forwards

forward, forwards

1. For the adjective, the correct form in standard English is forward:

• It has four forward gears and reverse controlled by a speed-sensing governor —Daily Telegraph, 1971

• Already clouds of steam were rising, obscuring the forward view —D. Rutherford, 1990

• The aggressor's own forward momentum even strengthens the force of the counter-blow against him —P. Lewis, 1991.

In addition to its directional meanings, forward has the meaning ‘bold in manner, precocious’:

• Any child who requested a book by title he at once designated as ‘forward’ or ‘lippy’ —R. Roberts, 1971.

2. For the adverb, choice between the two forms is even less clear-cut than in the case with backward and backwards. The OED (in 1897) attempted to distinguish forward as having a meaning that ‘expresses a definite direction viewed in contrast with other directions’, but doubts about this were expressed already by Fowler (1926, but evidently writing in about 1917). In some fixed expressions forward is either preferred or obligatory: backwards and forwards (preferred), come forward (obligatory), look forward (to; obligatory), put forward (= propose; obligatory). In some other meanings there is a preference for forward: ‘to the front, into prominence’

• (Hugh stepped forward. ‘It's me, don't be frightened.’ —Mary Wesley, 1983

• Her mind refused to bring any such memory forward —E. Jolley, AusE 1985

• Then Nigel Carew drew his sabre and thrust it into the hand of his youthful son and pushed him forward —T. Hayden, 1991

• A dozen parties came forward, but the best deal was from a consortium —Sunday Times, 2004)

‘in advance, ahead’

• (Civilian volunteers from the town carried sacks of grenades forward to the men in action —J. Ladd, 1979)

‘onward so as to make progress’

• (Rossi expressed surprise that the Commission was ‘apparently no further forward than in 1984’ —C. Rose, 1990

• He had continually to be looking at his watch and calculating whether they were forward enough —G. E. Evans, 1993)

‘towards the future, continuously onwards’

• (The overall feeling is that the Jockey Club is genuinely concerned with helping the industry move forward —Independent, 1989).

3. The most common occurrence of forwards is in meanings denoting straightforward movement towards the front:

• A control stick adjusted the airflow from the fan, to make the craft hover or go forwards —Motoring Which?, 1970

• Certain single-celled organisms are propelled forwards in the water —New Scientist, 1971

• Then he leaned forwards and touched Colin's forearm —Ian McEwan, 1981

• It was Amelia who came forwards —K. Newman, 1990

• The opponent sees the opening and moves forwards to sweep or punch you —D. Mitchell, 1991.

In all these examples, however, forward would be at least as natural (except perhaps in the 1990 example, in which the use of forwards emphasizes the physical action not always present in the expression come forward); in general forward occurs significantly more often as an adverb than does forwards, both in BrE and in AmE.