Backward vs Backwards: British vs American English

I bet you $100 you can’t tell me the difference between these two words without Googling it.

• Backward.
• Backwards.

Most people think they are interchangeable.And most people would lose that $100. 

That tiny, silent ‘s’ at the end is a border control agent that separates American English from British English, and adjectives from adverbs.

In this blog, we are going to cover everything you need to know the difference between these backward or backwards.

We will break down the regional rules, the grammar secrets, and the common mistakes that trip up even professional writers. 

By the end, you will know exactly is it backward or backwards. No Google required.

Let’s dive in.

---

Key Takeaways

• Backward (without ‘s’) functions as both an adjective and adverb in American English.

• Backwards (with ‘s’) is primarily used as an adverb in British English.

• As an adjective, only “backward” is correct in both American and British English.

• As an adverb, both forms are technically correct, but regional preference matters.

• American English strongly prefers “backward” (almost 3x more common).

• British English strongly prefers “backwards” (~1.7x more common as an adverb).

• When in doubt, use “backward” – it’s universally accepted.

---

What Is the Difference Between Backward vs Backwards?

The difference between backward or backwards can be confusing because it depends on two things: grammar and geography.

Here’s the simple rule for understanding is it backward or backwards:

• Backward is an adjective (describing a noun) and an adverb (in US English).
• Backwards is strictly an adverb (describing an action), primarily in British English.

Feature	Backward	Backwards
Spelling	No s	With s
Part of Speech	Adjective and Adverb	Adverb only
Preferred Usage	American English	British / Canadian / Australian English
Pronunciation	/ˈbæk.wərd/	/ˈbækwədz/
Meaning	Back direction; reverse; regressive; underdeveloped	Reverse direction; less advanced state
Adjective Use	Allowed (e.g., backward glance)	Not allowed
Adverb Use	(e.g., rolled backward)	(e.g., walked backwards)
Movement Context	Standard in US	Standard outside US

• Understanding Between the Two

The confusion around backwards or backward stems from a mix of history, geography, and a specific quirk of American linguistic efficiency. Here’s why the line between the two is so blurry.

The biggest reason for the split is the American tendency toward linguistic streamlining. 

Just as Americans simplified “colour” to “color” to save ink and time, they have effectively “lopped off” the ‘s’ from directional adverbs.

Grammar flexibility adds another layer of uncertainty when deciding when to use backward or backwards:

• “Backward” is a shape-shifter. In American English, it comfortably functions as both an adjective (a backward glance) and an adverb (moving backward).
• “Backwards” is rigid. It is strictly an adverb.

Since “backward” works in almost every situation in the US, it is easy to forget that “backwards” exists at all. 

Or conversely, to use “backwards” as an adjective (which is incorrect).

When to Use Backward

1. As an Adjective (ALWAYS)

Whenever you are describing a noun (a look, a step, a policy), you must use “backward” without the ‘s’. This rule applies to both American and British English.

Used to describe the physical direction of a noun. 

• She gave him a backward glance before leaving.
• The backward movement of the pendulum was mesmerizing.

Used to describe a lack of progress or a return to a worse state.

• The administration’s backward policies will undo years of progress.
• Many were concerned about the backward steps the community was taking.

Common in tech to describe systems that work with older versions.

• The Xbox One features backward compatibility with older games.
• This software has backward compatibility with previous versions.

The use of “backward” to describe people with learning difficulties is dated, offensive, and should be avoided entirely.

2. As an Adverb (American English Preference)

In the United States, “backward” is the standard adverb for describing movement or action.

Physical Movement

• She slowly walked backward away from the grouchy lion.
• The car moved backward down the slope.

Temporal Direction

• The narrative moves backward and forward in time.
• A journey backward through history reveals fascinating patterns.

Reverse Order or Process

• Count backward from 100 to zero.
• The clock appears to run backward in the mirror.

Metaphorical Regression

• This legislation moves us backward on social progress.
• The company is sliding backward despite emergency measures.

When to Use Backwards

Backwards (with the ‘s’) is the standard adverb in British English. 

If you are writing for a UK, Australian, or international audience, this is your go-to word for describing movement.

Physical Movement and Direction

• The child stumbled backwards and almost fell.
• The horse suddenly reared and moved backwards.

Actions in Reverse

• The instructions seemed to be written backwards.
• She wrote her name backwards in her notebook.

Temporal and Metaphorical

• Wars and conflicts in the region have put education in a backwards motion.
• Looking backwards at history helps us understand the present.

Common Phrases and Idioms

• Bending over backwards (Idiom meaning to make an extreme effort).
• Backwards and forwards (Standard British phrase; Americans usually say “back and forth”).

Language often breaks its own rules in casual conversation. While “backwards” is primarily an adverb, you will hear it used differently in informal American speech.

However, navigating the line between casual slang (like a “backwards hat”) and proper formal grammar can be tricky. 

To avoid mixing up your American adjectives with your British adverbs, run your text through the Undetectable AI’s Grammar Checker.

It ensures all your examples are accurate, readable, and grammatically correct for the specific audience you are writing for.

Tips and Frequent Errors with Backward/Backwards

Here’s how to avoid the most common traps when deciding when to use backward or backwards.

1. The Adjective Trap 

Never add an ‘s’ when describing a noun. This is the most common grammatical error.

• INCORRECT: He took a backwards step.
• CORRECT: He took a backward step.

2. Inconsistency

Don’t mix your regional styles in a single document. It looks sloppy and confuses readers about whether to step backward or backwards.

• INCORRECT: He walked backwards (UK) but took a backward glance, then moved backward (US) again.
• CORRECT: He walked backward, took a backward glance, then moved backward again. (American Style)

3. The Technology Error

In software and engineering, specific terms are fixed regardless of region.

• INCORRECT: The system has backwards compatibility.
• CORRECT: The system has backward compatibility.

Catching these subtle “s” errors can be tedious, especially when checking for consistency across a long document.

To ensure your writing flows smoothly and adheres to the correct regional rules for when to use backward or backwards, run your text through the Undetectable AI’s Paragraph Rewriter. 

It polishes your sentences to make them concise, grammatically perfect, and easy to apply.

[Polish Your Writing for Clarity and Correctness]

Backward vs Backwards in Sentences

Examples of BACKWARD:

1. The tractor rolled backward down the hill after the brake failed.
2. She took a nervous backward step when she saw the snake.
3. The company’s backward approach to technology hurt its competitiveness.
4. He counted backward from fifty to calm his nerves before the presentation.
5. The player made a backward pass to his teammate during the game.
6. Scientists discovered the particles moving backward through time in the experiment.
7. Her backward glance revealed tears streaming down her face.
8. The economy took a significant step backward during the recession.
9. The new gaming console offers backward compatibility with older titles.
10. They walked backward slowly, never taking their eyes off the approaching bear.

Examples of BACKWARDS:

1. The magician amazed the audience by walking backwards down the stairs blindfolded.
2. If you spell ‘desserts’ backwards, you get ‘stressed’ – a fun coincidence!
3. The ants were dragging food backwards, periodically stopping to adjust their grip.
4. He fell backwards into the swimming pool with a huge splash.
5. Resuming peat extraction would be a huge step backwards for environmental protection.
6. The dancer moved backwards across the stage with incredible grace.
7. She glanced backwards nervously to see if anyone was following her home.
8. The car started rolling backwards down the steep driveway unexpectedly.
9. Learning to read backwards helped the dyslexic student develop new skills.
10. The policy represents a step backwards from the progress achieved last year.

Choosing between “backward or backwards” is just one part of writing well. 

Sometimes, focusing too hard on grammar rules can make your writing sound stiff, robotic, or overly complex for a global audience.

To ensure your explanation is clear, conversational, and easy to understand for readers anywhere in the world…

• Use Undetectable AI Detector to spot any artificial section.
• Use Undetectable AI Humanizer to smooth out the flow.

It adjusts your tone to sound like a helpful human guide rather than a rulebook.

Try out our AI Detector and Humanizer right below!

Final Thoughts

So, is it backward or backwards? 

By now, you know the answer isn’t black and white, it’s beautifully regional. 

Whether you confidently step backward like an American or gracefully move backwards like a Brit, you’re no longer stumbling in the grammatical dark.

Backward works everywhere, every time. 

Backwards suits specific contexts, but not universally compatible. 

Master the difference, respect your audience’s expectations, and that ‘s’ will become less of a stumbling block and more of a style choice.

The real trick?

Pick your lane (American or British), stick to it, and never let “backwards” sneak into an adjective slot.

Give your final draft a quick pass with Undetectable AI to keep your writing natural, polished, and confidently human.