Hello, language enthusiasts! Today’s English lesson focuses on the usage of two often-confused words: “Backward” and “Backwards”. Both words have similar meanings, but their usage can vary.
Backward
“Backward” (IPA: /ˈbakwərd/) describes a direction or movement in the reverse or opposite way.
Here are 5 examples:
- He moved one step backward. (He moved one step in the opposite direction)
- The car went backward down the hill. (The car went down the hill in reverse)
- We cannot go backward in time. (We can’t go in the reverse direction in time)
- She looked backward to see if someone was following her. (She looked in the opposite direction to check for a follower)
- The chair tipped backward. (The chair tipped in the opposite direction)
Backwards
“Backwards” (IPA: /ˈbakwərdz/), synonymous with “backward”, can be used interchangeably in most contexts, particularly in British English.
Here are 5 examples:
- He fell backwards into the pool. (He fell in reverse into the pool)
- She accidentally read the letter backwards. (She read the letter in reverse by mistake)
- The clock was running backwards. (The clock was running in reverse)
- He pushed the box backwards. (He pushed the box in the opposite direction)
- The boat moved backwards against the current. (The boat moved in reverse against the current)
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Backward” and “Backwards” both refer to a movement or direction opposite to the usual, and are largely interchangeable. Generally, “backward” is more common in American English, while “backwards” is preferred in British English.