Grammar Questions

by Nabil
(Algeria)

What is the difference between: toward - towards,

backward - backwards, while -whilst

Do we call U.S.A an abbreviation for the United States of America? If so, Lge = Language, is this an abbreviation? Thank you in advance, dear teacher. Here is my best respect.

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Hi Nabil,

I'll start with the differences between those three sets of words and then move onto the abbreviation question.

Toward and Towards can be used interchangeably.

He moved toward her.
He moved towards her.

Backward and Backwards can be used interchangeably.

She started to walk backward.
She started to walk backwards.

While and whilst can be used interchangeably. Just know that whilst is mainly British. (I, for example, do not use whilst. I always say while).

I washed my clothes while I finished cooking.
I washed my clothes whilst I finished cooking.

There you have it Nabil. It is simple. Just choose one of each, the one you are more comfortable using, and use it.

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To answer your other question. U.S.A is considered an abbreviation. An abbreviation is a shortened or contracted form of a word or phrase. Lge is an abbreviation but it is for large, not language.

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