Some English words create confusion not because they’re difficult, but because they look almost identical. Afterward vs afterwards is one of those pairs. The only visible difference is a single “s” at the end, yet many writers pause before using either one. Is one spelling more correct? Does British English prefer one over the other? And will readers notice which version you choose?
Here’s the short answer: both “afterward” and “afterwards” are correct. They have the same meaning and can usually be used interchangeably. The real difference isn’t grammar—it’s regional preference. Afterward is more common in American English, while afterwards appears more often in British English. Once you understand that simple distinction, choosing the right word becomes much easier.
Quick Answer
| Word | Is It Correct? | Common In | Meaning |
| Afterward | ✅ Yes | American English | At a later time; after something happens |
| Afterwards | ✅ Yes | British English | At a later time; after something happens |
Both words mean exactly the same thing.
If They Mean the Same Thing, Why Are There Two Spellings?
English has borrowed words from different regions and evolved over hundreds of years. As a result, some words developed two accepted spellings instead of one.
Think about words like:
- Toward / Towards
- Forward / Forwards
- Backward / Backwards
The same pattern applies to afterward and afterwards.
The extra “s” doesn’t change the meaning. It simply reflects a spelling preference that became common in certain parts of the English-speaking world.
So if you’ve been wondering whether one word sounds more formal or has a different definition, the answer is no. They both refer to something happening later or after an earlier event.
Related Post: Cart vs Kart
What Does “Afterward” Mean?
Afterward is an adverb that means later, after that, or following a particular event.
You’ll hear it in everyday conversations, news reports, books, and professional writing.
For example:
We had dinner, and afterward we watched a movie.
The word tells readers what happened next.
Another example:
She finished the presentation and afterward answered questions from the audience.
Here, afterward connects two events in a natural sequence.
One important thing to remember is that afterward doesn’t describe a place or object. It only describes time.
What Does “Afterwards” Mean?
The meaning of afterwards is exactly the same.
It also means:
- later
- after that
- at a later time
- following an event
For example:
They went shopping, and afterwards they met friends for coffee.
Nothing changes except the spelling.
If you replace afterwards with afterward, the sentence still makes perfect sense.
That’s why editors often say this isn’t really a grammar issue—it’s a style choice.
A Simple Rule You’ll Actually Remember
Many grammar rules are difficult to memorize.
Fortunately, this one isn’t.
Remember this:
American English usually drops the “s.”
So:
- American English → afterward
- British English → afterwards
If you’re writing for an international audience, afterward is slightly more common online because many global publications follow American style guides.
Why This Tiny “S” Confuses So Many Writers
It’s surprising how often one extra letter causes uncertainty.
There are several reasons.
Both Words Look Official
Unlike genuine spelling mistakes, both versions appear in dictionaries.
That makes people wonder whether one carries a hidden grammatical difference.
It doesn’t.
People Read Both Online
You might read one article using afterward and another using afterwards.
Since both are correct, search results contain both spellings.
Without knowing about regional English, it’s easy to assume one author made a mistake.
Spell Check Doesn’t Help Much
Most spelling checkers accept both words.
Unless you’ve selected a specific language setting—such as American English or British English—your writing software may never point out the difference.
How Editors Usually Decide
Professional editors don’t ask:
Which word is correct?
Instead, they ask:
Which spelling matches the style guide?
For example:
A publication following American English will normally change:
afterwards
to
afterward
Meanwhile, a British publication may do the opposite.
Consistency matters much more than the choice itself.
American English vs British English
Regional spelling is where the difference becomes most noticeable.
| English Variety | Preferred Spelling |
| American English | Afterward |
| British English | Afterwards |
| Canadian English | Both (afterward slightly more common) |
| Australian English | Afterwards |
| International English | Either, but stay consistent |
If your audience is worldwide, either option works.
The key is to avoid switching between them in the same article.
Do Readers Actually Notice?
Most readers won’t consciously notice whether you’ve written afterward or afterwards.
What they will notice is inconsistency.
Imagine reading:
We went hiking afterward.
Then two paragraphs later:
Afterwards we visited a museum.
Both sentences are correct, but together they can make the writing feel less polished.
Good editors usually pick one spelling and keep it throughout the entire document.
When Either Word Sounds Natural
One interesting thing about this pair is that neither spelling changes the rhythm of a sentence.
Consider these examples:
We finished lunch, and afterward we took a walk.
Now change one word:
We finished lunch, and afterwards we took a walk.
The meaning stays exactly the same.
The tone also remains almost identical.
That’s why choosing between them rarely affects readability.
Examples You’ll See Every Day
These words appear in all kinds of writing.
In Everyday Conversation
We watched a movie and afterward went out for dessert.
or
We watched a movie and afterwards went out for dessert.
Both sound completely natural.
In School Writing
Students often describe events in chronological order.
For example:
The experiment was completed. Afterward, the results were recorded.
In Business Communication
Professionals frequently write:
We’ll discuss the proposal during the meeting and afterward finalize the budget.
Using afterward keeps the sentence clear and direct.
In News Articles
Journalists regularly use these words when describing events.
Example:
The president addressed reporters. Afterwards, officials released a written statement.
Again, the meaning remains the same regardless of spelling.
Which Version Appears More Often Today?
If you browse modern websites, newspapers, and blogs, you’ll notice one trend.
Afterward appears more frequently in American publications, while afterwards continues to dominate many British publications.
Neither spelling is disappearing.
Instead, both continue to exist because English has evolved differently across regions.
For most writers, this means there’s no need to worry about choosing the “wrong” one.
The only real mistake is mixing them randomly within the same piece of writing.
Key Differences Between Afterward and Afterwards
By now, you’ve probably noticed that afterward and afterwards are much more alike than different. Still, it’s helpful to compare them side by side.
| Feature | Afterward | Afterwards |
| Correct spelling | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Meaning | Later; after that | Later; after that |
| Part of speech | Adverb | Adverb |
| American English | Preferred | Less common |
| British English | Accepted | Preferred |
| Formal writing | Yes | Yes |
| Informal writing | Yes | Yes |
The biggest takeaway is simple: the difference is regional, not grammatical.
Afterward, Afterwards, Later, and Then
People often wonder whether these words can replace one another. Sometimes they can—but not always.
Afterward
Use afterward when referring to something that happens following an earlier event.
We finished the meeting. Afterward, everyone went to lunch.
Afterwards
Works exactly the same way.
We finished the meeting. Afterwards, everyone went to lunch.
Later
Later refers to a future time but doesn’t always depend on a previous event.
I’ll call you later.
Then
Then often shows the next step in a sequence.
First, mix the ingredients. Then bake for 30 minutes.
Although these words are related, afterward/afterwards specifically emphasize what happened after something else.
Related Post: Swifty or Swiftie
Examples in Real Sentences
| Sentence | Preferred Word |
| We visited the museum and afterward had dinner. | Afterward |
| She apologized afterward. | Afterward |
| They talked for hours afterwards. | Afterwards |
| Afterwards, everyone returned home safely. | Afterwards |
| Finish your homework first; afterward you can play. | Afterward |
| We watched the game and afterwards celebrated together. | Afterwards |
| He felt much better afterward. | Afterward |
| The team met afterwards to discuss the results. | Afterwards |
| She smiled afterward because everything worked out. | Afterward |
| Afterwards, the weather became much colder. | Afterwards |
| We cleaned the kitchen afterward. | Afterward |
| Afterwards they took plenty of photos. | Afterwards |
Common Mistakes Writers Make
Even though both spellings are correct, writers still make a few avoidable mistakes.
Mistake 1: Mixing Both Spellings
Avoid writing:
❌ We went shopping afterward. Afterwards we visited my grandparents.
Choose one version and stay consistent.
✅ We went shopping afterward. Afterward we visited my grandparents.
or
✅ We went shopping afterwards. Afterwards we visited my grandparents.
Mistake 2: Thinking One Is Wrong
Some people assume afterwards is incorrect because they mostly read American English.
Others think afterward is incomplete because they’re used to British English.
Neither belief is true.
Both spellings are accepted by major dictionaries.
Mistake 3: Adding an Unnecessary Preposition
Avoid sentences like:
❌ Afterward of the meeting, we left.
Correct versions are:
✅ After the meeting, we left.
✅ We left afterward.
Similar Word Pairs That Follow the Same Pattern
If you’ve noticed the extra “s” before, it’s because English has several words that behave the same way.
| American English | British English |
| Toward | Towards |
| Forward | Forwards |
| Backward | Backwards |
| Upward | Upwards |
| Downward | Downwards |
| Afterward | Afterwards |
In each case, both forms are correct. The preferred spelling depends largely on regional usage and editorial style.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
If you’re still unsure, here’s a simple guide.
For American English
Choose afterward.
It’s the spelling you’ll see in American newspapers, universities, and style guides.
For British English
Choose afterwards.
It matches the style used by many British publishers and organizations.
For International Writing
Either word is acceptable.
If you’re writing for readers around the world, consistency matters more than the spelling itself.
For Business Writing
If your company follows American English, use afterward.
If it follows British English, use afterwards.
For Academic Writing
Follow your institution’s preferred style guide.
Universities generally expect consistent spelling throughout an assignment.
A Memory Trick You’ll Remember
Here’s an easy way to avoid second-guessing yourself.
Think of the extra “S” as standing for “British Style.”
- Afterward → American style
- Afterwards → British style
If you don’t know which style you’re writing in, simply pick one spelling and use it consistently from beginning to end.
You may also like these slang meanings as well:
- Sweet vs Sweat
- Whoever vs Whomever
- Affect vs Effect
- Principal vs Principle
- Breakroom or Break Room
- Seak vs Seek
- Title vs Tittle
FAQs
Is it afterward or afterwards?
Both are correct. Afterward is more common in American English, while afterwards is generally preferred in British English.
What’s the difference between afterward and afterwards?
There is no difference in meaning. The only difference is regional spelling preference.
Is afterwards incorrect?
No. It is a standard English word and is widely used, especially in British English.
Is afterward American English?
Yes. American English generally prefers afterward without the final “s.”
Can I use afterward and afterwards interchangeably?
Yes, but avoid switching between them within the same piece of writing.
Which spelling is better for websites?
If your audience is mostly international or American, afterward is usually the better choice.
Is afterward formal?
Yes. It works well in both formal and informal writing.
Is afterwards old-fashioned?
No. It’s still widely used in British English today.
Can I start a sentence with afterward?
Absolutely.
Example:
Afterward, we reviewed the results.
Do dictionaries recognize both spellings?
Yes. Major English dictionaries list both afterward and afterwards as correct.
Conclusion
The debate over afterward vs afterwards is much simpler than it first appears. Although the two words differ by just one letter, they share the same meaning and perform the same role in a sentence. Both refer to something happening later or after a previous event, and both are accepted in standard English.
The real difference comes down to regional preference. If you’re writing in American English, afterward is the spelling you’ll see most often. If you’re following British English, afterwards is generally the preferred choice. Neither version is more formal, more correct, or more professional than the other.
The best approach is to choose the spelling that matches your audience and use it consistently throughout your writing. That small detail helps your work look polished and intentional. Once you remember that American English usually drops the final “s,” deciding between afterward and afterwards becomes one of the easiest grammar choices you’ll make.
