English contains many word pairs that look almost identical but leave writers wondering which version is correct. One such example is afterward vs afterwards. Since both words appear in books, articles, conversations, and professional writing, many people ask whether there is a difference between them or if one is more correct than the other.
If you’ve ever searched afterward or afterwards, you’re not alone. These two words have the same meaning, are pronounced similarly, and are often interchangeable. However, there are subtle differences in regional preference and writing style that make understanding them worthwhile.
Knowing when to use afterwards vs afterward can help improve consistency in writing and ensure your language matches the audience you’re addressing. Whether you’re writing an email, academic paper, business report, or casual message, understanding these words can make your communication more polished.
This complete guide explains everything about afterward vs afterwards, including meanings, grammar rules, regional differences, examples, common mistakes, historical development, style preferences, and practical usage tips.
Afterward or Afterwards?
The simple answer is:
✔ Afterward is correct.
✔ Afterwards is also correct.
Both words mean:
At a later time or following something that happened earlier.
Examples:
✔ We went to dinner and afterward watched a movie.
✔ We went to dinner and afterwards watched a movie.
The meaning remains exactly the same.
The primary difference is regional preference:
- Afterward is more common in American English.
- Afterwards is more common in British English.
Afterward vs Afterwards at a Glance
| Word | Correct? | Common Region |
| Afterward | ✔ Yes | American English |
| Afterwards | ✔ Yes | British English |
| Afterward | ✔ Yes | Formal writing |
| Afterwards | ✔ Yes | International usage |
| Both | ✔ Yes | Same meaning |
What Does Afterward Mean?
The word afterward functions as an adverb.
It means:
- later
- subsequently
- after that
- following an event
Examples:
- We had lunch and afterward visited the museum.
- She called afterward to apologize.
- The meeting ended, and afterward everyone went home.
The word helps describe the sequence of events.
What Does Afterwards Mean?
Afterwards carries exactly the same meaning as afterward.
Examples:
- We had lunch and afterwards visited the museum.
- She called afterwards to apologize.
- The meeting ended, and afterwards everyone left.
The only noticeable difference is the addition of the letter s at the end.
Afterward vs Afterwards: Is There a Difference?
When comparing afterward vs afterwards, the meaning remains identical.
Both words indicate:
- something happened later
- an action followed another event
- a sequence in time
Examples:
Afterward:
✔ We watched a movie afterward.
Afterwards:
✔ We watched a movie afterwards.
The meaning does not change.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Afterward | Afterwards |
| Meaning | Later | Later |
| Grammar | Correct | Correct |
| American English | Preferred | Less common |
| British English | Less common | Preferred |
| Formal Writing | Common | Common |
| Informal Writing | Common | Common |
Is It Afterward or Afterwards?
One of the most common questions is:
Is it afterward or afterwards?
The answer:
Both are correct.
The choice often depends on:
- regional preference
- style consistency
- audience expectations
If you’re writing for an American audience, afterward may sound more natural.
If you’re writing for a British audience, afterwards may feel more familiar.
Why Do Both Forms Exist?
The existence of both forms comes from the history of English.
English contains several adverbs that appear in two forms:
Without “s”:
- afterward
- toward
- forward
- backward
With “s”:
- afterwards
- towards
- forwards
- backwards
Over time, different English-speaking regions developed different preferences.
American English Preference
American English generally favors shorter forms.
Examples:
- afterward
- toward
- forward
- backward
As a result, afterward became the preferred spelling in the United States.
Examples:
✔ We met afterward.
✔ Call me afterward.
✔ I’ll explain afterward.
British English Preference
British English often prefers the forms ending in s.
Examples:
- afterwards
- towards
- forwards
- backwards
This pattern explains why afterwards appears more frequently in British publications.
Examples:
✔ We met afterwards.
✔ Call me afterwards.
✔ I’ll explain afterwards.
Meaning Remains Identical
One important point:
There is absolutely no difference in meaning.
Compare:
✔ She spoke afterward.
✔ She spoke afterwards.
Both communicate the same idea.
The choice is stylistic rather than grammatical.
Table 3: Example Sentences
| Sentence | Afterward | Afterwards |
| We ate dinner and ___ went home. | ✔ | ✔ |
| She apologized ___ . | ✔ | ✔ |
| They met again ___ . | ✔ | ✔ |
| He called me ___ . | ✔ | ✔ |
| The ceremony ended and people left ___ . | ✔ | ✔ |
Using Afterward in Everyday English
Afterward appears frequently in daily communication.
Examples:
- I’ll finish the report afterward.
- We can talk afterward.
- He arrived afterward.
- She explained everything afterward.
The word smoothly connects events in a timeline.
Using Afterwards in Everyday English
Afterwards works exactly the same way.
Examples:
- I’ll finish the report afterwards.
- We can talk afterwards.
- He arrived afterwards.
- She explained everything afterwards.
Again, meaning remains unchanged.
Afterward in Professional Writing
American business writing often prefers afterward.
Examples:
- The presentation concluded, and afterward the team discussed future plans.
- Afterward, management released additional information.
- Employees met afterward to review the results.
The shorter form aligns with common American style guides.
Afterwards in Professional Writing
British organizations often use afterwards.
Examples:
- The conference ended, and afterwards attendees joined a networking event.
- Afterwards, the findings were distributed.
- Staff met afterwards to discuss improvements.
The wording feels natural in British English.
Afterward vs Afterwards in Academic Writing
Academic writing generally accepts both forms.
The key requirement is consistency.
Example:
If you begin using afterward, continue using afterward throughout the document.
Avoid switching back and forth unnecessarily.
Positioning Afterward and Afterwards in a Sentence
These words can appear in multiple positions.
End of Sentence
- We talked afterward.
- We talked afterwards.
Beginning of Sentence
- Afterward, we went home.
- Afterwards, we went home.
Middle of Sentence
- We afterward decided to continue.
Though possible, middle placement is less common.
Sentence Placement Examples
| Position | Example |
| Beginning | Afterward, we left. |
| Beginning | Afterwards, we left. |
| Middle | We afterward agreed. |
| End | We left afterward. |
| End | We left afterwards. |
Common Synonyms
Both afterward and afterwards share several synonyms.
Examples:
- later
- subsequently
- thereafter
- following that
- eventually
Example:
Afterward, we ate dinner.
Can become:
Later, we ate dinner.
The meaning remains similar.
Afterward vs Thereafter
Many writers compare afterward with thereafter.
Afterward
Usually more conversational.
Thereafter
Usually more formal.
Example:
- We met afterward.
- Thereafter, operations resumed.
Both indicate sequence but differ in tone.
Afterward vs Later
Another common comparison involves later.
Afterward
Specifically follows a previous event.
Later
Can refer to any future time.
Example:
- We had coffee and afterward visited the park.
- We’ll discuss it later.
The first creates a direct sequence.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Thinking One Is Incorrect
Many learners assume afterward is correct and afterwards is wrong.
Truth:
Both are correct.
Mistake 2: Mixing Regional Styles
Example:
Using afterward in one paragraph and afterwards in the next.
Consistency is usually better.
Mistake 3: Assuming Meaning Changes
Meaning remains exactly the same.
Why Writers Choose Afterward
Many writers prefer afterward because:
- shorter spelling
- American convention
- streamlined appearance
The shorter form often feels more direct.
Why Writers Choose Afterwards
Others prefer afterwards because:
- British convention
- traditional style
- familiar regional usage
Many international publications still use afterwards.
Historical Development
Historically, English frequently added -s to adverbs.
Examples:
- towards
- backwards
- afterwards
Over time, American English removed the final s from many of these words.
British English largely retained it.
This historical divergence explains the modern distinction.
Memory Trick
A simple way to remember:
American English
Usually prefers:
- afterward
- toward
- forward
- backward
British English
Often prefers:
- afterwards
- towards
- forwards
- backwards
This pattern works for several similar words.
Real-Life Examples
Example 1
We attended the concert and afterward went out for dinner.
Example 2
We attended the concert and afterwards went out for dinner.
Both are correct.
Example 3
Afterward, she called her family.
Example 4
Afterwards, she called her family.
Again, identical meaning.
Here we have more guides on grammer for you:
FAQs
What is the difference between afterward and afterwards?
There is no difference in meaning.
Is afterward correct?
Yes.
Is afterwards correct?
Yes.
Which is used in American English?
Afterward is more common.
Which is used in British English?
Afterwards is more common.
Can I use either one?
Yes.
Should I switch between them?
It’s better to remain consistent within the same piece of writing.
Conclusion
Knowing afterward vs afterwards is surprisingly simple once you know the key fact:
✔ Both words are correct.
✔ Both words mean exactly the same thing.
✔ The primary difference is regional preference.
When deciding between afterward or afterwards, consider your audience and maintain consistency throughout your writing.
American English generally prefers afterward, while British English tends to favor afterwards.
No matter which version you choose, readers will understand that you’re referring to something that happens later or following a previous event. By using the form that best matches your writing style and audience, you can communicate clearly and naturally every time.
