toward
toward — preposition
1. showing the direction that someone or something is moving, facing, or looking in
showing the direction that someone or something is moving, facing, or looking in — often without indicating that the destination is actually reached
The children ran toward the playground as soon as the bell rang.
toward + destination noun for physical direction
Emre walked toward the bookstore to see if his favourite novel had arrived.
walk toward + destination
A dark cloud moved slowly toward the town as the wind picked up.
Rachel turned her head toward the noise coming from the kitchen.
Femi pushed the chair back toward the table after he stood up.
- to
to implies reaching the destination; toward only indicates direction without guaranteeing arrival
- in the direction of
more formal and precise; often used in written instructions
- away from
opposite direction of movement
文法句型
toward + destination/person
verb + toward + noun phrase
用法筆記
Unlike to, toward does not imply that the destination was reached. You can drive toward a city all morning and still not arrive there.
常見錯誤
2. used to say how a person feels, thinks, or behaves in relation to someone or som
used to say how a person feels, thinks, or behaves in relation to someone or something
The manager has a very friendly attitude toward new employees.
attitude toward + person for relational meaning
Adina felt deep respect toward her grandmother, who had raised six children alone.
feeling + toward + person
Yan's behaviour toward his classmates has improved a lot this year.
Dr. Okafor showed remarkable patience toward the frightened child in the emergency room.
文法句型
feeling/attitude + toward + person/thing
behaviour + toward + person
用法筆記
Commonly paired with abstract nouns that describe feelings or behaviour: attitude, feelings, respect, kindness, hostility, patience, responsibility.
常見錯誤
3. near or close to a particular time, or close to a location in the course of movi
near or close to a particular time, or close to a location in the course of moving through it
The temperature drops sharply toward evening in this desert region.
toward + time of day
We should finish this project sometime toward the end of next week.
toward + the end of [period]
Toward midnight, the party finally began to quiet down.
The forest gets noticeably darker toward the centre, where the trees grow thickest.
- near
simpler and more common; 'near evening' means roughly the same as 'toward evening'
文法句型
toward + time of day/period
toward + location/area
用法筆記
When referring to time, toward indicates approximation — the event happens near that point, not necessarily exactly at it.
4. used to indicate that money, effort, or action is given or used to help pay for
used to indicate that money, effort, or action is given or used to help pay for something or to achieve a particular result
I save ten percent of my salary each month toward buying a house.
save + toward + gerund phrase for purpose
Caio has been working hard toward earning his degree in environmental science.
All the money from the bake sale will go toward building a new school library.
The Watanabe family donated a large sum toward the hospital's new cancer wing.
- for
simpler and more general; 'save for a house' is more common in everyday speech than 'save toward a house'
文法句型
save + toward + [goal]
work + toward + [achievement]
contribute + toward + [purpose]
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a gerund (-ing form) when describing the purpose or goal: 'save toward buying', 'work toward achieving', 'go toward building'.
toward — adjective
1. about to happen or appear very soon; expected at any moment
about to happen or appear very soon; expected at any moment
With dark clouds massing on the horizon, a violent storm was toward and the sailors secured the deck.
literary register: be toward for imminent event
The villagers sensed that change was toward, though no one could say when it would arrive.
Harvest was toward, and the fields glowed gold under the autumn sun.
The wedding was toward and the entire family helped with the final preparations.
- imminent
the standard modern equivalent; far more common than toward in this sense
- approaching
less formal than imminent but still common in writing
- impending
often used for negative or threatening events
文法句型
be toward
seem toward
2. currently happening or actively being prepared or developed
currently happening or actively being prepared or developed
Plans were toward for a grand celebration, but the guest of honour knew nothing about it.
literary register: plans be toward for ongoing activity
A scheme was toward that would bring clean water to every village in the valley.
Negotiations were well toward when the mediator suddenly fell ill.
Preparations were toward for the festival, with decorations going up across the town square.
- afoot
the closest modern equivalent, still somewhat literary
- under way
neutral and common; 'plans are under way' is everyday English
- in progress
the most straightforward modern alternative
文法句型
be toward
plans/work + be + toward
用法筆記
Highly literary or archaic. In modern English, 'afoot', 'under way', or 'in progress' is used instead. This sense is almost always found in past-tense constructions with 'be'.
3. having a natural ability to learn or understand things quickly and easily
having a natural ability to learn or understand things quickly and easily
The youngest student was remarkably toward in languages and mastered Spanish in three months.
literary register: be toward in [subject] for aptitude
A toward apprentice can learn the trade in half the usual time.
Feng was toward in mathematics from an early age, solving problems far beyond his grade level.
Hari was so toward in music that he could play a tune by ear after hearing it once.
- slow
slow to learn or understand
文法句型
be toward in [subject]
a toward [learner]
用法筆記
Archaic or literary. In modern English, 'quick', 'apt', 'sharp', or 'gifted' is used instead. The construction 'toward in [subject]' is the typical pattern.
4. giving signs or reasons to expect a good result; favourable or propitious
giving signs or reasons to expect a good result; favourable or propitious
The timing was toward for launching the business, and Élise decided to take the risk.
literary register: timing be toward for favourable conditions
The committee saw the proposal as a toward sign and approved it without changes.
Clear skies and a calm sea are toward omens for a long voyage.
Obi took the rainbow as a toward omen before setting out on his journey.
- favourable
the standard modern equivalent; 'favourable conditions' is everyday English
- promising
suggests potential for future success
- auspicious
more formal, often for beginnings or events
- unfavourable
not likely to produce a good result
- inauspicious
giving signs of a bad outcome
文法句型
be toward
a toward sign/omen
用法筆記
Archaic or literary. In modern English, 'favourable', 'promising', or 'auspicious' is preferred. Often appears with 'omen', 'sign', or 'timing'.