Forward vs Forwards: Which One Is Correct?

Forward and forwards are both correct in some cases, but they are not always interchangeable. “Forward” works as an adjective, adverb, noun, and verb. “Forwards” is an adverb in British English, the plural noun for players, and the verb form used with he, she, or it.

In American English, “forward” is the usual choice for direction. You step forward, look forward, and move forward. “Forwards” appears more often in British writing, but even there it is optional. Knowing which form fits which job will help you avoid the most common mistakes.

Quick Answer: When to Use Forward vs Forwards

Use this short guide first. The details follow below.

• Use “forward” as an adjective: a forward pass, forward motion.
• Use “forward” as an adverb in American English: move forward, lean forward.
• Use “forwards” as an adverb in British English, if you like: step forwards, lean forwards.
• Use “forwards” as a plural noun: the team’s forwards.
• Use “forwards” as a verb with he, she, or it: she forwards the email.

💡 Tip: If the word describes a noun, never add the s. You cannot write “a forwards motion.”

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Forward vs Forwards in Grammar

The two words share a root, but they do different jobs. Here is how each one works.

Form	Part of Speech	Example
Forward	Adjective	The forward section of the plane was damaged.
Forward	Adverb	The car moved forward.
Forward	Noun (singular)	He plays forward for the club.
Forward	Verb (base form)	Please forward this message to me.
Forwards	Adverb (mainly British)	She leaned forwards to listen.
Forwards	Noun (plural)	The forwards scored twice.
Forwards	Verb (third person singular)	He forwards every invoice to accounts.

Forward as an Adjective

As an adjective, “forward” means located at the front or moving toward the front. It can also mean looking ahead, as in “forward planning.” It can even describe a bold manner, as in “a forward remark.”

The adjective form never takes an s. Writing “forwards planning” is incorrect in both American and British English.

Forward and Forwards as Adverbs

This is where most of the confusion comes from. As an adverb, both words mean toward the front or toward the future. Major dictionaries treat “forwards” as a variant of “forward” in this role.

• In American English, “forward” is standard. “Forwards” is rare and can look odd.
• In British English, both appear. “Forwards” is common when the direction is physical, such as “step forwards.”

Forward as a Noun

In sports, a forward is a player in an attacking position. The plural is “forwards.” This is the same in soccer, hockey, rugby, and basketball.

• Singular: “She is the team’s best forward.”
• Plural: “Both forwards missed the first half.”

Forward as a Verb

To forward something means to send it on to another person or place. The word is common with emails, calls, and mail.

• “I will forward the file today.”
• “She forwards every complaint to the manager.”

⚠️ Common mistake: People sometimes write “he forward the email.” The third person singular needs the s: “he forwards the email.”

Forward vs Forwards in American English

American English prefers the shorter form. In most everyday writing, “forward” is the safer choice. It is also the form that style guides tend to recommend for the adverb.

Phrase	Usual American Form
Step ___	Step forward
Lean ___	Lean forward
Look ___ to it	Look forward to it
Moving ___	Moving forward
Fast ___	Fast forward

The same pattern applies to related words. Americans usually write “backward,” “toward,” and “afterward.” British writers more often use “backwards,” “towards,” and “afterwards.”

Forward vs Forwards in British English

British English accepts both forms as adverbs. “Forwards” is especially natural when someone describes physical movement. It also pairs neatly with “backwards.”

• “He fell forwards onto the grass.”
• “Rock the chair forwards and backwards.”

Even so, “forward” is still correct in British writing. Many British speakers use it in fixed phrases such as “look forward to” and “going forward.”

📝 Note: Neither form is wrong in the UK. The choice is mostly about style and sound.

Looking Forward vs Looking Forwards

The standard phrase is “look forward to.” It means to wait for something with pleasure.

• ✅ “I look forward to meeting you.”
• ✅ “We are looking forward to the trip.”

You may sometimes see “looking forwards.” It is uncommon and can feel unnatural. Because this is a fixed expression, stick with “forward.”

Remember that “to” is followed by a noun or an “ing” word. Write “I look forward to hearing from you,” not “I look forward to hear from you.”

Moving Forward vs Going Forward

Both phrases mean “from now on” or “in the future.” They are common in business writing.

• “Moving forward, we will review the budget monthly.”
• “Going forward, please send reports by Friday.”

“Forward” is the standard form here. “Forwards” is rare in these phrases. Some readers feel “going forward” is overused office language. In formal writing, “from now on” or “in future” can sound cleaner.

Step Forward vs Step Forwards

Both are possible, but they are not equally common.

• American English: “Please step forward.”
• British English: “Please step forward” or “step forwards.”

When “step forward” means to volunteer, the word is almost always “forward.” For example: “Several witnesses stepped forward.”

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Forward and Backward vs Forwards and Backwards

The pair usually matches in form. If you choose one, use the same style for the other.

Style	Example
American	Move forward and backward.
British	Move forwards and backwards.

Mixing the two styles in one sentence looks careless. Pick one and stay consistent.

Forward Mail, Forward Emails, and Forward Calls

Here “forward” is a verb. It means to send something on to a new destination.

• Forward an email: You send a received message to someone else.
• Forward calls: Your phone sends incoming calls to another number.
• Forward mail: The postal service sends your mail to a new address. In the United States, USPS offers a mail forwarding service when you move.

The base form is “forward.” The third person form is “forwards.” The past tense is “forwarded.”

Tense	Example
Present	I forward messages every morning.
Third person	She forwards messages every morning.
Past	He forwarded the message yesterday.
Continuing	They are forwarding the calls.

Forwards in Sports

In sports, “forwards” is the plural noun for attacking players. Different sports use the word differently.

Sport	Meaning
Basketball	Players at the power forward and small forward positions
Soccer	Attackers who play near the opponent’s goal
Hockey	Wingers and centers who play in the attacking positions
Rugby	The eight players in the scrum

Power Forward vs Small Forward

In basketball, these are two different positions.

• Power forward: Usually a strong player who works near the basket. Rebounding and inside scoring are central to the role.
• Small forward: Usually a versatile player who scores from many areas. Many small forwards are good at cutting, driving, and shooting.

When you write about several players, use “forwards.” For example: “The league’s best power forwards are hard to guard.” The singular is “forward,” as in “a power forward.”

Forwards in Finance

In finance, a forward contract is an agreement to buy or sell something at a set price on a future date. The plural is “forward contracts,” or simply “forwards.”

A non deliverable forward, often called an NDF, is a forward contract that is settled in cash. No physical exchange of the currency takes place. The difference between the agreed rate and the market rate is paid instead.

• Singular: “The company entered into a forward.”
• Plural: “Banks trade forwards every day.”

Spring Forward and Daylight Saving Time

“Spring forward” is a memory phrase for daylight saving time. In the spring, clocks move ahead by one hour. In the fall, they move back by one hour. The full phrase is “spring forward, fall back.”

The form is always “forward,” never “forwards.” In the United States, daylight saving time started on Sunday, March 8, 2026. It ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when clocks fall back.

Other Common Phrases With Forward

Many people search for these phrases. Here is what each one means.

Phrase	Meaning
Pay it forward	Repay a kindness by helping someone else
Fast forward	Move quickly ahead, as in a video or a story
Forward slash	The “/” symbol, used in web addresses
Great Leap Forward	A campaign in China from 1958 to 1962
Forward helix piercing	An ear piercing in the upper cartilage near the face
Forward deployed engineer	A technical role that works directly with customers on site
Carry forward	Move an amount to the next period in accounting

Each of these phrases uses “forward,” not “forwards.”

How to Pronounce Forward and Forwards

Word	American	British
Forward	/ˈfɔːrwərd/	/ˈfɔːwəd/
Forwards	/ˈfɔːrwərdz/	/ˈfɔːwədz/

• Stress the first syllable: FOR-ward.
• The ending sounds like “werd,” not “word.”
• “Forwards” adds a “z” sound at the end.

Origin of Forward and Forwards

“Forward” comes from Old English forweard. It joins “fore,” meaning in front, with “ward,” a suffix meaning direction. So the word literally means “toward the front.”

The s in “forwards” is an old adverb ending. The same ending appears in words such as “towards,” “backwards,” and “afterwards.” Over time, English speakers used both forms. American English later leaned toward the shorter version, while British English kept both.

Common Mistakes With Forward and Forwards

Mistake 1: Adding s to the adjective

• ❌ Incorrect: We need forwards planning.
• ✅ Correct: We need forward planning.

Mistake 2: Forgetting the s on the verb

• ❌ Incorrect: She forward every email to me.
• ✅ Correct: She forwards every email to me.

Mistake 3: Using “forward” for several players

• ❌ Incorrect: The two forward scored.
• ✅ Correct: The two forwards scored.

Mistake 4: Mixing styles in one sentence

• ❌ Incorrect: Move forward and backwards.
• ✅ Correct: Move forward and backward, or forwards and backwards.

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Similar and Related Words

Word	Meaning	Difference
Ahead	In front or in advance	Often about position or time, not direction of movement
Onward	Continuing to move ahead	Suggests progress along a path
Toward	In the direction of	Needs a target, such as “toward the door”
Forth	Out or onward	Mostly used in fixed phrases such as “back and forth”
Backward	Toward the rear	Opposite of forward

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it forward or forwards?

Both can be correct. Use “forward” as an adjective and for most American writing. Use “forwards” for plural players and the verb with he, she, or it.

Is it “looking forward” or “looking forwards”?

“Looking forward” is the standard form. The phrase “look forward to” is fixed.

Is “forwards” correct in American English?

It is understood, but it is less common. Most American writers use “forward” for direction.

Is “forward” a noun or a verb?

It is both, and it is also an adjective and an adverb. The part of speech depends on the sentence.

Is it “moving forward” or “moving forwards”?

Use “moving forward.” That is the common form in the United States and in business writing in the UK.

What does “spring forward” mean?

It means turning clocks one hour ahead at the start of daylight saving time. It is a reminder for the spring clock change.

How do you forward an email?

Open the message, select the forward option, add a recipient, and send. The word “forward” here is a verb.

What is the plural of forward?

The plural noun is “forwards.” For example: “The team has three strong forwards.”

What is the difference between a power forward and a small forward?

A power forward usually plays near the basket and rebounds. A small forward is usually more versatile and often scores from the wing.

Conclusion

“Forward” is the safer and more common form. It works as an adjective, an adverb, a noun, and a verb. “Forwards” is mainly an adverb in British English, the plural noun for players, and the verb form for he, she, or it. In the forward vs forwards question, the part of speech usually decides the answer.

If you write for an American audience, use “forward” for direction and fixed phrases such as “look forward to” and “moving forward.” If you write for a British audience, you may use “forwards” in physical movement, but you do not have to. Remember the simple rule: if the word describes a noun, keep it as “forward.”