Are there any differences between these two suffixes "ward" and "wards"? Like upwards/downwards/forwards/backwards/inwards/outwards/towards/afterwards… If I delete the "s" at the end, will their meaning or usage change? Thanks in advance.

Question

Are there any differences between these  two suffixes "ward" and "wards"? Like upwards/downwards/forwards/backwards/inwards/outwards/towards/afterwards… If I delete the "s" at the end, will their meaning or usage change?  Thanks in advance.

Answer

By the way, can I say: look forwards to?

Answer

In my understanding:
‘-ward’ in adjectives
For example, you say ‘a backward glance’ and ‘a homeward journey’. These adjectives are usually used in front of nouns.
`-wards' are not...
A number of Taiwanese have also viewed mainlanders as backwards or uncivilised, according to Peng Ming-min, a Taiwanese politician.[Image]

Answer

This is a good question.
There is probably an "official" answer,  but I am a native speaker and I use all of these variations.

The meaning does not change if you choose one or the other.
A professor might have a better explanation, but you don't need to worry about being misunderstood.

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