# Grammar/Word problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 14, 2005, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-word-problem/330930 "2005-11-14T02:53:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-word-problem/330930/1 "2005-11-14T02:53:14Z")
Does one go toward or towards something? When is each form of the word correct? The same with regard: Is it “In regard **s** 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? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-word-problem/330930/2 "2005-11-14T03:18:22Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-word-problem/330930/3 "2005-11-14T03:38:02Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-word-problem/330930/4 "2005-11-14T04:16:52Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > In AP style, it’s “toward.” 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.) ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-word-problem/330930/5 "2005-11-14T08:45:48Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > 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. And while we’re at it let’s remind the folks that it’s _anyway_. Not anyway **s**. ---
**Author:** ![TrivTriv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@TrivTriv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TrivTriv)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-word-problem/330930/6 "2005-11-14T16:14:14Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > 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.) 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_.