The difference between forward vs. forwards can seem confusing because both words may describe movement toward the front. However, they are not always interchangeable. Forward has several grammatical roles, while forwards has fewer uses.
In American English, writers usually prefer forward as the directional adverb. Meanwhile, British English accepts both forward and forwards, especially when describing physical movement.
The safest rule is simple: use forward before a noun, when sending something, and in phrases such as look forward to. Use forwards mainly as a directional adverb in British English or as the plural noun for attacking players in sports.
Quick Answer: Should You Use Forward or Forwards?
Both forward and forwards can be correct when they describe movement toward the front.
- She stepped forward.
- She stepped forwards.
The first sentence is standard in both American and British English. The second is more common in British English.
However, only forward can normally work as an adjective:
- Correct: a forward movement
- Incorrect: a forwards movement
Similarly, use forward as a verb when you send an email, message, letter, or document:
- Please forward the email to your manager.
In American writing, forward is usually the best choice when you are unsure.
Forward vs. Forwards at a Glance
| Form | Grammar role | Main meaning | American English | British English | Example |
| forward | Adverb | Toward the front or ahead | Preferred | Standard | Move forward slowly. |
| forwards | Adverb | Toward the front or ahead | Less common | Common | He leaned forwards. |
| forward | Adjective | Located toward the front | Standard | Standard | The forward section was full. |
| forward | Verb | Send something onward | Standard | Standard | Forward the message to me. |
| forward | Noun | An attacking player | Standard | Standard | She plays as a forward. |
| forwards | Plural noun | More than one attacking player | Standard | Standard | The team signed two forwards. |
| forwards | Verb form | Third-person form of “forward” | Standard | Standard | He forwards every request. |
The most important point is that forwards is not simply an alternative spelling in every situation. Its correctness depends on its grammar role.
What Does Forward Mean?
The basic meaning of forward relates to the front, the future, or further progress. However, the word can work as an adverb, adjective, verb, or noun.
Its exact meaning depends on where it appears in the sentence.
Forward as an Adverb
As an adverb, forward describes movement or direction. It tells you where or how something moves.
Examples include:
- Please step forward.
- She leaned forward to hear him.
- The line moved forward slowly.
- We need to move forward with the plan.
- The car rolled forward a few feet.
In the first three examples, the movement is physical. In the fourth example, forward describes progress rather than literal direction.
American English strongly favors this form.
Forward as an Adjective
As an adjective, forward describes a noun. It often means located near the front, directed toward the front, or related to future progress.
Examples include:
- the forward section of the aircraft
- a forward movement
- a forward position
- forward planning
- a forward-looking company
- the forward wheels
Only forward works in these examples. You cannot normally add an -s when the word comes before a noun.
Correct:
- The team made a forward move.
Incorrect:
- The team made a forwards move.
This is one of the clearest differences between the two forms.
Forward as a Verb
As a verb, forward means to send something to another person, address, department, or destination.
It commonly appears in email and business communication.
- Please forward the invoice to accounting.
- I forwarded your message to the support team.
- The post office forwarded our mail.
- She will forward the documents tomorrow.
- Can you forward the call to my office?
The main verb forms are:
| Verb form | Example |
| forward | Please forward the email. |
| forwards | He forwards the reports every Friday. |
| forwarded | I forwarded the attachment yesterday. |
| forwarding | She is forwarding the request now. |
Notice that forwards can be correct here. It is the third-person singular form of the verb.
For example:
- She forwards every complaint to the manager.
In this sentence, forwards does not describe direction. It is an action verb.
Forward as a Noun
As a noun, forward often refers to an attacking player in sports.
- She is the team’s best forward.
- The coach moved him to forward.
- The basketball forward scored 24 points.
The plural form is forwards:
- The club signed two new forwards.
- Both forwards played well.
This noun use appears in sports such as soccer, basketball, rugby, and hockey.
What Does Forwards Mean?
As a directional adverb, forwards means toward the front or in the direction someone or something is facing.
Examples include:
- He fell forwards.
- The vehicle moved forwards.
- She bent forwards to pick up the bag.
- Take two steps forwards.
These sentences are especially natural in British English.
In most cases, replacing forwards with forward does not change the core meaning:
- He fell forward.
- He fell forwards.
Both describe the same movement. The main difference is regional preference and style.
However, forwards cannot freely replace forward in every grammatical position.
The Key Differences Between Forward and Forwards
The two words overlap as directional adverbs, but they differ in grammar, regional preference, and sentence position.
Difference in Grammatical Function
Forward has four major roles:
- Adverb
- Adjective
- Verb
- Noun
Forwards usually has three possible roles:
- Directional adverb
- Third-person singular verb
- Plural noun
Compare:
- Adverb: The dog moved forward.
- Adjective: The forward door is locked.
- Verb: Forward the message to me.
- Noun: He is a talented forward.
Now compare the uses of forwards:
- Adverb: The dog moved forwards.
- Verb: She forwards every message.
- Plural noun: The forwards trained separately.
Difference in Regional Preference
In American English, writers usually use forward as the adverb.
- The child stepped forward.
- The car moved forward.
- He leaned forward.
In British English, both forms are standard, though forwards is common when describing physical movement.
- The child stepped forwards.
- The car moved forwards.
- He leaned forwards.
British writers still use forward in many fixed expressions and non-adverb roles.
Difference Before a Noun
When the word directly describes a noun, use forward.
Correct:
- forward motion
- forward planning
- forward controls
- forward position
- forward progress
Incorrect:
- forwards motion
- forwards planning
- forwards controls
The reason is simple: forward is the adjective form. Forwards does not normally function as an adjective.
Forward vs. Forwards in American English
American English prefers forward in almost every directional context.
Common examples include:
- Move forward carefully.
- Lean forward in your chair.
- We are moving forward with the project.
- The negotiations moved forward.
- I look forward to your reply.
An American reader will understand forwards, but the form may sound British or unusual.
Therefore, use forward when writing for:
- A US audience
- American schools
- US-based businesses
- American websites
- Professional emails in the United States
- US academic publications
Consistency matters. If the rest of your content follows American spelling, forward is the natural choice.
Forward vs. Forwards in British English
British English allows both forward and forwards as adverbs.
However, forwards is especially common with physical movements:
- She bent forwards.
- He took three steps forwards.
- The chair tipped forwards.
- The train moved forwards slowly.
British speakers also use forward, particularly in fixed phrases, formal writing, and figurative expressions:
- We need to move forward.
- I look forward to seeing you.
- They have presented a forward plan.
- Please forward the email.
Even in British English, you cannot use forwards as a direct replacement for every use of forward.
How Sentence Position Changes the Correct Form
The word’s position can reveal its grammar role.
Before a Noun
Use forward when it comes before a noun and describes it.
- a forward step
- a forward pass
- forward planning
- the forward cabin
- a forward-thinking leader
Here, forward is an adjective.
After a Movement Verb
After verbs such as walk, step, lean, bend, or move, either adverb may work.
- She walked forward.
- She walked forwards.
The first form suits both American and British English. The second is more strongly associated with British English.
As the Main Action
Use forward as a verb when the action involves sending something.
- I will forward the document.
- Please forward my request.
- They forwarded the package.
In the simple present tense, forwards is correct with a third-person singular subject:
- He forwards the report every week.
- The assistant forwards all calls.
This use is different from the directional adverb.
Common Expressions With Forward
Several expressions strongly prefer or require forward.
Look Forward To
The standard expression is look forward to.
It means to feel pleased or excited about something that will happen in the future.
- I look forward to your response.
- We look forward to working with you.
- She looks forward to the weekend.
- They are looking forward to visiting New York.
In this expression, to is a preposition. Therefore, you should place a noun, pronoun, or -ing verb after it.
Correct:
- I look forward to meeting you.
- I look forward to the meeting.
Incorrect:
- I look forward to meet you.
Although look forwards to occasionally appears in informal regional speech, look forward to is the standard form in edited English.
Move Forward
Move forward can describe physical movement or progress.
Physical:
- The line moved forward.
- Please move forward one step.
Figurative:
- The company is ready to move forward.
- We cannot move forward without approval.
- The team moved forward with the proposal.
In British English, move forwards may sound natural for physical direction. However, move forward is more common when discussing progress.
Bring Forward
Bring forward has two common meanings.
It can mean moving an event to an earlier time:
- They brought the meeting forward to Monday.
It can also mean presenting an idea, proposal, or evidence:
- The committee brought forward a new plan.
- No one brought forward any evidence.
Put Forward
Put forward means to suggest, propose, or nominate.
- She put forward a useful solution.
- The group put him forward for the award.
- Several ideas were put forward.
From This Point Forward
This expression means from now into the future.
- From this point forward, all requests must be written.
- The new policy applies from July forward.
The standard form is forward, not forwards.
Going Forward
In business English, going forward means from now on or in the future.
- Going forward, the company will review expenses monthly.
- We need clearer communication going forward.
The phrase is common, though it can sound vague when overused. In some cases, from now on is more direct.
Literal Direction and Figurative Progress
The word forward often shifts between a physical and abstract meaning.
Physical Movement
These examples describe literal direction:
- The bicycle rolled forward.
- He leaned forwards to read the screen.
- The passenger stepped forward.
- The box slid forwards.
Regional preference affects whether forward or forwards sounds more natural.
Progress and Development
In figurative use, forward suggests improvement, progress, or continued action.
- The project is moving forward.
- We need a clear path forward.
- The discussion moved forward after the break.
- Her career took a major step forward.
In these expressions, forward is much more common than forwards, even in many forms of British professional writing.
Future Time
Forward can also point toward the future:
- from that day forward
- looking forward
- going forward
- a forward-looking strategy
These phrases focus on future events, plans, or expectations rather than physical direction.
Forward and Forwards in Real-Life Writing
In Emails
The word appears in two common email situations.
First, it can be a verb:
- Please forward the email to the finance department.
- I’ve forwarded the attachment to Sarah.
Second, it appears in the polite closing phrase look forward to:
- I look forward to hearing from you.
- We look forward to your response.
Avoid these mistakes:
- Incorrect: Please forwards the email.
- Correct: Please forward the email.
- Less standard: I look forwards to your reply.
- Standard: I look forward to your reply.
In Business Writing
Professional writing strongly favors forward.
Common phrases include:
- moving forward
- forward planning
- path forward
- forward-looking strategy
- forward guidance
- take the proposal forward
Examples:
- The management team approved a path forward.
- Our forward planning reduced delays.
- The company adopted a forward-looking strategy.
Because forward works across more grammatical roles, it also helps maintain consistency.
In Academic Writing
Both forms may be grammatical, but regional style matters.
An American paper will usually use:
- The participant leaned forward.
A British paper may use:
- The participant leaned forwards.
However, both varieties use:
- forward movement
- forward planning
- to forward the document
Writers should follow the spelling and grammar style required by their school, university, journal, or publisher.
In Conversation
American speakers generally say:
- Move forward.
- Take one step forward.
British speakers may naturally say:
- Move forwards.
- Take one step forwards.
Neither version is wrong when used as a directional adverb. The difference is mostly regional.
In Sports
As a noun, forward names an attacking position.
- She plays forward for her college team.
- The forward scored the winning goal.
The plural is forwards:
- The coach selected three forwards.
In basketball, small forward and power forward are specific positions. In soccer and hockey, forwards generally focus on attacking and scoring.
Common Mistakes With Forward and Forwards
Using Forwards Before a Noun
Incorrect:
- a forwards movement
- a forwards plan
- the forwards section
Correct:
- a forward movement
- a forward plan
- the forward section
Use forward because the word is acting as an adjective.
Writing “Look Forwards To”
In standard professional and edited English, use look forward to.
Less standard:
- I look forwards to your reply.
Preferred:
- I look forward to your reply.
The version without -s is accepted across regional varieties.
Confusing the Adverb With the Verb
Compare these sentences:
- He moved forward.
- He forwarded the message.
In the first, forward describes the direction of movement. In the second, forwarded means sent onward.
Assuming Forwards Is Always Wrong
Forwards is a valid word.
It can be:
- A British directional adverb: She stepped forwards.
- A plural sports noun: The team needs two forwards.
- A verb form: He forwards all requests.
The mistake is using it where only forward can work.
Mixing Regional Styles
A sentence may still be grammatical when styles are mixed, but inconsistent choices can distract readers.
For example, a document that uses American spelling such as color and organize will usually sound more consistent with forward.
A British document using colour and organise may naturally use forwards for physical movement.
A Practical Workplace Example
Consider this email:
I look forwards to receiving the report. When it arrives, please forwards it to the legal team so we can move forwards with the review.
The intended meaning is clear, but two forms need correction.
A cleaner version is:
I look forward to receiving the report. When it arrives, please forward it to the legal team so we can move forward with the review.
Here is why:
| Original form | Better form | Reason |
| look forwards to | look forward to | Standard fixed expression |
| please forwards it | please forward it | The base verb follows “please” |
| move forwards | move forward | Preferred for figurative progress |
This example shows why grammar role matters more than simply choosing the form that sounds familiar.
Similar Directional Word Pairs
The difference between forward and forwards follows a wider pattern.
Backward vs. Backwards
American English often prefers backward as the adverb.
- American: He stepped backward.
- British: He stepped backwards.
Before a noun, use backward:
- a backward step
- Not: a backwards step
Toward vs. Towards
American English usually favors toward:
- She walked toward the door.
British English often favors towards:
- She walked towards the door.
Both forms are standard.
Upward vs. Upwards
Both can work as adverbs, depending on regional style.
- The balloon moved upward.
- The balloon moved upwards.
Before a noun, use upward:
- an upward trend
Onward vs. Onwards
Both forms can describe continued movement or progress.
- The group traveled onward.
- The group traveled onwards.
American English generally favors the form without -s, while British English is more open to the -s form.
Synonyms and Alternatives
The best replacement depends on the meaning of the sentence.
Alternatives for Physical Direction
Possible alternatives include:
- ahead
- onward
- toward the front
- in front
- straight ahead
Example:
- She moved forward.
- She moved ahead.
Alternatives for Progress
Possible alternatives include:
- advance
- progress
- continue
- proceed
- develop
- make progress
Example:
- The project is moving forward.
- The project is progressing.
Alternatives for Forward as a Verb
Possible alternatives include:
- send
- redirect
- transfer
- pass along
- relay
Example:
- Please forward the message.
- Please send the message to the manager.
Choose the alternative that best fits the context. For example, redirect often suits calls or website traffic, while relay suits information.
Easy Memory Tricks
You can remember the difference with a few simple rules.
Use Forward for American English
For US writing, choose forward when describing direction.
- step forward
- move forward
- lean forward
Remove the S Before a Noun
If the word describes a noun, use forward.
- forward movement
- forward position
- forward plan
Use Forward When Sending Something
When the meaning is “send onward,” use the verb forward.
- forward an email
- forward a call
- forward a package
Keep “Look Forward To” as a Complete Phrase
Memorize the expression as one unit:
- look forward to
This prevents the common error look forwards to.
Check Whether Forwards Is a Verb or Plural Noun
Sometimes forwards is correct for a different reason.
- She forwards the emails.
Third-person singular verb. - The forwards scored twice.
Plural sports noun.
Quick Grammar Test
Ask these questions before choosing the word:
- Does it describe a noun? Use forward.
- Does it mean to send something? Use forward.
- Is it part of look forward to? Use forward.
- Does it describe physical direction? Both may work, but regional style matters.
- Are you writing for a US audience? Prefer forward.
- Does it refer to several attacking players? Use forwards.
- Is the subject he, she, or it and the word means “sends”? Forwards may be the correct verb.
Practice: Choose Forward or Forwards
Fill each blank with the best form.
- Please step ______ and state your name.
- Can you ______ this email to the support team?
- The child fell ______ onto the carpet.
- We look ______ to meeting you.
- The club signed two new ______.
- She ______ every invoice to accounting.
- The company developed a ______ plan.
- We need to move ______ with the project.
Answers
- forward
- forward
- forward or forwards, depending on regional style
- forward
- forwards
- forwards
- forward
- forward
Conclusion
The difference between forward vs forwards depends on grammar and regional style. Forward is the preferred form in American English and works as an adverb, adjective, verb, or noun. Forwards is mainly used as a directional adverb in British English.
Use forward before a noun, when sending an email or message, and in fixed phrases such as look forward to. When you’re unsure, forward is usually the safest choice because it is accepted in both American and British English.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1:Are forward and forwards both correct?
Yes, both words can be correct. Forward is more common in American English, while forwards is often used as a directional adverb in British English.
Q2:Is it move forward or move forwards?
Both forms may describe movement. Move forward is preferred in American English, while move forwards is common in British English.
Q3:Is it look forward to or look forwards to?
The standard expression is look forward to.
Correct:
- I look forward to your reply.
- We look forward to meeting you.
Q4:Can forwards be used before a noun?
No. Use forward before a noun because it works as an adjective.
Correct:
- a forward step
- forward movement
Incorrect:
- a forwards step
Q5:What does forward mean in an email?
As a verb, forward means to send an email or message to another person.
Example:
- Please forward the email to your manager.