How to spell forwards
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
forwards
F-O-R-W-A-R-D-S
The part to watch: forward + s. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Forwards is forward with an s. It keeps both r letters, and the end is wards, not words.
Forwards is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a letter you hardly hear. When we speak quickly, a letter or a whole beat gets swallowed. Say the word slowly, the way it is spelt, so every letter has a sound.
Common mistakes with forwards
- Wrong: fowardsRight: forwards
- Wrong: forwordsRight: forwards
A way to remember it
Forwards and backwards both end in wards.
Forwards in syllables
for · wards
Forwards has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The car rolled slowly forwards.
Forwards on the statutory list
Forwards is on the Year 3 and 4 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England, printed there as forward(s). Children are taught these words in Years 3 and 4, when they are 7 to 9.
From the same entry
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with forwards, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a letter you hardly hear
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as forwards.
More words
Questions parents ask
Is it forward or forwards?
Both are correct. "Move forwards" and "move forward" mean the same in British English. Only forward is used before a noun, as in "a forward roll".
Spelling is one part of the picture
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