I’m walking backwards for Christmas,

Across the Irish Sea,

I’m walking backwards for Christmas,

It’s the only thing for me.

 

I’ve tried walking sideways,

And walking to the front,

But people just look at me,

And say it’s a publicity stunt.

 

I’m walking backwards for Christmas,

To prove that I love you.

-excerpt from “I’m Walking Backwards for Christmas” by Spike Milligan

 

Backward versus Backwards

In the poem excerpt above you will notice that the word backwards is spelled with an “s” on the end. But have you ever seen it spelled without an “s”? You might not remember an occasion off the top of your head, but it is quite likely that you have.

Knowing when to add an “s” and when not to is one of those potentially confusing aspects of learning English. So let’s take a look at when you use backward and when you use backwards.

 

To Describe a Verb

If you are using backward and backwards to describe verbs, then you have the green light to use either version.

The cat jumped backward/backwards.

To fall asleep, count backward/backwards from one hundred to zero.

 

Tip: Backwards (with the “s”) is more common in Britain.

 

To Describe a Noun

If you want to describe a noun (i.e. using backward as an adjective) you never use backwards. It is always backward.

He has such old-fashioned and backward ways.

She was not good at drawing dogs. The dogs always had backward ears.

 

In Summary

So in summary, if you are describing a verb, you can use either backward or backwards (unless you are in Britain, then you should use backwards). If you are describing a noun, you always use backward (no matter which side of the ocean you are on).