posted
I feel bad for using this forum to ask such a simple question, but I'm in the middle of trying to get stuff together for a possible payday on the sequel to my first novel, so...
sorry, but I know someone here knows the answer and the more I think on it, the more I doubt myself.
Rules on To vs. Toward???
I know, never use towardS, just like never use besideS, and I think to is used in destination related circumstances.
Specifically, do you turn your head toward??? a sound?
posted
Well, I'd say we do turn our heads "toward". "Toward" is more animated than "to" - for example, if applied to a head moving, then I imagine the head actually turning. "Toward" seems like it should be used for a direction while "to" for a destination...?
What am I trying to say? >_>'' Turning "toward" indicates a gradual movement for me, like sunflowers turning toward the sun. I'd use "to" if I want to say for example "I turned to the person next to me".
AUGHHHH, I hope that helped a little, now you got me thinking about this question. I hate these annoying little problems that always seem to be embedded in all my stories.
Good luck! I'll be checking on this thread to learn the difference between the two a while later. =D
posted
RG, Essentially you have it right. Toward is facing or moving in the direction of. (The 'ward' in toward is the same as forward, inward, leeward, backward, seaward, etc, denoting a direction) 'I walked toward the store.' To implies that you/it is actually going to get there. 'I walked to the store'
I too often turn 'to' someone but think that that may be colloquial. You should indeed turn toward a sound as you can't possibly reach it.
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