Southward-Southwards | Commonly Confused Words
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Southward vs. Southwards

Southward

/ˈsaʊθwəd/
Moving or facing towards the lower part of the world or along a line towards the South Pole.

Examples:

Migrating birds travel southward in search of warmer climates.The river flows southward through the valley and into the ocean.We packed our bags and began our journey on the southward trail.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Southwards

/ˈsaʊθwədz/
Towards the direction where the sun is at its lowest point in the sky in the Northern Hemisphere

Examples:

The river flows southwards, carving through lush valleys.They decided to journey southwards in search of warmer climates.Migrating birds head southwards as winter begins to set in.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Southward can be used as both an adjective and an adverb, whereas southwards is typically used as an adverb.
  • Both words refer to direction or movement toward the south, but southward often appears in more formal contexts.
  • Remember, if youre unsure which to use, southward' might be seen as slightly more versatile due to its dual function.
  • When writing, consider southward for more formal or written language, while southwards is more common in spoken or informal contexts.
  • The choice between the two often comes down to the rhythm of the sentence and personal preference.
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