Afterward and afterwards are both correct English words. They are adverbs that refer to something happening at a later time, after an event or time already mentioned.
The main difference is regional usage. In American English, afterward is the usual form. Afterwards is especially common in British English.
That means an American reader will understand afterwards, but afterward generally fits US English more naturally. The difference is not a change in meaning or a major grammar rule.
Quick Answer
If you are writing in US English, use afterward as your normal choice.
Both forms mean essentially “at a later time” or “after that.”
- Afterward — usual in American English
- Afterwards — especially common in British English
- Meaning — the same
- Part of speech — adverb
- Formality — neither is inherently more formal
For example:
We finished the meeting and talked afterward.
You could also write:
We finished the meeting and talked afterwards.
The second sentence is grammatically correct. Afterward is simply the more typical choice for a US audience.
Why People Confuse Them
The two forms differ only by the final s, so it is natural to wonder whether that letter changes the word’s meaning.
It does not.
Afterward and afterwards both point to a later time. The final s is part of the word form; it does not make the word plural, possessive, or more emphatic.
The confusion also comes from regional English. Readers who are familiar with British English may see afterwards frequently, while US readers are more likely to encounter afterward.
So the question is usually not “Which spelling is grammatically correct?” It is “Which form fits the English variety I am using?”
Key Differences At A Glance
| Context | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| General US English | afterward | It is the usual American form. |
| US school writing | afterward | It fits the expected US-English variety. |
| US workplace writing | afterward | It is natural and neutral for American readers. |
| British English | afterwards | The form is especially common in British usage. |
| Casual conversation | Either | Both forms are grammatically acceptable. |
| Formal writing | Either | Formality does not determine the choice. |
Additional comparison
| Feature | Afterward | Afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| Part of speech | Adverb | Adverb |
| Basic meaning | At a later time | At a later time |
| US usage | Usual | Accepted but less typical |
| British usage | Used | Especially common |
| Meaning difference | None | None |
| Formality | Neutral | Neutral |
Meaning and Usage Difference
Both words describe something that happens after an earlier event or time.
For example:
The interview ended, and we spoke afterward.
This means the speaking happened after the interview.
The same idea works with afterwards:
The interview ended, and we spoke afterwards.
There is no general rule saying that afterward means “immediately later” while afterwards means “much later.” The surrounding context provides that information.
You can also use either form with expressions such as soon or shortly:
She called me shortly afterward.
She called me shortly afterwards.
Both are correct.
The difference remains mainly one of regional preference.
Tone, Context, and Formality
Neither afterward nor afterwards is inherently more formal.
Both can appear in everyday conversation:
I’ll call you afterward.
Both can also appear in professional writing:
The committee reviewed the proposal afterward.
The important consideration for a US audience is regional familiarity. Afterward is generally the more natural American choice.
Afterwards is not slang, incorrect English, or automatically informal. It simply has stronger association with British English.
For American writing, consistency is also helpful. If the rest of a document follows US English, using afterward throughout avoids an unnecessary shift in regional style.
Which One Should You Use?
For a US audience, afterward is the best default.
Use it in:
- School assignments
- Business emails
- Professional documents
- General American writing
- Everyday US conversation
- Articles intended for US readers
For example:
Please send me the updated file afterward.
We can discuss the issue afterward.
Afterward, everyone returned to work.
You can still use afterwards in American English. It is a standard word and will not normally cause a grammar problem.
If your audience is British, afterwards may sound more familiar:
We went out for coffee afterwards.
The practical rule is simple: choose the form that matches your intended variety of English.
When One Choice Sounds Wrong
Neither word becomes grammatically wrong simply because of the audience.
Instead, one form may sound less natural because it does not match the regional style around it.
For example, an otherwise US-English document might consistently use American spellings and expressions but suddenly use afterwards. A reader may notice the regional difference, even though the sentence remains grammatical.
Likewise, afterward is not an error when used by a British writer. It may simply sound more American than afterwards.
So avoid thinking:
❌ Afterwards is wrong.
A better understanding is:
Afterwards is correct, but afterward is usually the more natural US choice.
Common Mistakes (and Quick Fixes)
Mistake 1: Treating “afterwards” as incorrect
Incorrect assumption: “Afterwards” is a spelling mistake.
Fix: Both forms are standard. Use afterward when you want the usual US-English form.
Mistake 2: Thinking the final “s” changes the meaning
Incorrect assumption: One form means “immediately after,” while the other means “later.”
Fix: Both refer to a later time. The surrounding sentence supplies the timing.
Mistake 3: Assuming one is more formal
Incorrect assumption: Afterward is formal and afterwards is casual.
Fix: The difference is primarily regional, not formal versus informal.
Mistake 4: Switching forms without a reason
A document can contain both forms, but unnecessary switching may look inconsistent.
Fix: For US English, choose afterward and use it consistently unless there is a specific reason to preserve another regional style.
Everyday Examples
Here are natural examples for US English:
- We grabbed lunch afterward.
- Afterward, I went back to the office.
- She called me shortly afterward.
- The kids went outside afterward.
- We can review the notes afterward.
- He apologized afterward for missing the appointment.
- The team met again soon afterward.
- I realized my mistake afterward.
The same sentences can use afterwards without changing their basic meaning:
- We grabbed lunch afterwards.
- Afterwards, I went back to the office.
- She called me shortly afterwards.
For American readers, however, afterward will generally be the more characteristic choice.
Dictionary-Style Word Details
Verb
- Afterward: Not used as a verb in standard US English. It functions as an adverb.
- Afterwards: Not used as a verb in standard US English. It functions as an adverb.
Noun
- Afterward: Not commonly used as a noun in standard US English. Its normal role in this comparison is adverbial.
- Afterwards: Not commonly used as a noun in standard US English. Its normal role is also adverbial.
Synonyms
- Afterward: Closest plain alternatives include later, after that, and subsequently, depending on context.
- Afterwards: Closest plain alternatives include later, after that, and subsequently, depending on context.
The clearest antonym for the time relationship is before, although it is not a direct replacement for either word.
Example Sentences
- Afterward: We discussed the results afterward.
- Afterwards: We discussed the results afterwards.
Both sentences say that the discussion happened after the results-related event or period already understood from context.
Word History
- Afterward: The word has Old English roots and developed from an earlier form related to “after” and the directional suffix -ward.
- Afterwards: The form has the same historical base, with the additional -s form associated with the adverbial pattern.
The modern choice is primarily a regional usage matter, not a difference in historical meaning.
Phrases Containing
Common combinations work with both forms:
- shortly afterward / shortly afterwards
- soon afterward / soon afterwards
- immediately afterward / immediately afterwards
- right afterward / right afterwards
For US English, the versions without the final s are generally the natural default.
FAQs
Is “afterward” or “afterwards” correct?
Both are correct. Afterward is the usual choice in American English, while afterwards is especially common in British English. Neither form is a grammar error, and both mean that something happens later than an event already mentioned.
Is “afterwards” wrong in American English?
No. Afterwards is accepted in American English and will be understood easily. It is simply less characteristic of US usage than afterward. If your goal is a natural US-English style, afterward is the safer default.
Is “afterward” more formal than “afterwards”?
No. The difference is mainly regional, not a difference in formality. Both forms work in conversation, school writing, business communication, journalism, and other formal or informal contexts.
Do “afterward” and “afterwards” mean the same thing?
Yes. Both mean “at a later time” or “after that.” The extra s does not create a different time meaning. Context determines how soon or how long after the earlier event the action occurs.
Can I use “afterwards” in a US school paper?
Yes. It is grammatically acceptable, but afterward will usually fit American English more naturally. If your instructor or publication follows a specific style guide, follow that guide rather than treating afterwards as an error.
Can I start a sentence with “afterward” or “afterwards”?
Yes. Both can begin a sentence when they refer back to an earlier event or time. For example, “Afterward, we reviewed the notes” and “Afterwards, we reviewed the notes” are both grammatically sound.
Conclusion
Afterward and afterwards are both correct, and they have the same basic meaning: something happens at a later time.
For US English, afterward is the usual choice. Afterwards is especially common in British English, although American readers understand it as well.
The difference is therefore mainly regional, not grammatical or formal. If you are writing for a US audience, choosing afterward gives your writing the most natural American-English fit.
