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To vs. Toward

“To” = destination reached.

“Toward” = going in that direction, but not there yet

Running "to" the finish line tells the reader they crossed it.
The racers ran to the finish line.
Running "toward" her mother means the child stopped at the break in the ground with her mother on the other side.
She ran toward her mother but stopped at the break.

Both words indicate a direction. The difference is whether or not the destination is reached.

Examples:

  • The dog ran to the house.
    • (Picture the dog going through the door.)
  • The dog ran toward the house.
    • (Picture the dog running, the house just a few feet away.)
  • The wildfire raced to the barn.
    • (Picture the barn burning.)
  • The wildfire raced toward the barn.
    • (Picture the firemen attempting to save the barn as the water shoots at the approaching fire.)
  • You can take this road to the campground.
    • (Picture the campground at the end of the road.)
  • You can take this road toward the campground.
    • (The road goes in that direction, but it may not reach the campground.)
  • She pointed to the house.
    • (You can see the house if you look in the direction she is pointing.)
  • She pointed toward the house.
    • (If the trees or the hill or the smoke did not block your view, you could see the house.)

Credits: Photo by Jeffrey F Lin, Photo by Simon Rae on Unsplash


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