Quote:
Originally Posted by gmw
Together you present an interesting example. What if for some reason it really was one of:
1) "He stepped backwards towards the altar."
2) "He stepped backward toward the altar."
3) "He stepped backwards toward the altar."
4) "He stepped backward towards the altar."
Would a rule of consistency cut out options 3 and 4? I quite like 3.
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In American English, it is always backwards. Backwards is the exception to the AmE rule of no s at the end of the -ward words. Thus in AmE #3 is the only correct option.
In British English, I believe the correct option is #1, as BrE prefers the s at the end of -ward words.