Have you ever paused mid-sentence, wondering whether to write “afterward” or “afterwards”? 🤔
You’re not the only one. These two words look nearly identical and mean exactly the same thing — so why do both exist?
Although they sound similar and share the same meaning, they differ slightly in regional usage and style preference.
In this article, we’ll unpack the difference between afterward and afterwards, explain where each one is more common, and show you how to choose the right version depending on your audience.
By the end, you’ll know exactly when to use each one — and why neither is wrong! 📝
What Is “Afterward”?
✅ “Afterward” is an adverb that means “at a later time” or “after something else happens.”
It’s most commonly used in American English.
Meaning and Usage
“Afterward” refers to something that occurs later in time, following another event or action.
Examples:
- “We went to dinner and watched a movie afterward.”
- “She called me afterward to apologize.”
- “You can finish your homework afterward.”
💡 Simple Definition:
“Afterward” means later or after that event.
How It Works in Sentences
“Afterward” functions as an adverb of time, modifying verbs. It often appears at the end of a sentence or clause.
Examples:
- “He spoke at the meeting and smiled afterward.”
- “They cleaned the house and relaxed afterward.”
It doesn’t need a hyphen, preposition, or object — it stands alone to show sequence in time.
Where “Afterward” Is Commonly Used
| Region | Preference | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| United States 🇺🇸 | ✅ “Afterward” | “We’ll grab coffee afterward.” |
| Canada 🇨🇦 | ✅ “Afterward” (slightly more formal) | “Let’s talk afterward about the details.” |
| Australia 🇦🇺 | Mixed, both accepted | “She went home afterward.” |
So, if you’re writing for an American audience or want your writing to sound clean and modern, go with “afterward.”
What Is “Afterwards”?
✅ “Afterwards” is also an adverb meaning “at a later time” or “following that.”
It’s most commonly used in British English, Irish English, and Commonwealth countries.
Meaning and Usage
The meaning is exactly the same as “afterward.” The only difference is that it ends with –s, following traditional British spelling patterns (like “towards,” “forwards,” and “backwards”).
Examples:
- “We had tea and chatted afterwards.”
- “He moved to London, and shortly afterwards met his wife.”
- “You’ll feel better afterwards.”
🎯 Grammar Tip:
“Afterwards” = same as “afterward,” but used more in British English or informal writing.
Where “Afterwards” Is Commonly Used
| Region | Preference | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom 🇬🇧 | ✅ “Afterwards” | “We went for a walk afterwards.” |
| India 🇮🇳 | ✅ “Afterwards” | “They discussed the project afterwards.” |
| New Zealand 🇳🇿 | ✅ “Afterwards” | “She left early but called afterwards.” |
| Australia 🇦🇺 | Both accepted | “We’ll go shopping afterwards.” |
💬 Summary:
“Afterwards” feels slightly more traditional and British, while “afterward” sounds more streamlined and American.
Key Differences Between “Afterward” and “Afterwards”
| Feature | Afterward | Afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | At a later time | At a later time |
| Part of Speech | Adverb | Adverb |
| Regional Usage | American English 🇺🇸 | British English 🇬🇧 |
| Formality | Slightly more formal | Common in casual speech |
| Example | “We’ll talk afterward.” | “We’ll talk afterwards.” |
| Pronunciation | /ˈæf.tɚ.wɚd/ | /ˈæf.tɚ.wɚdz/ |
🎯 Simple Rule:
If you’re writing for the U.S., use “afterward.”
If you’re writing for the U.K., use “afterwards.”
Real-Life Conversation Examples
Dialogue 1: American English
Jake: “Let’s grab lunch now and go shopping afterward.”
Emma: “Sure — sounds good.”
🎯 Lesson: In American English, “afterward” is the standard form.
Dialogue 2: British English
Liam: “We watched the match and went for a drink afterwards.”
Chloe: “Nice! That sounds like fun.”
🎯 Lesson: In British English, “afterwards” is more natural.
Dialogue 3: Grammar Class
Teacher: “Both ‘afterward’ and ‘afterwards’ are correct. It depends on where you’re from.”
Student: “So I can use either?”
Teacher: “Exactly — just stay consistent.”
🎯 Lesson: Both are acceptable — consistency matters more than preference.
Dialogue 4: Formal Email
Manager: “Please send me the report and meet me afterward.”
Intern (from London): “Got it — or as I’d say, ‘afterwards’!” 😄
🎯 Lesson: Word choice often reflects regional identity, not correctness.
Dialogue 5: Writers’ Group
Olivia: “My editor changed all my ‘afterwards’ to ‘afterward’.”
James: “That’s because your audience is American.”
🎯 Lesson: Match your spelling to your readers’ expectations.
When to Use “Afterward” vs “Afterwards”
| Context | Use “Afterward” | Use “Afterwards” |
|---|---|---|
| Writing for American readers | ✅ | ❌ |
| Writing for British or international readers | ❌ | ✅ |
| Academic or professional writing (U.S.) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Informal writing or conversation (U.K.) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Creative writing | ✅ | ✅ (based on tone) |
💡 Pro Tip:
You can use either — just don’t mix them in the same document.
Fun Fact or History Section
📜 1. The Word’s Journey Through Time
“Afterward(s)” comes from Middle English æfterweard — a combination of æfter (“after”) and -weard (“direction toward”).
Over time, English added or dropped the -s ending depending on dialect.
💬 2. The –s Ending Trend
In older British English, adverbs often ended with –s, like “towards,” “forwards,” and “backwards.”
American English later simplified them — “toward,” “forward,” “backward,” and “afterward.”
So “afterward” and “afterwards” are just two modern reflections of how English evolved across regions. 🌍
Quick Grammar Comparison: “Afterward(s)” vs Similar Words
| Word | Meaning | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Afterward / Afterwards | Later in time | “She called afterward(s).” |
| Then | Next in order | “We ate, then left.” |
| Later | At a future time | “I’ll see you later.” |
| Thereafter | Formal, means “after that time” | “The rule was enforced thereafter.” |
🎯 Tip:
Use afterward(s) when describing what happens next in a sequence — it’s more natural and conversational than “thereafter.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| ❌ Wrong | ✅ Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| “We’ll meet afterwards at noon.” (in U.S. writing) | “We’ll meet afterward at noon.” | American English drops the “s.” |
| “Let’s talk afterward.” (in U.K. writing) | “Let’s talk afterwards.” | British English prefers “afterwards.” |
| “He apologized in afterward.” | “He apologized afterward.” | “Afterward” never takes a preposition before it. |
| “Afterward(s) of the meeting, we left.” | “After the meeting, we left.” | “Afterward(s)” can’t replace “after.” |
🎯 Memory Tip:
“Afterward” is an adverb — it never connects to nouns directly.
Easy Ways to Remember the Difference
🧠 1. Match It With “Toward/Towards.”
If you write “toward”, you’ll likely use “afterward.”
If you write “towards”, you’ll naturally write “afterwards.”
🧠 2. Country Cue:
🇺🇸 USA = No “s” → “afterward.”
🇬🇧 UK = Add “s” → “afterwards.”
🧠 3. Visual Trick:
Think of the extra “s” in “afterwards” as standing for “Shakespeare” — classic and British! 🎭
Mini Practice Quiz
Choose the correct form 👇
- “We’ll grab dinner and head out ___.”
→ ✅ Afterward (American English) - “He went home, and I saw him again ___.”
→ ✅ Afterwards (British English) - “She studied hard, and ___ she passed the test.”
→ ✅ Afterward(s) (Both correct) - “They talked for hours and laughed ___.”
→ ✅ Afterwards (British tone)
🎯 Lesson: Both work — just pick one style and stick with it!
Conclusion
To sum it up:
Both “afterward” and “afterwards” mean “at a later time” and both are grammatically correct.
The only difference is regional preference:
- 🇺🇸 Use “afterward” in American English.
- 🇬🇧 Use “afterwards” in British English.
Consistency is key — don’t mix them in the same piece.
So next time you write an email, essay, or story, you’ll know exactly which version fits your audience. Whichever you choose, both will get the message across beautifully! ✨
