Master confusing words with ease
Westward vs. Westwards
Westward
/ˈwestwəd/Examples:
The birds migrated westward, seeking warmth.The caravan moved steadily westward into the sunset.The pioneers bravely forged a path westward.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Westwards
/ˈwestwəd/Examples:
The train rolled westwards, chasing the setting sun.The explorers journeyed westwards into unknown lands.Her gaze was fixed westwards towards the distant mountains.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- The word westward without the s can function as an adjective or adverb.
- Westwards specifically functions as an adverb and is used in British English more frequently.
- Think of westward like northward, where both are often just directional adjectives or adverbs in that context.
- Though they can often be interchanged, westward might align more with American English usage.
- Consider westward as aligning directionally with compass points, which are often singular, while westwards can feel more like movement or direction with an extra s to push it forward.
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