This word confusion onward vs onwards continues the exploration of other -ward and -wards confusions.
Onward is both adjective and adverb and is similar to forward — toward a point ahead or in the future. While onward is most commonly used when discussing progress toward a goal, it can also be used in the context of travel through physical space or through time.
It can be used to refer to all the time after a certain point, as in These records are from 1950 onward.
It can also be used as a kind of command or word of encouragement meaning something like move on, as in Onward, scouts! We need to reach camp before nightfall.
Onwards means essentially the same thing BUT it is only an adverb.
One expert suggests that onward is used to represent a thing on a fixed date whereas onwards is used to represent a thing which would go forward of a fixed date.
It’s up to you.
Source: Dictionary.com
Exploring Later . . .
You may want to explore “Afterward(s) versus Afterword“, “Backward versus Backwards“, “Forward versus Forwards“, and “Toward versus Towards“.
Word Confusions . . .
. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.
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| Onward | Onwards |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Part of Grammar: | |
| Adjective; Adverb | |
| Adjective: Going further rather than coming to an end or halt
Adverb:
|
Adverb: In a continuing forward direction
|
| Examples: | |
| Adjective: There is no stopping the onward march of history. Oil was pumped to a port for onward shipment. “Over the last 20 years, two trends have already been corroding globalization in the face of its supposedly relentless onward march” (Posen). Adverb: From 1969 onward, she kept her style of dress unchanged. The business moved onward and upward. |
Adverb: She stumbled onwards. From 1969 onwards, she kept her style of dress unchanged. The business moved onwards and upwards. |
| History of the Word: | |
| The first known use of onward was in the 15th century. | |
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
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Resources for Onward versus Onwards
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Apple Dictionary.com
The Free Dictionary: onward
Merriam-Webster: onward
“onwards.” Dictionary.com. n.d. Accessed 20 July 2024. <https://www.dictionary.com/browse/onward>.
Posen, Adam S. “The End of Globalization?” Foreign Affairs. 17 Mar 2022. Accessed 20 July 2024. <https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/world/2022-03-17/end-globalization>.
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A Young Girl Climbs an Artificial Rock Wall by Staff Sergeant Jarad A. Denton, US Air Force, and is under the Public Domain Mark 1.0 license, via Picryl.
