toward
/ˈtō-ərd ˈtȯ(-ə)rd/ (ame, mw)
toward — 介系詞
1. showing the direction that someone or something is moving, facing, or looking in
朝；向
朝著某個方向移動
showing the direction that someone or something is moving, facing, or looking in — often without indicating that the destination is actually reached
The children ran toward the playground as soon as the bell rang.
鈴聲一響，孩子們就朝著操場跑去。
toward + destination noun for physical direction
Emre walked toward the bookstore to see if his favourite novel had arrived.
Emre 走向書店，想看看他喜歡的小說到了沒有。
walk toward + destination
A dark cloud moved slowly toward the town as the wind picked up.
隨著風勢增強，一片烏雲緩緩朝小鎮移動。
Rachel turned her head toward the noise coming from the kitchen.
Rachel 把頭轉向廚房傳來的聲響。
Femi pushed the chair back toward the table after he stood up.
Femi 站起身後，把椅子推回桌邊。
- to
to implies reaching the destination; toward only indicates direction without guaranteeing arrival
- in the direction of
more formal and precise; often used in written instructions
- away from
opposite direction of movement
文法句型
toward + destination/person
verb + toward + noun phrase
用法筆記
Unlike to, toward does not imply that the destination was reached. You can drive toward a city all morning and still not arrive there.
常見錯誤
2. used to say how a person feels, thinks, or behaves in relation to someone or som
對待
表示態度或行為的對象
used to say how a person feels, thinks, or behaves in relation to someone or something
The manager has a very friendly attitude toward new employees.
那位經理對新進員工的態度非常友善。
attitude toward + person for relational meaning
Adina felt deep respect toward her grandmother, who had raised six children alone.
Adina 對她的祖母懷有深深的敬意，祖母獨自養大了六個孩子。
feeling + toward + person
Yan's behaviour toward his classmates has improved a lot this year.
Yan 今年對同學的態度改善了很多。
Dr. Okafor showed remarkable patience toward the frightened child in the emergency room.
Okafor 醫生對急診室裡受驚嚇的孩子展現了極大的耐心。
文法句型
feeling/attitude + toward + person/thing
behaviour + toward + person
用法筆記
Commonly paired with abstract nouns that describe feelings or behaviour: attitude, feelings, respect, kindness, hostility, patience, responsibility.
常見錯誤
3. near or close to a particular time, or close to a location in the course of movi
將近；接近
接近某時間或地點
near or close to a particular time, or close to a location in the course of moving through it
The temperature drops sharply toward evening in this desert region.
在這個沙漠地區，氣溫將近傍晚時會急遽下降。
toward + time of day
We should finish this project sometime toward the end of next week.
我們應該在下週接近尾聲時完成這個專案。
toward + the end of [period]
Toward midnight, the party finally began to quiet down.
將近午夜時，派對終於開始安靜下來。
The forest gets noticeably darker toward the centre, where the trees grow thickest.
到森林深處靠近中心的地方，樹長得最密，光線明顯變暗。
- near
simpler and more common; 'near evening' means roughly the same as 'toward evening'
文法句型
toward + time of day/period
toward + location/area
用法筆記
When referring to time, toward indicates approximation — the event happens near that point, not necessarily exactly at it.
4. used to indicate that money, effort, or action is given or used to help pay for
用於；作為
為購買或達成某目的
used to indicate that money, effort, or action is given or used to help pay for something or to achieve a particular result
I save ten percent of my salary each month toward buying a house.
我每個月存下薪水的百分之十，作為買房的頭期款。
save + toward + gerund phrase for purpose
Caio has been working hard toward earning his degree in environmental science.
Caio 一直努力朝著取得環境科學學位的目標前進。
All the money from the bake sale will go toward building a new school library.
義賣活動的所有收入將用於建造一所新的學校圖書館。
The Watanabe family donated a large sum toward the hospital's new cancer wing.
渡邊家捐了一大筆錢，用於醫院的新癌症專科大樓。
- for
simpler and more general; 'save for a house' is more common in everyday speech than 'save toward a house'
文法句型
save + toward + [goal]
work + toward + [achievement]
contribute + toward + [purpose]
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a gerund (-ing form) when describing the purpose or goal: 'save toward buying', 'work toward achieving', 'go toward building'.
toward — 形容詞
- towardpositive
- more towardcomparative
- most towardsuperlative
1. about to happen or appear very soon; expected at any moment
即將來臨的
快要發生的
about to happen or appear very soon; expected at any moment
With dark clouds massing on the horizon, a violent storm was toward and the sailors secured the deck.
烏雲在地平線上聚集，一場猛烈的暴風雨即將來臨，水手們趕緊固定甲板。
literary register: be toward for imminent event
The villagers sensed that change was toward, though no one could say when it would arrive.
村民們感覺到變革即將來臨，但沒有人說得準何時會到來。
Harvest was toward, and the fields glowed gold under the autumn sun.
收成季節即將到來，秋陽下田野金黃燦爛。
The wedding was toward and the entire family helped with the final preparations.
婚禮即將到來，全家人都在幫忙做最後的準備。
- imminent
the standard modern equivalent; far more common than toward in this sense
- approaching
less formal than imminent but still common in writing
- impending
often used for negative or threatening events
文法句型
be toward
seem toward
2. currently happening or actively being prepared or developed
進行中的
正在發生或籌備中
currently happening or actively being prepared or developed
Plans were toward for a grand celebration, but the guest of honour knew nothing about it.
盛大的慶祝活動正在籌備中，但受邀請的貴賓對此毫不知情。
literary register: plans be toward for ongoing activity
A scheme was toward that would bring clean water to every village in the valley.
一項能為山谷中每個村莊帶來乾淨用水的計畫正在進行中。
Negotiations were well toward when the mediator suddenly fell ill.
談判正順利進行時，調解人突然病倒了。
Preparations were toward for the festival, with decorations going up across the town square.
節慶的準備工作正在進行，整個廣場上都掛起了裝飾。
- afoot
the closest modern equivalent, still somewhat literary
- under way
neutral and common; 'plans are under way' is everyday English
- in progress
the most straightforward modern alternative
文法句型
be toward
plans/work + be + toward
用法筆記
Highly literary or archaic. In modern English, 'afoot', 'under way', or 'in progress' is used instead. This sense is almost always found in past-tense constructions with 'be'.
3. having a natural ability to learn or understand things quickly and easily
有悟性的
學習速度快的
having a natural ability to learn or understand things quickly and easily
The youngest student was remarkably toward in languages and mastered Spanish in three months.
最年幼的學生在語言方面非常有悟性，三個月就學會了西班牙語。
literary register: be toward in [subject] for aptitude
A toward apprentice can learn the trade in half the usual time.
有悟性的學徒能用一半的時間學會技藝。
Feng was toward in mathematics from an early age, solving problems far beyond his grade level.
Feng 從小在數學方面就很有悟性，解題能力遠遠超越同年級學生。
Hari was so toward in music that he could play a tune by ear after hearing it once.
Hari 在音樂方面非常有悟性，聽過一次的旋律就能憑耳朵彈奏出來。
- slow
slow to learn or understand
文法句型
be toward in [subject]
a toward [learner]
用法筆記
Archaic or literary. In modern English, 'quick', 'apt', 'sharp', or 'gifted' is used instead. The construction 'toward in [subject]' is the typical pattern.
4. giving signs or reasons to expect a good result; favourable or propitious
吉利的
有好兆頭的
giving signs or reasons to expect a good result; favourable or propitious
The timing was toward for launching the business, and Élise decided to take the risk.
創業的時機非常吉利，Élise 決定抓住這個機會。
literary register: timing be toward for favourable conditions
The committee saw the proposal as a toward sign and approved it without changes.
委員會認為這項提案是一個好兆頭，未經修改就批准了。
Clear skies and a calm sea are toward omens for a long voyage.
晴朗的天空與平靜的海面是遠航的吉利徵兆。
Obi took the rainbow as a toward omen before setting out on his journey.
Obi 在出發前把彩虹視為吉利的好兆頭。
- favourable
the standard modern equivalent; 'favourable conditions' is everyday English
- promising
suggests potential for future success
- auspicious
more formal, often for beginnings or events
- unfavourable
not likely to produce a good result
- inauspicious
giving signs of a bad outcome
文法句型
be toward
a toward sign/omen
用法筆記
Archaic or literary. In modern English, 'favourable', 'promising', or 'auspicious' is preferred. Often appears with 'omen', 'sign', or 'timing'.