Master confusing words with ease
Southward vs. Southwards
Southward
/ˈsaʊθwəd/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/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:
- Southward ends in ward, suggesting a per-directional form like upward or inward, which orientations different directions.
- Southwards is simply southward with an s at the end, similar to how you add s at the end of toward to form towards, which can be interchangeable in English.
- Think of southward as more formal and potentially more common in American English, while southwards might be a bit more informal or used in British English.
- Associate southward as a more standalone directional adverb, like giving an order or instruction.
- Southwards can be used when you're describing a flowing or moving entity heading in that direction.
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