Wacky Word Question: Is He Moving Backward or Backwards?

Keep the “wacky words” coming! Thanks to all of you who have been commenting and adding to our wacky-word conversation these past few months. Please continue to post your questions and share your examples. This week’s word choice winner is backward/backwards.

Our last two posts questioning toward/towards and regard/regards led to a related question this week: I’ve heard it both ways: Is it “backward” or “backwards”? 

We’ve all heard it both ways. But only one way is correct: backward.

It’s backward. No “s.” Never say backwards. 

Allow me to share a helpful gimmick to cement this rule in your mind. “If you can’t go forwards, then you can’t go backwards.” That’s a fun yet memorable trick for remembering not to put an “s” on those words. We don’t say forwards, so we shouldn’t say backwards. It’s forward and backward.

 

 

To customize a keynote or professional development session that will have your audience laughing and learning, contact Mandi Stanley.

Certified Speaking Professional Mandi Stanley works with business leaders who want to boost their professional image by becoming better speakers and writers through interactive high-content keynotes, breakout sessions, workshops, technical writing seminars, and fun proofreading classes. 

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