Backward vs Backwards

Quando usar cada um em inglês, com significado, registro e exemplos.

Backward

Top 2000 (comum)B1adjective

Backwards

Top 2000 (comum)B1adverb
 BackwardBackwards
Pronúncia🇬🇧 /["/ˈbækwəd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈbækwərd/"]/🇬🇧 /["/ˈbækwədz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈbækwərdz/"]/
SignificadoGoing in the direction opposite to where you are facing.In the direction that is opposite to the front.
ExemploShe strode past him **without a backward glance**.He walked backwards to avoid stepping on the slippery ground.
RegistroNeutroNeutro
Quão comumTop 2000 (comum)Top 2000 (comum)
Nível CEFRB1B1
Classe gramaticaladjectiveadverb
Colocaçõesbe, seem, extremely, fairly, verymove backwards, look backwards, step backwards
Antônimosforwardforwards, ahead
Erros comuns'Backward' vs 'backwards' confusion, especially in British vs American English., Using 'backward' to describe a person negatively (this can be considered offensive)., Confusing the spelling with 'backwardness'.Confused with 'backward' — check if regional variation applies., Incorrectly used in contexts where 'reverse' is more appropriate., Mispronounced as 'back-wards' instead of 'back-werdz'.
Notas de usoUse 'backward' to describe movement or position. It’s appropriate in both casual and formal contexts but less common in positive situations; often used in negative or cautionary remarks.Use 'backwards' when describing movement in the reverse direction. It's more common in everyday conversation and not typically used in formal writing. Choose 'backward' in American English for similar meaning.

Perguntas frequentes: Backward vs Backwards

Qual é a diferença entre Backward e Backwards?

Backward: Going in the direction opposite to where you are facing. Backwards: In the direction that is opposite to the front.

Backward e Backwards estão no mesmo nível CEFR?

Backward: B1, Backwards: B1 na escala CEFR.

Posso usar Backward e Backwards de forma intercambiável?

Nem sempre. Backward e Backwards são relacionadas e às vezes se sobrepõem, mas diferem em registro, frequência e uso, então trocar uma pela outra pode mudar o sentido ou o tom. Veja as diferenças acima antes de substituir.