Does one go toward or towards something? When is each form of the word correct?
The same with regard:
Is it “In regards to this trial,” [as McCoy’s assistant just said in Law and Order, or “In regard…”?
Is it “Ignorance of the law is no excuse,” or “Ignorance to the law…”?
Is there some basic all-purpose rule for these damn things?
In American usage, toward and regard are preferred. My sources say that towards is British usage and regards has some special uses - give my best regards to - but is not interchangeable. Both forms are used in casual writing, though.
I’ve never heard “ignorance to the law” and can’t imagine why anyone would think it’s correct.
In AP style, it’s “toward.” Also forward, backward, etc. No s. And it’s definitely “ignorance of the law,” the other phrase doesn’t make sense.
Yes. That’s also because AP Style prefers shorter forms (saves space and all, ya know.) Both are acceptable. (I do prefer the ess-less forms, though.)
And while we’re at it let’s remind the folks that it’s anyway. Not anyways.
I think the preference for toward in the United States goes back further than the AP’s edict. Every magazine I’ve copyedited at (all in the U.S.) has preferred toward, and most of them followed a style guide other than AP’s (Words Into Type or The Chicago Manual, neither of which comment on this issue). Also, most American dictionaries list toward as the preferred spelling.
Also note, it’s upwards of, not upward.