What's the difference between towards and toward?

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-01-04 12:42am

They're the same word. If memory serves, "towards" is actually illegitimate. You're supposed to always say, "He's walking toward me," not "he's walking towards me."

Kelly Antilles · Post by **Kelly Antilles** » 2003-01-04 12:42am

an s.

Truly, there is nothing. Here is the entry over at M-W.com

Main Entry: 1to·ward
Pronunciation: 'tO(-&)rd, 'to(-&)rd
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English toward, from Old English tOweard facing, imminent, from tO, preposition, to + -weard -ward
Date: before 12th century
1 also to·wards /'tO(-&)rdz, 'to(-&)rdz/ [Middle English towardes, from Old English tOweardes, preposition, toward, from tOweard, adjective] a : coming soon : IMMINENT b : happening at the moment : AFOOT
2 a obsolete : quick to learn : APT b : PROPITIOUS, FAVORING <a toward breeze>

Shinova · Post by **Shinova** » 2003-01-04 12:47am

Another question:

I've seen the colon ( : ) often used to start dialogue instead of a comma ( , ).

Any difference in the usage of the two?

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-01-04 12:50am

Shinova wrote:Another question:

I've seen the colon ( : ) often used to start dialogue instead of a comma ( , ).

Any difference in the usage of the two?

Yes. The colon is incorrect. Dialogue always starts with a comma unless it's special, like a song or poem reading by a character. Or unless you're J.R.R. Tolkein, then you can disobey all the rules of grammar you like.

Darth Yoshi · Post by **Darth Yoshi** » 2003-01-04 12:51am

Comma is the correct way, I think.

Shinova · Post by **Shinova** » 2003-01-04 02:00am

I see. It's just that Frank Herbert does it so many times in Dune.

Post by **NecronLord** » 2003-01-04 10:51am

Durandal wrote:
Shinova wrote:Another question:

I've seen the colon ( : ) often used to start dialogue instead of a comma ( , ).

Any difference in the usage of the two?
Yes. The colon is incorrect. Dialogue always starts with a comma unless it's special, like a song or poem reading by a character. Or unless you're J.R.R. Tolkein, then you can disobey all the rules of grammar you like.

Once you are a professor of aincient languages at cambridge and have written the bestselling book of all time (discounting the bible, and quotations of Mao Tze Tung, both religious tracts) you can laugh at anyone who thinks you need to use the same grammar as ordinary mortals