Have you ever typed the word “Afterward or Afterwards” and then stopped? You look at it. Something feels off. Should it have an “s” at the end?
You are not alone. This is one of the most common small mix-ups in English. The good news is that the answer is simple, and this guide will make it easy to remember forever.
Both “afterward” and “afterwards” are correct. They mean the same thing: “at a later time.” The only real difference is where you live. American English usually uses “afterward.” British English usually uses “afterwards.” Neither one is wrong.
In this guide, you will learn:
- What both words mean
- The real difference between them
- Which one fits American or British writing
- A bigger pattern that explains many similar word pairs
- Real examples you can copy
- Mistakes people often make
- Answers to common questions
Let’s clear up the confusion once and for all.
Table of Contents
What Does “Afterward” Mean?
“Afterward” is an adverb. An adverb is a word that tells you more about an action, like when, where, or how something happens.
“Afterward” tells you when. It means “at a later time” or “after that.”
Example: We ate dinner. Afterward, we watched a movie.
This sentence tells you two things happened in order. First dinner. Then the movie.
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What Does “Afterwards” Mean?
“Afterwards” means the exact same thing as “afterward.” It also means “at a later time” or “after that.”
Example: We ate dinner. Afterwards, we watched a movie.
See? The meaning did not change at all. Only one letter changed.
So if both words mean the same thing, why do both exist? Let’s answer that next.
Afterward vs. Afterwards: Is There Really a Difference?
Here is the simple truth. There is no difference in meaning. There is no difference in grammar rules either. Both words work the same way in a sentence.
The real difference comes down to one thing: which type of English you are writing.
| Afterward | Afterwards | |
| Meaning | At a later time | At a later time |
| Grammar Rule | Adverb | Adverb |
| Common In | American English | British English |
| Correct? | Yes | Yes |
Think of it like the words “color” and “colour.” Same word. Same meaning. Different spelling based on the country.
American English vs. British English: Which One Wins Where?
American English Preference
If you are writing for readers in the United States, “afterward” (no “s”) is the more common choice. American style guides and most U.S. publications lean toward the shorter form.
Example (American style): She finished her homework. Afterward, she called her friend.
British English Preference
If you are writing for readers in the United Kingdom, “afterwards” (with the “s”) is more common. British English tends to keep the “s” on this whole family of words.
Example (British style): She finished her homework. Afterwards, she rang her friend.
Commonwealth English Spelling
Countries that follow British spelling patterns, such as Canada, Australia, India, and New Zealand, often lean toward “afterwards” too, though usage can vary by writer and by country.
Expert tip: If you’re not sure which audience you’re writing for, either word is safe. Just don’t switch between them in the same piece of writing.
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The Bigger Pattern: Other “-ward” and “-wards” Word Pairs
Here’s something most articles on this topic miss. “Afterward” is not alone. It belongs to a whole family of English words that follow the exact same American vs. British pattern.
Once you understand this pattern, you will never have to guess again.
Toward vs. Towards
Both mean “in the direction of.”
Example: The dog ran toward the door. (American) Example: The dog ran towards the door. (British)
Forward vs. Forwards
Both mean “ahead” or “in a forward direction.”
Example: Please step forward. (American) Example: Please step forwards. (British)
Upward vs. Upwards
Both mean “in an upward direction.”
Example: The balloon floated upward. (American) Example: The balloon floated upwards. (British)
Backward vs. Backwards
Both mean “in a backward direction.”
Example: He walked backward into the wall. (American) Example: He walked backwards into the wall. (British)
Notice the pattern? In every single case, American English drops the “s,” and British English keeps it. Once you know this rule, you can apply it to nearly every word in this word family, not just “afterward.”
Where Does the Word “Afterward” Come From?
Understanding a word’s history can make it easier to remember. “Afterward” comes from very old English. It combines “after,” meaning “later,” with “-ward,” an old ending that means “in the direction of” or “toward.”
So “afterward” originally meant something close to “toward a later time.” Over hundreds of years, the “s” version also developed as English spread and changed across different countries. Neither version is newer or more “correct” than the other. They simply grew apart as English split between regions.
Is One More Formal Than the Other?
This is one of the most common questions people ask. The answer is simple: no.
Neither “afterward” nor “afterwards” is more formal or more casual. You can use either one in:
- A business email
- A school essay
- A casual text message
- A formal report
What matters more than the word itself is staying consistent. If you use “afterward” at the start of your document, keep using “afterward” throughout. Switching back and forth between both spellings looks careless, even though each individual word is correct.
When to Use “Afterward”
Use “afterward” when:
- You are writing for an American audience
- Your style guide or workplace prefers American English
- You already used the American spelling earlier in your writing
Example: The meeting ended at noon. Afterward, the team went to lunch together.
When to Use “Afterwards”
Use “afterwards” when:
- You are writing for a British or Commonwealth audience
- Your style guide prefers British English
- You already used the British spelling earlier in your writing
Example: The meeting ended at noon. Afterwards, the team went to lunch together.
Afterward or Afterwards in Real Writing
Let’s look at how this plays out in everyday writing, not just textbook examples.
Email Writing Examples
American style: “Thank you for joining today’s call. Afterward, please send over the notes.”
British style: “Thank you for joining today’s call. Afterwards, please send over the notes.”
Business Communication Examples
American style: “The product launch is scheduled for Monday. Afterward, the team will begin the next project phase.”
British style: “The product launch is scheduled for Monday. Afterwards, the team will begin the next project phase.”
Both examples are professional and correct. The only difference is regional spelling.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though this word pair is simple, a few small mistakes are common. Watch out for these.
Mistake 1: Mixing both spellings in one document. Pick one and stick with it. Mixing “afterward” and “afterwards” in the same piece looks inconsistent, even though both are correct individually.
Mistake 2: Assuming one spelling is “wrong.” Some people insist “afterwards” is incorrect, or that “afterward” is a mistake. Neither claim is true. Both are standard English words.
Mistake 3: Confusing “afterward” with “afterword.” These look almost the same but mean very different things. We’ll explain this next.
Mistake 4: Overusing the word at the start of every sentence. Using “afterward” or “afterwards” to begin too many sentences in a row can feel repetitive. Mix in other transition words sometimes, like “later,” “then,” or “next.”
Commonly Confused Word: Afterword
This is an easy trap to fall into, so let’s clear it up.
“Afterword” (with a “d” at the end, not an “s”) is a completely different word. It is a noun, not an adverb. An afterword is a short section at the end of a book, often written by the author or someone else, added after the main story or content ends.
Example: The novel included an afterword written by the author’s daughter.
Do not confuse:
- Afterward / Afterwards → an adverb meaning “later”
- Afterword → a noun meaning “a closing section in a book”
Quick Comparison Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Common Region |
| Afterward | Adverb | At a later time | American English |
| Afterwards | Adverb | At a later time | British English |
| Afterword | Noun | A closing section of a book | Both regions |
What Do Style Guides and Real Writers Actually Do?
Major American style guides, including those followed by many U.S. newspapers and publishers, generally recommend “afterward” without the “s.” Meanwhile, British publishers and news outlets generally favor “afterwards.”
This isn’t a strict grammar law enforced by a language authority. It’s simply a widely followed convention, built up over time through common use in each region. If you look at large amounts of real-world writing, you’ll see this pattern hold fairly consistently, even though occasional exceptions exist on both sides.
If you write for a specific company, publication, or school, check whether they follow a specific style guide (like AP style in the U.S.). If they do, follow whatever spelling that guide prefers.
Other Ways to Say “Afterward” or “Afterwards”
Sometimes you want to avoid repeating the same word too many times in one piece of writing. Here are some natural alternatives:
- Later
- Then
- Next
- Following that
- After that
- Subsequently
Example: We finished the hike. Later, we grabbed lunch nearby.
These words can add variety to your writing while keeping the same basic meaning.
A Quick Grammar Side Note: Similar Confusing Word Pairs
If mixing up “afterward” and “afterwards” bothers you, you’re not alone; English has plenty of similar tricky pairs. For example, many people also get confused about verb forms like “arise,” “arose,” and the incorrect “arised” (the correct past tense of “arise” is actually “arose,” not “arised”). Just like with afterward and afterwards, the trick is learning the pattern once, so you stop second-guessing yourself every time you write.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it “afterward” or “afterwards”? Both are correct. “Afterward” is more common in American English. “Afterwards” is more common in British English.
Which one should I use in an essay? Either is fine for schoolwork. If your teacher or school follows a specific style guide, use whichever spelling that guide recommends, and stay consistent throughout your writing.
Is “afterwards” grammatically incorrect? No. It is completely correct, especially in British English. It is not a grammar mistake.
Can I use “afterward” and “afterwards” in the same document? It’s best not to. While both are correct individually, mixing them in one piece of writing can look inconsistent.
What is the difference between “afterward” and “afterword”? “Afterward” (with a “d”) means “later.” “Afterword” (also ending in “d,” but a different word entirely) is a noun that means a closing section at the end of a book.
Does British English always use “afterwards”? It’s the more common choice in British English, though usage can vary slightly between writers and publications.
Is “afterward” more formal than “afterwards”? No. Neither word is more formal. The difference is regional, not about formality.
What other words follow the same “-ward” vs. “-wards” pattern? Many do, including toward/towards, forward/forwards, upward/upwards, and backward/backwards. American English tends to drop the “s” in all of these, while British English tends to keep it.
Where does the word “afterward” come from? It comes from combining “after” with the old English ending “-ward,” which means “in the direction of.”
Should businesses pick one spelling for their brand writing? Yes, it’s a smart practice. Choosing one spelling and using it consistently across a website, app, or brand’s writing helps content look polished and professional.
Final Thoughts: Afterward or Afterwards?
So, afterward or afterwards? The truth is, you really can’t go wrong. Both words mean exactly the same thing, and both are grammatically correct. The only real difference is where your readers are from. Choose “afterward” for an American audience, or “afterwards” for a British audience, and then stick with that choice throughout your writing.
The most important habit to build isn’t memorizing one “correct” spelling. It’s staying consistent once you pick one.
