If you are writing for a US audience, forward is usually the form you want. Forwards is also a real English word, but it is mainly associated with British English when used as an adverb.
The two forms can express the same basic idea of movement or direction toward the front. The important difference is not usually meaning; it is usage, grammatical role, and regional preference.
For American English, choosing forward keeps your wording natural in everyday conversation, business writing, schoolwork, and professional communication.
Quick Answer
Forward is the standard choice for American English in most situations.
Use:
- Move forward with the project.
- She stepped forward.
- We need to look forward to the next stage.
- Please forward the email to me.
- He plays forward on the team.
Forwards is a valid adverb, especially in British English. In US English, it is much less common as the directional adverb.
So, if your audience is American, forward is the safest and most natural choice.
Why People Confuse Them
The confusion is understandable because forward and forwards have almost the same basic meaning when forwards functions as an adverb.
For example:
- She stepped forward.
- She stepped forwards.
The difference is not that one sentence necessarily describes a different direction. The main issue is regional usage. British English commonly allows forwards, while American English strongly favors forward.
There is another source of confusion: forward has several grammatical roles. It can be an adverb, adjective, verb, or noun. Forwards, in the comparison at issue here, functions as an adverb.
Key Differences At A Glance
| Context | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| American English direction | forward | This is the usual US form. |
| British English direction | forward / forwards | Both are established choices. |
| Professional US writing | forward | It matches normal American usage. |
| Sending an email | forward | Forward is the verb. |
| Sports position | forward | A player can be called a forward. |
| Plural sports position | forwards | Here forwards is a plural noun, not the directional adverb. |
Additional comparison:
| Feature | Forward | Forwards |
|---|---|---|
| Adverb | Yes | Yes |
| Adjective | Yes | No |
| Verb | Yes | No |
| Sports noun | Yes | No as a singular noun |
| Common US directional form | Yes | Less common |
| Mainly UK directional usage | Also used | Common |
Meaning and Usage Difference
As a directional adverb, forward means toward the front, ahead, or toward a later point.
The car rolled forward slowly.
It can also describe progress:
The team is moving forward with the plan.
And it can refer to future time:
Looking forward, we expect several changes.
Forwards generally carries the same directional idea when it is used as an adverb:
The child ran forwards.
The major practical difference for US readers is regional preference rather than a completely different definition.
There is an important grammatical distinction, however. Forward can perform jobs that forwards cannot. For example, you can say:
Please forward the message.
You cannot replace the verb with forwards in that command.
Likewise, forward can be an adjective:
The forward section of the plane was quiet.
Tone, Context, and Formality
In American English, forward works naturally in both casual and formal contexts.
You can use it in a text message:
Just move forward and I’ll meet you there.
You can also use it in professional writing:
We will move forward with the revised schedule.
Forwards is not automatically ungrammatical or meaningless in US English. Readers will generally understand it. However, it may sound less typical to an American audience, especially when used as a directional adverb.
In British English, forwards is much more familiar. Therefore, the choice can signal regional usage more than formality.
For US-focused writing, consistency is simple: use forward for directional and figurative adverbial uses unless a specific quotation or regional voice calls for something else.
Which One Should You Use?
For American English, choose forward in most cases.
Use forward when you mean:
- toward the front
- ahead
- toward progress
- toward a future point
- to send something onward
- a position or location at the front
- a sports player in an attacking position
Use forwards when it is the plural noun for sports players:
The team’s forwards scored three goals.
This is different from the directional adverb:
The players moved forward.
For a US audience, the practical rule is straightforward: use forward as the default form, but do not treat every appearance of forwards as an error.
When One Choice Sounds Wrong
Some substitutions are wrong because they change the grammatical role.
❌ Please forwards the email.
✅ Please forward the email.
Here, forward is a verb, so forwards cannot replace it.
Another problem occurs with adjectives:
❌ the forwards section of the aircraft
✅ the forward section of the aircraft
But forwards can be correct when it is an adverb:
The runner leaned forwards.
That sentence is more characteristic of British usage, but the grammatical category is still adverbial.
Also remember the fixed expression look forward to:
I look forward to hearing from you.
For American professional writing, this is the natural form.
Common Mistakes (and Quick Fixes)
Mistake: Treating forwards as the only correct form
Fix: American English normally uses forward for directional adverbial uses.
Mistake: Assuming forwards is always wrong
Fix: Forwards is a legitimate adverb, especially in British English.
Mistake: Using forwards as a verb
Fix: Use forward as the verb.
Please forward the document.
Mistake: Using forwards as an adjective
Fix: Use forward.
We entered through the forward door.
Mistake: Changing the sports noun incorrectly
The team has three forwards.
Here, forwards is plural because it refers to multiple players. That is a different grammatical use from directional forwards.
Everyday Examples
Here are natural examples for US English:
- Please step forward when your name is called.
- The meeting moved forward after everyone agreed.
- She leaned forward to hear the announcement.
- We are looking forward to the weekend.
- Please forward the invoice to accounting.
- The front passenger sat in the forward section.
- The team’s forwards created several scoring chances.
- The project finally moved forward after the delay.
- He took one step forward and opened the door.
- We should move forward with the original plan.
Notice that forwards is needed in the sports example because it is a plural noun. In the other directional examples, forward is the natural American choice.
Dictionary-Style Word Details
Verb
- Forward: A standard verb meaning to send or pass something onward.
Please forward the email to the manager. - Forwards: Not the directional adverb used as a verb. In a sentence such as Please forwards the email, it is incorrect. The verb is forward; forwards can appear only as the third-person singular verb form of forward, as in She forwards the email every Friday.
Noun
- Forward: A noun for a player positioned toward the attacking end of a team in sports such as soccer, basketball, or hockey.
The forward scored twice. - Forwards: The plural noun when referring to more than one such player.
The team’s forwards played aggressively.
This plural use should not be confused with adverbial forwards.
Synonyms
- Forward: Depending on meaning, closest plain alternatives include ahead, onward, or toward the front. As a verb, send on can be a useful plain alternative.
- Forwards: As a directional adverb, its closest plain alternatives include ahead and toward the front.
These alternatives do not replace every grammatical use of forward.
Example Sentences
- Forward: The hikers continued forward despite the rain.
- Forwards: The child shuffled forwards across the room.
- Forward: I will forward the updated file tonight.
- Forwards: The team’s forwards were ready for the second half.
Word History
Forward has a long history in English and comes from an Old English form related to the ideas of “before” and “toward.” Forwards developed as an adverbial form of the same word family.
The modern difference is therefore mainly about usage and grammatical role, not unrelated meanings.
Phrases Containing
- Forward: move forward, step forward, look forward to, go forward, forward an email, put forward, bring forward
- Forwards: move forwards, step forwards, and backwards and forwards occur, particularly in British English.
FAQs
Is forward or forwards preferred in American English?
Forward is preferred in American English. Both forms can be understood, but forward is the normal directional adverb in US usage. For American readers, writers generally use move forward, step forward, and look forward.
Are forward and forwards interchangeable?
They can overlap when forwards is an adverb of direction. For example, both forms can describe movement toward the front. However, they are not interchangeable in every grammatical role because forward can also be an adjective, verb, or noun.
Is forwards grammatically correct?
Yes, forwards is grammatically correct as an adverb. It is especially common in British English. In American English, however, the shorter form forward is much more usual, so forwards may sound less natural to a US reader.
Can forwards be used as a verb?
No, not as the directional word. The verb is forward: “Please forward the message.” A form such as “She forwards the message” is possible because forwards is the third-person singular form of the verb, not because forwards itself is a verb.
Should you write look forward or look forwards?
Use look forward to in standard American English. The expression means to anticipate something positively. For example, “I look forward to meeting you” is natural. Adding the -s is unnecessary and can sound unusual in American professional writing.
Is forward more appropriate for professional American writing?
Yes, forward is the natural default for professional American writing. It works across directional, figurative, adjectival, noun, and verbal uses. Choosing it also avoids regional variation when your audience is primarily in the United States.
Conclusion
For US English, forward is the clear everyday default. It works naturally as an adverb, adjective, verb, and noun, while forwards is primarily an adverb when it means movement or direction ahead.
The two forms can overlap in meaning, especially across different varieties of English. British English uses forwards more readily, while American English generally favors forward.
One final distinction matters: forwards can also be the plural of the sports noun forward. That use is completely natural in American English.
So when writing for a US audience, choose forward for direction, progress, and common expressions such as look forward to. Use forwards when the grammatical or regional context specifically supports it.
