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Dictionaries
Commonly Confused Words
Backward/Backwards
Master confusing words with ease
Preventative/Preventive
Comedian/Comedienne
Erasable/Irascible
Serigraph/Lithograph
Backward vs. Backwards
Backward
/ˈbækwəd/
In the reverse direction from what is usual or expected
Examples:
The software is compatible with
backward
systems.
He has a
backward
approach to modern problems.
She was held back by
backward
thinking policies.
Synonyms:
reverse
rearward
retreating
Antonyms:
forward
progressive
advanced
Backwards
/ˈbækwədz/
Learn more about synonyms and antonyms
In reverse or opposite direction.
Examples:
'Know her, Sir! why, she was always coming
backwards
and forwards.
"You got it
backwards
.
He suddenly threw himself
backwards
.
Synonyms:
rearward
reverse
Antonyms:
forwards
ahead
Learn more about synonyms and antonyms
Ways to tell them apart:
Backward
can be both an adjective and an adverb, while
backwards
is strictly an adverb.
Backward
is often used in American English, while
backwards
is more common in British English.
Remember that
forward
does not take an
s
, similar to the American use of
backward
.
Think of
backward
as equivalent to
forward
in style.
To check usage, replace with
forward/forwards
and see which version matches.
When to use backward:
When to use backwards:
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