Backwards or Backward?

Do you move "backwards," or "backward"? 🤔 The fine points of the English language can often be tricky. See if you know.

What's the correct way to write the adverb that means "to move in the direction of the back or rear," in American English?

1. backwards

2. backward

3. Depends on the use

4. Option 1 and 2 equally correct

And the correct answer is . . . “backward.” In American English, the predominant and preferred usage for directional words like “onward,” “toward,” and “upward” is the “-ward” form rather the “-wards” form, according to Garner’s Modern English Usage. “Backwards,” when used as an adverb, has arisen as a small exception to this practice in American English, especially orally, and is listed as a variant spelling in many dictionaries, such as the American Heritage Dictionary. In 2012, in fact, 72% of this dictionary's usage panel accepted “backwards.” However, “backward” is still by far the most common and accepted form for the adverb. And when used as an adjective, as in “This is a technologically backward city that has no running water,” “backward” is the only correct form. Now that we know, let’s all move forward together with this new understanding.