Forward vs Forwards

Quick Answer

The fastest way to know which spelling to use.

The difference between forward and forwards comes down entirely to geography and grammar rules.

If you are writing for an audience in the United States, the correct spelling is forward. If you are writing for an audience in the United Kingdom, Australia, or New Zealand, forwards is a common adverb, though "forward" is also used.

Both words refer to the exact same thing: moving toward the front or sending something onward. Neither spelling is grammatically incorrect in its respective region, but using the wrong one for your target audience can look out of place.

Forward vs Forwards at a Glance

A side-by-side breakdown of the key differences.

Feature	Airplane (US)	Aeroplane (UK)
Standard Region	United States	United Kingdom
Spelling	F-O-R-W-A-R-D	F-O-R-W-A-R-D-S
Syllable Count	2 (FOR-wərd)	2 (FOR-wədz)
Origin	Simplified American spelling	Old English adverbial suffix
Meaning	Directional / Sending	Directional / Sending

American English: Forward

How the word is used in the United States.

In the United States, "forward" is the universally accepted spelling for all parts of speech. It is used as an adjective, a verb, and an adverb. The spelling drops the "s" entirely, favoring a streamlined approach that applies the same form regardless of grammatical function.

Industry Standard

American tech companies, logistics firms, and sports leagues exclusively use "forward" in their manuals and regulations.

Media and Publishing

Major publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal strictly follow the "forward" spelling.

British English: Forwards

How the word is used in the United Kingdom.

In the United Kingdom, "forwards" is the traditional and standard spelling for the adverbial form (e.g., moving forwards). However, "forward" is still used as an adjective (forward planning) and as a verb (to forward an email). The "s" is a retention of the Old English adverbial suffix.

Cultural Presence

The spelling is common in British literature, from characters "rocking backwards and forwards" to sports commentary."

Modern Usage

Though "forward" is increasingly common due to American tech influence, "forwards" remains the natural adverbial choice for native British speakers.

What Do Both Words Mean?

The definition remains exactly the same.

Despite the spelling difference, both "forward" and "forwards" mean exactly the same thing. They refer to the direction pointing ahead, onward progression in time, or the act of sending something (like an email) to another person.

Core Definition

Moving or pointing toward the front, or sending something onward to someone else.

Not Just Movement

It can also refer to being advanced in thinking or anticipating future needs, though this is usually an adjective (requiring "forward" in both dialects).

American English Usage

How Americans naturally use the word today.

In the US, "forward" is used in almost every context, from casual conversation to technical manuals. It functions seamlessly as a verb (to forward a message), an adjective (a forward thinker), and an adverb (step forward).

Casual Conversation

"Take two steps forward and raise your right hand."

Digital Communication

"I will forward that spreadsheet to you after lunch."

Sports Context

"The coach told the player to push forward and take the shot."

Business Strategy

"We are looking forward to a profitable fourth quarter."

British English Usage

How Britons naturally use the word today.

In the UK, "forwards" is primarily used as an adverb of direction. A Briton will "walk forwards" but will "forward an email." The distinction is subtle but deeply ingrained in British grammar.

Literature and Media

"The pendulum swung forwards, striking the heavy wooden case."

Everyday Conversation

"If you move forwards a bit, we can fit past this car."

Sports Context

"The team pushed forwards aggressively in the second half."

News and Journalism

"The government is looking forwards to the next phase of negotiations."

Which Spelling Should You Use?

Deciding based on your audience.

The decision is entirely context-driven. If you are writing an email to an American colleague, use "forward." If you are writing a story set in London, use "forwards" for directional movement.

Choose "Forward" if:

You are writing for a US-based publisher, studying at an American school, or using the word as a verb or adjective in any English dialect.

Choose "Forwards" if:

You are writing a directional adverb for a British audience, or following Commonwealth English standards.

Formal and Professional Writing

What to do in business and academic contexts.

In highly formal writing, the safest approach is to use "forward" for all functions. Many British style guides now prefer "forward" over "forwards" even in adverbial use, viewing the "s" as somewhat colloquial.

Business Contracts

International legal documents typically use "forward" to prevent ambiguity, applying it universally as both an adjective and an adverb.

Academic Research

Scientific papers generally use "forward" regardless of the author's native dialect, aligning with international scientific standards.

Pronunciation

The spelling change creates a slight shift in sound.

The spelling difference creates a subtle shift in the final consonant sound when spoken.

Word	IPA	Syllables
Airplane (US)	/ˈfɔːrwərd/	2 (FOR-wərd)
Aeroplane (UK)	/ˈfɔːwədz/	2 (FOR-wədz)

Because the American version ends in "rd," the final sound is a soft 'd'. The British version ends in "rds," which creates a distinct "dz" sound at the end of the word.

Spelling Difference

A visual breakdown of the letters.

The core difference is the presence of the letter "s" at the end of the British adverb.

Forward

Forwards

The American version uses "forward" for all parts of speech. The British version retains the "s" for the adverb, a leftover from Old English suffix patterns that designated direction.

Why Are the Spellings Different?

The history behind the transatlantic split.

1. The Old English Suffix

In Old and Middle English, it was common to add an "s" to adverbs to denote direction (like *towards*, *afterwards*, and *backwards*). British English retained this "s" for "forwards."

2. Noah Webster's Reform

In the early 1800s, American lexicographer Noah Webster wanted to create a distinctly American version of English. He favored simpler, streamlined spellings. Americans standardized on "forward" without the "s," aligning it with words where the "s" had already been dropped.

3. The Modern Standard

While both were once used interchangeably in the UK, "forward" has become standard for adjectives and verbs, while "forwards" survives primarily as an adverb of direction in British English today.

Synonyms, Antonyms & Rhyming Words

Words related to, opposite of, and sounding like forward/forwards.

Synonyms (Similar Meaning)

Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)

Rhyming Words (Sound Matches)

Learn More Rhyming Words

Example Sentences

See how both words function in original sentences.

Here are 30 original sentences using the American spelling, "forward."

Please forward the meeting notes to the rest of the team.
The soldier took one step forward and saluted.
She is a very forward thinker when it comes to renewable energy.
The basketball player played forward for the Chicago Bulls.
We are looking forward to our vacation in Florida.
The company needs to forward the shipping documents to customs.
He threw the ball forward to his teammate.
The clock on the wall was set five minutes forward.
Could you forward me the link to that article?
The project is moving forward despite the budget cuts.
The car's forward momentum was halted by the brakes.
The detective asked the witness to step forward to identify the suspect.
Please keep your arms and legs forward while the ride is in motion.
The teacher told the students to look forward and pay attention.
I accidentally hit the forward button instead of reply.
The hockey player was penalized for forward passing in the neutral zone.
The general ordered his troops to march forward.
Her forward attitude often surprised her conservative colleagues.
The plane's forward cargo door was securely locked.
The email system will automatically forward messages to your personal account.
We need to plan forward for the next fiscal year.
The pitcher leaned forward to throw the fastball.
The forward cabin of the ship was flooded during the storm.
The CEO presented a forward strategy to the board of directors.
The website asks if you want to forward your tracking information.
The car suddenly lunged forward when the light turned green.
The politician took a forward stance on healthcare reform.
He was surprisingly forward about his past mistakes.
The software update will push forward to all users by midnight.
The sports announcer yelled, "He takes it forward for the touchdown!"

Here are 30 original sentences using the British spelling, "forwards."

The pendulum swung forwards, ticking away the seconds.
She rocked forwards and backwards on the rocking chair.
If you lean forwards, you can see the stage much better.
The rugby player charged forwards through the defensive line.
We are looking forwards to the upcoming bank holiday.
The soldier was ordered to march forwards into the trenches.
The car jerked forwards as the driver stalled on the hill.
He stepped forwards to accept the award from the Queen.
The crowd surged forwards as the concert gates opened.
Please move forwards in the queue to make room for others.
The football team pushed forwards aggressively in the final ten minutes.
The cyclist pedalled forwards against the strong headwind.
The boat drifted forwards slowly with the incoming tide.
She fell forwards onto the grass after tripping over the root.
The tram rolled forwards towards the next stop on the high street.
The train jolted forwards, spilling tea on the passenger's lap.
He leaned forwards to whisper a secret in her ear.
The scouts crept forwards through the dense undergrowth.
The ball rolled forwards into the bushes and was lost.
She pushed the pram forwards along the bumpy pavement.
The plane taxied forwards onto the runway at Heathrow.
The economy is moving forwards after a difficult financial quarter.
The skater glided forwards across the frozen lake.
The horse trotted forwards along the bridlepath.
The heavy doors swung forwards on their rusty hinges.
The detective stepped forwards to examine the evidence on the floor.
The choir moved forwards to the front of the cathedral.
The children edged forwards to get a better view of the magician.
The tortoise plodded forwards at its own slow pace.
The negotiations are progressing forwards smoothly despite initial setbacks.

Forward in US English

Specific contexts, industry standards, and cultural data for the American spelling.

In the United States, "forward" is not just the linguistic standard; it is the technological and cultural standard. American tech companies, sports leagues, and pop culture creators exclusively use this single, streamlined spelling.

Legal & Regulatory Definition

In US contract law, "forwarding" refers to the dispatch of documents or goods, and "forward" is the only spelling used in federal logistics regulations.

Technology & UI

The "Forward" button in Microsoft Outlook, Gmail, and Apple Mail is hardcoded for American English, cementing the verb form in the global tech lexicon.

Sports & Culture

In American football and basketball, a "forward pass" is a fundamental play. The film and theater industry also uses the spelling in the term "flash-forward."

Common American Phrases

• Forward thinking: Anticipating future needs.
• Forward pass: Throwing the ball ahead.
• Look forward to: Anticipating pleasure.
• Fast forward: Skipping ahead in media.

Forwards in UK English

Specific contexts, industry standards, and cultural data for the British spelling.

In the UK, "forwards" is the traditional adverbial standard for physical movement. While the verb and adjective forms use "forward" (e.g., "forward an email"), "forwards" remains the natural choice for Britons describing directional motion.

Legal & Regulatory Usage

In UK legal and formal documents, "forward" is preferred for all functions, though "forwards" may still appear in older texts describing physical movement or progression.

Media & Publications

British newspapers like The Guardian often use "forwards" when describing physical advancement, such as "the team pushed forwards," while using "forward" for business contexts.

Cultural & Literary Usage

The word is prominent in British literature. Characters frequently "lean forwards" or "stagger forwards," giving the prose a distinctly British rhythm.

Common British Phrases

• Rocking backwards and forwards: A common idiom for motion.
• Step forwards: Moving to the front.
• Look forwards to: Anticipating an event.
• Move forwards: Making physical progress.

Related Directional Vocabulary

Other words that differ in direction and movement.

US English	UK English	Meaning
Toward	Towards	In the direction of.
Backward	Backwards	In the reverse direction.
Upward	Upwards	Moving to a higher position.
Downward	Downwards	Moving to a lower position.

Other US–UK Directional Suffix Differences

More words that change when you cross the pond.

Toward vs. Towards

Americans use "toward," while Britons use "towards" with the same adverbial 's' rule.

Backward vs. Backwards

The US uses "backward," while the UK commonly uses "backwards."

Afterward vs. Afterwards

American English drops the 's' for afterward, while British English retains it.

Upward vs. Upwards

The US drops the 's', whereas the UK keeps it for the adverb.

Common Mistakes

Frequent errors writers make with these spellings.

Mixing spellings within the same document.

✓ Pick one regional standard and stick to it.

Why: Writing "He stepped forward and then leaned forwards" confuses the reader and breaks the consistency of your text.

Using "forwards" in an American academic paper.

✓ Use "forward" for US-based journals and schools.

Why: American professors and publishers expect standard American English. Using the British spelling looks like a typo in this context.

Using "forwards" as an adjective in British English.

✓ Use "forward" for adjectives in both dialects.

Why: Even in the UK, "forward planning" or "forward thinking" is correct. "Forwards planning" is grammatically incorrect.

Using "forwards" as a verb in British English.

✓ Use "forward" for the verb in both dialects.

Why: You "forward" an email in both the US and the UK. "I will forwards this email" is universally incorrect.

Pronouncing "forwards" with a hard "D-S" break.

✓ Pronounce it as "FOR-wədz."

Why: The "ds" in the British spelling blends into a distinct "dz" sound, rather than pronouncing the 'd' and 's' separately.

Assuming "forwards" is completely wrong in the US.

✓ Recognize it as the British adverbial variant.

Why: Some Americans assume it's a misspelling, but it is entirely modern and standard in the UK for directional adverbs.

Confusing "forward" with "foreword."

✓ Keep "forward" (direction) separate from "foreword" (book intro).

Why: A "foreword" is an introduction to a book. This homophone is a common trap for writers in all varieties of English.

Forgetting that Canada usually aligns with the US.

✓ Use "forward" for Canadian audiences.

Why: Despite being in the Commonwealth, Canadian English heavily favors American spellings for directional suffixes.

Using "forwards" when "forth" is more appropriate.

✓ Use "forth" for abstract progression.

Why: In phrases like "back and forth," "forth" is standard in both dialects, not "forward" or "forwards."

Adding an extra syllable to "forward" in speech.

✓ Pronounce both words with two syllables.

Why: Both "forward" and "forwards" have two syllables. The 's' does not add a third beat; it simply alters the ending consonant.

Writing for an International Audience

How to handle the split when writing globally.

If you are writing a blog, book, or manual for a global audience, you must pick a primary English standard. Most international organizations choose either US or UK English as their default and stick to it.

Pro Tip: Because digital communication is so heavily influenced by American software, the verb "forward" is universally recognized. However, if your narrative or descriptive writing is set in the UK, using "forwards" for physical movement adds authentic British flavor.

Memory Tip

An easy way to remember which spelling belongs to which country.

If you struggle to remember the difference, use this simple association trick based on the "s":

US English = Forward

UK English = Forwards

Notice the letter "s." British English often keeps the "s" on directional adverbs (forwards, towards, afterwards). American English drops the "s" (forward, toward, afterward).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions.

Are 'forward' and 'forwards' pronounced the same way?

No, there is a slight difference. The American 'forward' ends with a soft 'rd' sound (/ˈfɔːrwərd/). The British 'forwards' ends with a 'dz' sound (/ˈfɔːwədz/) due to the 'ds' suffix.

Why does America use 'forward' instead of 'forwards'?

In the early 19th century, Noah Webster simplified American spellings. He dropped the Old English adverbial 's' from words like 'forwards,' 'towards,' and 'afterwards,' standardizing them as 'forward,' 'toward,' and 'afterward.'

Is 'forwards' ever used in the United States?

It is very rare in modern American English. You might occasionally see it in older literature, but 'forward' is the undisputed standard in the US today for all parts of speech.

What about Canada and Australia? Which spelling do they use?

Canada generally follows the American spelling ('forward'). Australia and New Zealand follow British English, using 'forwards' as an adverb and 'forward' as an adjective or verb.

Can 'forwards' be used as an adjective in the UK?

No. Even in British English, the adjective form is 'forward.' For example, a British person would say 'forward planning,' never 'forwards planning.'

Which spelling is older, 'forward' or 'forwards'?

'Forwards' is older, retaining the Old English adverbial suffix. 'Forward' came later as a streamlined form that eventually became the American standard.

Should I use 'forward' or 'forwards' in academic writing?

You should match the regional standard of your publisher. However, many British style guides now prefer 'forward' even as an adverb in highly formal or academic writing for consistency.

What about the verb, as in 'forwarding an email'?

The verb is always spelled 'forward' (without the 's') in both American and British English. 'I will forwards this email' is grammatically incorrect everywhere.

Are there other words that follow this directional suffix pattern?

Yes, many. Examples include 'toward/towards,' 'backward/backwards,' 'upward/upwards,' and 'afterward/afterwards.' The US drops the 's' while the UK retains it for adverbs.

Which word is more commonly used globally today?

Because of the dominance of American software (like email clients with a 'Forward' button), 'forward' is widely recognized globally. However, 'forwards' remains the natural spoken adverb in the UK and Commonwealth.