Cool MateUpward vs Upwards
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Upward
Top 2,000 (common)B1adjective
Upwards
Top 5,000 (fairly common)B2adverb
Most common: Upward
| Upward | Upwards | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈʌpwəd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈʌpwərd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈʌpwədz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈʌpwərdz/"]/ |
| Meaning | Moving towards a higher place. | in a direction that goes higher or increases |
| Example | an upward gaze | Place your hands on the table with the palms facing upwards. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adverb |
| Collocations | upward trend, upward movement, upward spiral | look upwards, move upwards, climb upwards, rise upwards |
| Antonyms | downward, descend | downwards, decrease |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'upwards' — both are correct but 'upward' is often preferred in American English., Using 'upward' when referring to static positions — it's for movement only. | Confused with 'upward' — 'upwards' is more common in British English., Using 'upwards' when referring to a static position instead of movement., Incorrectly placing 'upwards' in the sentence, making it unclear. |
| Usage notes | Use 'upward' when describing movement or direction. It's suitable in both formal and informal contexts but avoid it in very casual or slang discussions. | Use 'upwards' when describing movement or increase. It's appropriate in both formal writing and everyday conversation, but avoid it in very casual or slang contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Upward vs Upwards
What's the difference between Upward and Upwards?
Upward: Moving towards a higher place. Upwards: in a direction that goes higher or increases
Which is more common: Upward and Upwards?
Upward is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Upward and Upwards?
Upwards is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Upward and Upwards the same CEFR level?
Upward: B1, Upwards: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Upward and Upwards?
Upward: adjective, Upwards: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Upward: an upward gaze Upwards: Place your hands on the table with the palms facing upwards.
Can I use Upward and Upwards interchangeably?
Not always. Upward and Upwards are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.