ENGLISH
REFERENCE

toward

prep.
A2 Elementary US //ˈtɔɹd// UK //tʊwˈɔːd// to·ward Archaic

prep. moving in the direction of someone or something. You also use it to talk about things that are happening soon or to show who you are giving something to.

prep. moving or facing in the direction of a specified person or thing; approaching in time or relation. Frequently used to indicate the recipient of an action or the destination of a physical movement.


SIMPLE

She walked toward the park to meet her friends.

CONTEXTUAL

The company is working toward a more sustainable future by reducing plastic waste in its offices.

COMPLEX

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the long shadows stretched across the valley, signaling the end of a productive harvest day.

Origin

From Middle English toward, from Old English tōweard, from Proto-West Germanic *tōward, equivalent to to + -ward. Cognate with Middle Low German tôwart, Middle Dutch toewaert (Modern Dutch toewaarts), Middle High German zuowart, zūwart (Modern German zuwärts). Compare also Middle English tilward, tillward (“toward”).

Usage

Commonly spelled 'towards' in British English and 'toward' in American English; both are grammatically correct.

Pitfall

He walked toward to the doorHe walked toward the doorToward is a preposition and does not require the additional preposition 'to' before the object.

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