Use of 'onwards' in English with age

[Mark Skype Teacher]

Hi everyone,

With regard to the Scottish referendum a month ago or so, a student in an English class said: 'People from 16 years old onwards will vote yes'.

I'm wondering if we can use onwards when we're describing an age and any age older than that age (in this case '16').

Seems strange to me as a native however I can't find any authoritative comment about the section.

It is a lot more normal, in my opinion, to use phrases like 'you need to continue onwards' or 'from 1945 onwards there was peace in Europe'.

Thanks very much and have a good day.

Mark

[NATASHA]

That does sound strange but I think that you can use it in that way. The proper or correct way would be to use "people from the age of 16 onwards"

[gmckee1985]

I haven't noticed anyone using the word "onwards" in quite some time. It's not a phrase you hear very often in America. I can't even remember the last time I heard someone say it, or that I have said it for that matter. In my understanding, onwards can be used in relation to any age. I don't think there's any specific age to use it after.

[Mark Skype Teacher]

Yes Natasha, I agree that the structure you presented sounds a lot better.

GMC: this student has had more experience with UK English so that may be why she brought it up.

Have a nice afternoon.

[Rosa]

Using onward in that sentence is perfectly fine although it does sound odd and hasn't been used quite often. Most persons I know would use the word upward instead.

[xTinx]

You don't usually use onwards when you're talking about age. You usually say "16 up" but some do break the rules though in a more classy way. This mostly pertains to direction. I am not sure aging has something to do with directions. Just my thoughts.

[Baburra]

It doesn't sound too out of place for me. I think it is acceptable to use in this situation because the alternative of using 'up' is a bit too informal. Onwards connotes moving further towards a positive so it sounds like a good fit to me to use it for using it in a similar manner to upward.

[Determined2014]

I haven't noticed anyone using the word "onwards" in quite some time. It's not a phrase you hear very often in America. I can't even remember the last time I heard someone say it, or that I have said it for that matter. In my understanding, onwards can be used in relation to any age. I don't think there's any specific age to use it after.

I frequently use it ,especially in a sentence like, " from today onwards" for some reason I tend to use it alot.

[Mark Skype Teacher]

OK thanks to all for their commentaries. Have a great day!

[sidney]

I use "onwards" all the time, I guess you just don't encounter that word often. It doesn't sound odd at all to me, but the word "upward" does sound odd in my opinion.

[shamzblueworld]

That does sound strange but I think that you can use it in that way. The proper or correct way would be to use "people from the age of 16 onwards"

I agree that was bit strange, but Natasha corrected it well, I think this sounds correct now. It can be used with age but only how Natasha put it.

Thanks for the correction Natasha

[cameronpalte]

I have heard the word onwards a lot, however, I seem to be hearing it less and less it seemed to be much more commonly used 10 years ago. Your usage of it seemed to be accurate though.

[Mark Skype Teacher]

We also have the term 'onwards and upwards' which is about making progress and advancing. see: http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/onwards+and+upwards

Have a fabulous day!

[Ruth]

I agree that these phrases are much better:

" people from the age of 16 onwards"

" from today onwards"

'from 1945 onwards there was peace in Europe'.

'you need to continue onwards'