TOWARDS

Definition of TOWARDS

TOWARDS Preposition and Adverb

Towards serves as both a preposition and an adverb, indicating direction or movement in the direction of something or someone.

TOWARDS as a preposition

As a preposition, towards signifies movement, orientation, or focus directed to a specific point, destination, goal, or target. For example, “She walked towards the park,” suggests movement in the direction of the park. Similarly, “He showed kindness towards his neighbors,” denotes a positive attitude or behavior directed to his neighbors.

TOWARDS as an adverb

As an adverb, towards modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the direction or orientation of an action, movement, or state. For instance, “The team moved towards victory,” describes the direction of the team’s movement. Similarly, “She leaned towards the truth,” conveys the inclination or tendency towards truthfulness.

Spatial Direction and Orientation: Towards is commonly used to indicate physical movement or orientation in space, whether literal or metaphorical. It conveys the idea of proceeding in a particular direction or aligning one’s actions, intentions, or attitudes with a specific objective or destination.

Temporal Connotations: In addition to spatial direction, towards can also convey temporal connotations, suggesting progression or movement in time towards a future event, outcome, or state. For instance, “They are working towards a deadline,” implies effort or activity aimed at achieving a particular goal within a specified timeframe.

Figurative and Metaphorical Usage: Beyond its literal spatial and temporal meanings, towards is often employed in figurative or metaphorical contexts to express attitudes, sentiments, or inclinations directed to a person, idea, or cause. For example, “Her attitude towards the project changed,” suggests a shift in perspective or mindset regarding the project.

Variations and Regional Differences: While towards is widely accepted and understood in many English-speaking regions, variations such as “toward” (without the final “s”) are also used, particularly in American English. Both forms convey the same directional meaning, with “toward” being more prevalent in American usage.

In conclusion, towards serves as both a preposition and an adverb, indicating direction or movement in the direction of something or someone. Whether denoting physical movement in space, temporal progression towards a future event, or figurative attitudes or inclinations directed to a person or cause, towards facilitates communication of directionality, intentionality, and orientation in both literal and metaphorical contexts.