinburgh home and a London flat.

The Guardian

The situation in Northern Ireland, overshadowed by the attacks in the US, is heading towards uncharted territory.

The Guardian

Her government's tacit support for Saddam Hussein's war against Iran led to successive Gulf wars and John Major's studied neutrality in Bosnia – which later pushed Tony Blair in the opposite direction, towards costly interventionism that overstretched MoD resources.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bobo's men began to take down the tents as he led us towards the water and onwards.

The Guardian - Travel

7 February: Britain and the US recall their ambassadors to Damascus in protest at the Assad regime's "murderous" behaviour towards its own civilians.

The Guardian

Lady Warsi, who resigned from the government in August over Gaza, delivered a blistering critique last month of the approach towards Britain's Muslims, warning that failure to engage properly with communities across the UK has created a climate of suspicion and undermined the fight against extremism.

The Guardian

Stretching towards Peru and Bolivia, it lays claim to being the driest desert in the world, with only 0.01mm of rain falling in an average year.

The Guardian - Travel

He should have added, for any voters distracted by the recent Lynton Crosby-led mind games, that a coalition of the Tories and UKIP – formal or not – will ignore Scotland, however strong the SNP, as it heads towards exit from the EU.

The Guardian

Yet, far from expressing wonder that an act as extreme and barbaric as the murders is what it takes for the west to show defiance towards a religious duty that is not meaningful to non-Muslims, cultural provocateurs successfully argue that this highly exceptional situation is in fact indicative of a general contempt for Islam.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "towards" to indicate movement in a physical direction, as well as progress towards a goal or change in attitude.

Common error

While "towards" and "toward" are both correct, "towards" is more common in British English. Choose one and be consistent throughout your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "towards" is that of a preposition. It indicates the direction of movement or action. According to Ludwig AI, its correct usage is confirmed. It connects nouns or pronouns to other parts of the sentence, showing spatial or directional relationships, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Travel

6%

Opinion

4%

Less common in

Lifestyle

3%

Sport

3%

Books

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "towards" functions as a preposition primarily used to indicate direction, movement, or progression. It is considered grammatically correct and very common in both written and spoken English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While interchangeable with "toward", "towards" is favored in British English. Its usage spans various contexts, but it is most frequently found in news and media. When writing, ensure consistency with either "towards" or "toward", and use it to clearly indicate direction or advancement. Ludwig's examples showcase its diverse applications, reinforcing its versatility and relevance in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the direction of

Replaces "towards" with a more explicit directional phrase, suitable for formal contexts.

approaching

Focuses on the act of getting closer, emphasizing movement and decreasing distance.

on the path to

Emphasizes progression and advancement, often used in the context of goals or achievements.

headed for

Suggests a planned or determined course of action, implying a destination.

aiming at

Implies a specific target or goal, indicating intention and direction.

in the vicinity of

Indicates approximate location or proximity, rather than strict directionality.

leading to

Indicates a cause-and-effect relationship, suggesting that something is a precursor to a subsequent event or outcome.

with respect to

Indicates a connection or relationship, often used in discussions or analyses.

in relation to

Highlights the connection or association between two or more things.

relative to

Similar to "with respect to", but emphasizes comparison or proportionality.

FAQs

How do I use "towards" in a sentence?

Use "towards" to indicate movement in a specific direction, either literally (e.g., "He walked towards the door") or figuratively (e.g., "She is working towards a promotion").

What is the difference between "towards" and "toward"?

"Towards" and "toward" are interchangeable in most contexts, with "towards" being more common in British English and "toward" in American English.

What can I say instead of "towards"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "in the direction of", "approaching", or "headed for".

Is it grammatically correct to end a sentence with "towards"?

While it's generally acceptable, ending a sentence with "towards" may sound slightly awkward. Rephrasing to avoid it often leads to a clearer sentence. For example, instead of "Which way are they going towards?", try "Which way are they going?".