toward(s)
toward(s) — preposition
1. showing the direction of movement from one place to another — for example, walki
showing the direction of movement from one place to another — for example, walking toward a door or turning to face toward the speaker.
Camila walked toward the library with her backpack swinging.
toward + noun phrase indicating physical direction
A small boat drifted slowly toward the harbour entrance.
Reuben glanced toward the window when he heard the rain start.
The children waved as the train moved toward the station platform.
Linh pointed toward the tall building at the end of the street.
- to
toward(s) emphasises direction without necessarily reaching the destination; 'to' often implies arrival.
- in the direction of
more formal and explicit, used in technical or written contexts
- away from
opposite direction of movement
文法句型
toward(s) + noun phrase
用法筆記
In American English the form toward is more common; in British English towards is more frequent. The meaning is identical.
常見錯誤
2. used to say how a person feels, behaves, or thinks about someone or something —
used to say how a person feels, behaves, or thinks about someone or something — for example, kindness toward a neighbour, anger toward a policy, or a positive attitude toward change.
Anjali has always shown great kindness toward her younger brother.
noun + toward = attitude direction
Joshua felt a lot of anger toward the company that laid him off.
The government's attitude toward education funding has shifted completely.
Sirin's feelings toward her new job were mixed at first.
The teacher's behaviour toward the shy student was patient and warm.
- with regard to
more formal and used in writing
- about
informal; 'about' is less precise for interpersonal attitudes
- regarding
formal, used in official or business contexts
文法句型
feeling/attitude + toward(s) + noun phrase
用法筆記
Common after nouns and adjectives describing feelings or behaviour: 'attitude toward', 'feelings toward', 'kind toward', 'hostile toward'. Unlike the direction sense, this sense always involves a person, group, or abstract target.
常見錯誤
3. used to show that money, time, or effort is given as help or partial payment for
used to show that money, time, or effort is given as help or partial payment for a particular purpose — for example, saving money toward a car or donating time toward a project.
Amira saved two hundred dollars each month toward a new laptop.
save + money + toward(s) + goal
All the money from the bake sale goes toward buying new library books.
The government gave the city funds toward building a new school wing.
Ziad put his entire bonus toward paying off his student loan early.
The charity donation went toward feeding homeless families during winter.
- for
simpler but less specific toward a purpose; 'toward' emphasises incremental progress
- in support of
more formal, used in written contexts
文法句型
money/effort + toward(s) + noun phrase
用法筆記
The object is usually a goal or purpose that requires money or effort. Can be followed by a noun or the -ing form of a verb.
常見錯誤
4. at a point near or close to something in a particular direction — used to descri
at a point near or close to something in a particular direction — used to describe where something sits or is placed.
Their house is set back toward the far end of the lane.
toward indicating position, not movement
The sofa faces toward the fireplace so the room feels cosy.
Ignacio parked his scooter toward the rear of the garage.
A small wooden bench stood toward the top of the garden hill.
- far from
distant in position
文法句型
toward(s) + noun phrase (position)
用法筆記
This sense describes a static position, not movement. It often appears with verbs that describe location or placement such as 'sit', 'stand', 'face', 'be situated'.
5. near and approaching a particular point in time — such as toward evening, toward
near and approaching a particular point in time — such as toward evening, toward midnight, or toward the end of a meeting.
The party wound down toward midnight and guests began to leave.
toward + specific time
Toward the end of the film, the audience started crying.
The temperature dropped sharply toward the late afternoon.
Traffic always gets heavier toward the start of the rush hour.
- near
simpler and more common for time; toward(s) adds a sense of progression
- close to
informal, same approximate meaning
- approaching
emphasises the movement through time
- after
later than a time point
文法句型
toward(s) + time expression
用法筆記
Commonly paired with 'the end of', 'the beginning of', or times of day. Unlike 'by' or 'before', toward(s) suggests an approach without specifying the exact boundary.
常見錯誤
toward(s) — adjective
- toward(s)positive
- more toward(s)comparative
- most toward(s)superlative
1. likely to happen very soon — used in literary or formal writing about events tha
likely to happen very soon — used in literary or formal writing about events that feel imminent.
With winter toward, the farmers brought all the animals inside the barn.
The old sailor sensed a violent storm was toward by the shift in the wind.
be + toward = be imminent (literary)
As the wedding date was toward, the whole village buzzed with excitement.
The villagers stocked extra firewood when they sensed hard winter was toward.
- imminent
the most common modern equivalent; 'toward' is archaic
- approaching
more widely understood in current English
- coming
simple and natural in everyday language
- distant
far off in time
文法句型
be + toward
用法筆記
Almost exclusively found in older or literary English. In modern everyday speech, 'imminent', 'coming', or 'approaching' are used instead.
2. already taking place or being carried out at the present moment — used in litera
already taking place or being carried out at the present moment — used in literary contexts to describe an event or process that is under way.
The work on the new bridge is toward and should finish by spring.
be + toward = be in progress
Plans are toward for a grand celebration of the town's anniversary.
The harvest was already toward when the first frost hit the valley.
Preparations for the royal visit were toward throughout the palace.
- afoot
the closest synonym, also somewhat literary
- under way
common in modern English for ongoing processes
- in progress
formal but widely used
- completed
already finished
文法句型
be + toward
用法筆記
Very rare in modern English. 'Afoot', 'under way', 'in progress', or 'happening' are the contemporary alternatives.
3. naturally able to learn new skills or subjects quickly and easily — used in olde
naturally able to learn new skills or subjects quickly and easily — used in older or literary English about a person's aptitude.
The young apprentice was toward in learning the blacksmith's trade.
be + toward + in + skill/field
Of all the students in the class, Linh was the most toward in mathematics.
The old teacher recalled how toward the boy had been with languages.
A toward child can master new instruments faster than most adults expect.
- slow
slow to learn or understand
文法句型
be + toward + in + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is archaic. In modern English, use 'apt', 'quick', 'bright', or 'gifted' instead. It is almost never used in spoken conversation.
4. producing a helpful or lucky outcome — used in older or formal English to descri
producing a helpful or lucky outcome — used in older or formal English to describe conditions or signs that favour a particular result.
The weather was toward for the sailing race, with a steady wind.
The farmer considered the spring rains a toward sign for the crops.
toward + noun = favourable (literary)
A toward breeze helped the ship reach port before the storm hit.
The council saw the rising attendance as a toward development for the town.
- favourable
the direct modern equivalent
- promising
common and natural in everyday English
- propitious
formal and literary, close in register to 'toward'
- unfavourable
not helpful or advantageous
文法句型
toward + noun
用法筆記
Almost entirely replaced by 'favourable', 'promising', or 'propitious' in modern English. This sense survives mostly in historical or literary texts.