Towards/Toward

Emermouse

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I've used the word "towards" a few times in my novel, but someone in my writing group said I shouldn't because apparently "towards" is a British spelling whereas "toward" is the American version. Is she right? Or is this one of those penny-ante stuff I really shouldn't give much thought to. I'm just a little curious, is all.
 

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"Towards" is what I usually type. My copyeditor makes it "toward" every single time.

It will likely default to house style and you can make it a hill to die on if you feel strongly about it, but I don't think it reads appreciably different either way.
 

ArtsyAmy

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I agree that you can just pick one, keep it consistent, and be ready for an editor to pick the other one.

To my mind/ear, "toward" sounds a bit more elevated.
 

Jamesaritchie

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The letter "s" is an endangered species, so I save every one I can. If "toward" works, and it always does, why write "towards"?
 

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Yep, unless you also like backwards, forwards, leewards, upwards, and downwards, for consistency get your big "s" out of towards. :D
 
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