Forward vs. Forwards – Which is Correct?

While both are valid words, forward is the more common and versatile term in American English, functioning as an adverb, adjective, verb, and noun. Forwards is primarily used as the plural noun of “forward” (e.g., in sports) or as an adverb, predominantly in British English.

Forward or Forwards – Which is Correct?

The distinction between “forward” and “forwards” largely depends on context and regional dialect. In American English, forward is the standard choice for most uses. It acts as an adverb meaning “towards the front or future” (e.g., “move forward”), an adjective (“a forward motion”), a verb (“to forward an email”), and a singular noun (a player in sports, “a center forward”).

Forwards, on the other hand, is primarily used in American English as the plural form of the noun “forward” (e.g., “the team has three forwards”). As an adverb meaning “towards the front,” “forwards” is more characteristic of British English. Therefore, if you are writing for an American audience and intend to use an adverb, “forward” is almost always the correct choice.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

Think of “forward” as the default and versatile word. If you are describing movement, direction, or an action, “forward” is typically what you need. Reserve “forwards” almost exclusively for plural nouns, such as multiple players on a sports team. If you are unsure and mean “ahead” or “to the front,” choose “forward” to avoid a British English preference.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Forward	Adverb, Adjective, Verb, Noun	Towards the front/future; situated at the front; send on; an attacking player.	“Please step forward.” “A forward pass.” “Please forward the email.” “He plays as a forward.”
Forwards	Noun (plural), Adverb (primarily British)	More than one “forward” (player); towards the front (UK).	“The team has strong forwards.” “He walked forwards (UK usage).”

How to Use Forward

The word “forward” is incredibly versatile in American English, serving multiple grammatical functions. As an adverb, it indicates movement or direction towards the front or future. As an adjective, it describes something situated at the front or progressing. It can also be a verb meaning to transmit or promote, and a noun referring to an attacking player in sports. Its usage is generally neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Example 1 (Adverb): The company decided to move forward with the new marketing strategy.

Example 2 (Adjective): She always has a very forward-thinking approach to problem-solving.

Example 3 (Verb): Could you please forward this report to the entire team by end of day?

What are the different forms of Forward?

“Forward” can take various forms depending on its part of speech:

• As a Verb:
  • Present: forward (I forward), forwards (he forwards)
  • Past: forwarded (I forwarded)
  • Present Participle: forwarding (I am forwarding)
  • Past Participle: forwarded (I have forwarded)
• As an Adjective:
  • Positive: forward (a forward step)
  • Comparative: more forward (a more forward position)
  • Superlative: most forward (the most forward-thinking idea)
• As a Noun:
  • Singular: forward (one forward)
  • Plural: forwards (two forwards)
• As an Adverb: “Forward” remains unchanged.

Etymology of the word Forward

The word “forward” originates from Old English “foreweard,” meaning “towards the front, in front of, before.” It is a compound of “fore” (before) and “weard” (towards), which is also the root of words like “backward” and “homeward.” Over centuries, its meaning expanded to encompass its various adverbial, adjectival, verbal, and nominal uses, consistently retaining the core sense of progression or being at the front.

How to Use Forwards

In American English, “forwards” is predominantly used as the plural noun form of “forward,” particularly in sports contexts to refer to multiple attacking players. For example, “The soccer team has two powerful forwards.” While “forwards” can also function as an adverb meaning “towards the front,” this usage is primarily associated with British English. In American English, “forward” is almost exclusively preferred for the adverbial sense. Therefore, when encountering “forwards,” consider if it’s referring to more than one “forward” or if the text has a British English influence.

Example 1 (Plural Noun): The coach decided to put three forwards on the field to increase their attacking power.

Example 2 (Plural Noun): Analysts are discussing the performance of the team’s star forwards this season.

Example 3 (Adverb – British English context): He took a few steps forwards before stopping. (Note: In American English, this would typically be “a few steps forward.”)

Etymology of the word Forwards

The word “forwards” shares its etymological root with “forward,” deriving from the Old English “foreweard.” The addition of the “-s” suffix to “forward” to create “forwards” as an adverb is an old linguistic development, common in English for creating adverbs of direction (e.g., “backwards,” “upwards”). This adverbial “s” ending became more prevalent in British English, while American English largely dropped it for words like “forward” but retained it for others like “towards.” The plural noun “forwards” is a more straightforward grammatical extension of the singular noun “forward.”

Related Concepts

Understanding a few broader grammatical concepts can help solidify the distinction between “forward” and “forwards.”

• Adverbs of Direction: Many adverbs indicating direction (like “forward,” “backward,” “upward,” “downward”) can sometimes appear with an “-s” suffix (e.g., “forwards,” “backwards”). In American English, the form without the “-s” is generally preferred for these adverbs, while British English often uses both or prefers the “-s” form.
• Nouns vs. Adverbs: Recognizing whether a word is modifying a verb (adverb) or naming a person, place, or thing (noun) is crucial. “Forward” can be both, but “forwards” as a noun is strictly plural.
• British vs. American English: This is a common source of confusion for many word pairs. Being aware of these regional preferences can help you choose the appropriate word for your target audience.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney
• “The company aims to forward its mission of environmental sustainability through innovative new products.” – From a business journal article
• “He took a tentative step forward, peering into the gloom.” – From a mystery novel
• “The coach praised the relentless pressure applied by his team’s forwards throughout the match.” – From a sports news report
• “Looking forward to seeing you all at the conference next week!” – A common phrase in professional correspondence

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The company decided to push ___________ with its new product launch.
2. She plays as one of the best ___________ in the league.
3. Please ___________ this email to the entire department.
4. He leaned ___________ to hear the speaker better.
5. The soccer team had two strong ___________ who scored consistently.

Answer Key

1. forward
2. forwards
3. forward
4. forward
5. forwards

Forward Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Onward	In a continuing forward direction.
Ahead	In or toward the front; in advance.
Advance	To move or bring forward.
Progressive	Happening or developing gradually or in stages.
Transmit	To pass (something) from one person or place to another.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “forwards” ever correct in American English?
Yes, “forwards” is correct in American English when used as the plural noun of “forward,” typically referring to multiple attacking players in sports (e.g., “The team’s forwards are strong.”). As an adverb, “forward” is preferred.

Question 2: Why do some people say “look forwards to” instead of “look forward to”?
“Look forwards to” is a common construction in British English. In American English, the standard and preferred phrasing is “look forward to.” Both convey the same meaning of anticipating something with pleasure.

Question 3: Can “forward” be used as a noun?
Yes, “forward” can be used as a noun, most commonly referring to an attacking player in sports like soccer, hockey, or basketball (e.g., “He is a talented forward.”).

Conclusion

In summary, when faced with “forwards or forward,” remember that forward is the dominant and most versatile choice in American English, serving as an adverb, adjective, verb, and singular noun. Forwards is primarily used as the plural noun for “forward” (e.g., sports players) and, as an adverb, is largely a British English preference. By defaulting to “forward” for most adverbial and directional uses, and reserving “forwards” for plural nouns, you can ensure clarity and adherence to standard American English.

Pro Tip: Using the correct form reflects precision in your communication. In professional settings, consistently choosing “forward” for adverbial uses in American English demonstrates a strong command of the language, enhancing your credibility.