The Preposition Ward

A ward can  refer to a section in a hospital that gives attention to a particular type of patient. In the English language hospital, there’s a special ward devoted to prepositions. By attaching the suffix -ward to various prepositions we can give them a little more life!

For example, we can join after and ward to form afterward, which means at a later time. Afterward, they came over. I’ll tell you afterwards.

After movement prepositions, the suffix -ward adds the meaning of in the direction of. It isn’t necessary to add the suffix, but it adds a little extra emphasis. Take a look.

toward/s (in the direction of)

The hair on his neck went up as the stranger moved towards him.
forward/s (toward the front)

All volunteers, please, step forward.

We move the clocks forward an hour in Spring.

backward/s (toward the back)

He pulled the car backwards out of  the garage.

She was wearing her shirt backwards.

upward/s (toward a higher level)

The smoke from the fire whirled upward to the stars.

downward/s (toward a lower level)

The arrow on the chart pointed downwards.
inward/s (toward the inside)

Empty your mind of distractions and look inwards.

outward/s (toward the outside)

You have to move both arms outwards as you swim.

Unlike most prepositions, apart from toward, you don’t need an object after these ward prepositions. And as you can see above, ending the preposition in S is optional. Although we leave S off in the few cases, when the preposition is used as an adjective.

She might seem serious cold but it’s just an outward appearance.

As adjectives some of these can have other meanings. Someone who is forward is unafraid to say what he thinks or how he feels. Someone who is backward is ignorant or a country that is backward is undeveloped.

Forward can be used as a noun to mean an attacking position in a team sport,  or as a verb to mean send to another destination.


Let's end with some backward expressions that you might hear: Bending over backwards means you’ll do whatever you can to achieve something. He bent over backwards to please his wife. Knowing something backwards means you know it very well or intimately. I know this town backwards. Going backwards and forwards means you repeatedly go from one place to another. We’ve been going backwards and forwards between work and school all day.


Without a doubt, if you use these ward prepositions for awhile, I'm sure you'll know them backwards and forwards!