Hello, dear readers!
It seems that autumn is finally upon us; it’s time to get out your favorite soup recipe, some squash, or something involving pumpkin pie spices. As I hunt for something special to cook for Halloween, I haven’t found any recipes, but I’ve discovered bits and pieces of questions in my editing folders that are ripe for the picking.
Today’s topic is directional words.
What do I mean by directional words? In this case, I’m talking about adverbs: toward, forward, backward, etc. Some of the most popular questions I get from folks are: Which is appropriate? Forward or forwards? Backward or backwards?
Even though you will hear both used (“It’s towards Katie’s house.” “They went downward at the fork in the trail.” “She’s heading westward, towards the sun.”) the preferred spelling for these words in the United States is without the “s.” So to be safe in your writing, use:
· backward
· downward
· eastward
· inward
· northward
· outward
· toward
· Etc.
Kara Church
Technical Editor, Advisory
619-542-6773 | Ext: 766773
Symitar Documentation Services
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