What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
toward
Example
The car was driving toward the city center. [toward: preposition]
Example
She was working toward her degree in psychology. [toward: preposition]
Example
He felt a sense of goodwill toward his colleagues. [toward: preposition]
to
Example
I'm going to the store to buy some groceries. [to: preposition]
Example
She gave the gift to her best friend. [to: preposition]
Example
The key to success is hard work and dedication. [to: preposition]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
To is more commonly used than toward in everyday language. To is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while toward is less common and refers to a specific direction or attitude.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between toward and to?
Both toward and to can be used in formal and informal contexts, but toward may be perceived as slightly more formal due to its narrower range of usage and specific connotations.
