To vs. Toward

Attribute	To	Toward
Preposition	Used as a preposition indicating direction or destination	Used as a preposition indicating movement in the direction of
Usage	Commonly used in phrases like "go to", "send to", "belong to"	Commonly used in phrases like "move toward", "lean toward", "walk toward"
Direction	Indicates a specific endpoint or destination	Indicates movement in a general direction
Immediacy	Can imply a more immediate or direct action	Can imply a more gradual or ongoing action

Definition

Both "to" and "toward" are prepositions that indicate direction or movement in a specific direction. However, there is a subtle difference in their usage. "To" is used to indicate a destination or endpoint, while "toward" is used to indicate movement in the direction of a specific point or goal.

Usage

When using "to," the focus is on the endpoint or destination of the movement. For example, "I am going to the store" indicates that the speaker's destination is the store. On the other hand, when using "toward," the focus is on the direction of the movement rather than the endpoint. For example, "I am walking toward the park" indicates that the speaker is moving in the direction of the park, but may not necessarily reach it.

Specificity

One key difference between "to" and "toward" is the level of specificity they provide. "To" is more specific and indicates a definite endpoint or destination. For example, "I am driving to the airport" clearly indicates that the speaker's destination is the airport. On the other hand, "I am driving toward the airport" is less specific and simply indicates that the speaker is heading in the direction of the airport without necessarily reaching it.

Immediacy

Another difference between "to" and "toward" is the sense of immediacy they convey. "To" implies a more immediate or direct movement towards a specific endpoint. For example, "I am running to catch the bus" suggests that the speaker is making a direct effort to reach the bus. In contrast, "I am running toward the bus" suggests a more general movement in the direction of the bus without the same sense of immediacy.

Intent

The choice between "to" and "toward" can also convey different levels of intent or purpose. Using "to" suggests a more definite intention to reach a specific endpoint. For example, "I am driving to the beach" implies that the speaker's goal is to reach the beach. On the other hand, using "toward" may suggest a more general or less committed movement in a certain direction. For example, "I am walking toward the beach" could imply a more casual or leisurely approach to reaching the beach.

Directionality

One final distinction between "to" and "toward" is the sense of directionality they convey. "To" typically indicates a one-way movement towards a specific endpoint. For example, "I am flying to Paris" suggests a direct flight to Paris without any stops along the way. In contrast, "toward" can suggest a more open-ended or continuous movement in a certain direction. For example, "I am walking toward the mountains" implies a general movement in the direction of the mountains without specifying a particular endpoint.