Have you ever typed afterward or afterwards and wondered whether one of them is wrong? You’re not alone. The extra s makes these two words look different, but the good news is simple: both afterward and afterwards are correct.
The main difference is regional preference, not meaning. Afterward is generally preferred in American English, while afterwards is especially common in British English. Cambridge currently labels afterward as US usage and afterwards as mainly UK usage.
So, should you write afterward or afterwards? Let’s look at the meaning, grammar, examples, regional differences, common mistakes, and the easiest way to choose the right form.
Afterward or Afterwards: Which Is Correct?
The short answer is that both are correct.
Both words function as adverbs and mean at a later time, after something has happened, or subsequently.
What Does “Afterward” Mean?
Afterward means something happens later than an event that has already been mentioned.
For example:
We finished the meeting and went for coffee afterward.
Here, afterward means after the meeting.
More examples:
- I finished my homework and watched a movie afterward.
- She apologized afterward.
- We went home shortly afterward.
- He realized his mistake afterward.
- They discussed the problem afterward.
What Does “Afterwards” Mean?
Afterwards has essentially the same meaning.
For example:
We finished the meeting and went for coffee afterwards.
The meaning has not changed. The sentence simply uses the form that is more common in British English.
Cambridge defines afterwards as meaning “after the time mentioned” and identifies it as mainly UK usage, while noting that US English usually uses afterward.
Quick Answer
| Word | Correct? | Common Preference | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afterward | Yes | American English | At a later time |
| Afterwards | Yes | British English | At a later time |
Easy rule: If you’re writing American English, afterward is usually the safest choice. If you’re writing British English, afterwards is completely natural.
Afterward vs Afterwards: What Is the Difference?
The biggest difference between afterward and afterwards is regional usage.
There is no important difference in meaning or grammatical function.
Afterward in American English
American English generally favors the shorter form:
We went to dinner afterward.
She called me afterward.
I’ll explain everything afterward.
If your website, school, company, or publication follows American English, afterward is a natural choice.
Afterwards in British English
British English commonly uses the form ending in -s:
We went to dinner afterwards.
She called me afterwards.
I’ll explain everything afterwards.
This form is also common in other varieties of English influenced by British usage.
Is One More Formal?
No.
Afterward is not inherently more formal than afterwards, and afterwards is not inherently less formal.
The distinction is primarily geographical and stylistic.
For example, both of these sentences are perfectly acceptable:
The researchers discussed the findings afterward.
The researchers discussed the findings afterwards.
The choice depends largely on the variety of English being used.
How to Use Afterward and Afterwards Correctly
Because both words are adverbs, they normally describe when an action happens.
Using “Afterward” at the End of a Sentence
This is one of the most common patterns.
We had lunch and went shopping afterward.
She felt much better afterward.
He regretted his decision afterward.
The word tells the reader that the second action happened after the previously mentioned event.
Using “Afterwards” at the End of a Sentence
You can use afterwards in exactly the same way.
We had lunch and went shopping afterwards.
She felt much better afterwards.
He regretted his decision afterwards.
There is no change in meaning.
Using Them With “Soon” and “Shortly”
Both forms can follow words such as soon and shortly.
Examples:
- soon afterward
- soon afterwards
- shortly afterward
- shortly afterwards
For example:
The company announced the change, and shortly afterward, customers received an email.
Or:
The company announced the change, and shortly afterwards, customers received an email.
Both are correct.
Afterward or Afterwards in Real-Life Writing
The best way to understand the difference is to see how these words work in everyday situations.
Example 1: Casual Conversation
American style:
We can grab coffee afterward.
British style:
We can grab coffee afterwards.
Both sound natural within their respective varieties of English.
Example 2: Academic Writing
American English:
The participants completed the survey and were interviewed afterward.
British English:
The participants completed the survey and were interviewed afterwards.
Again, neither version is grammatically wrong.
Example 3: Business Writing
American English:
I’ll send you the documents afterward.
British English:
I’ll send you the documents afterwards.
The important thing is consistency with your chosen variety of English.
Example 4: Blog Writing
If your article targets American readers:
We explain the concept first and provide practical examples afterward.
If it targets British readers:
We explain the concept first and provide practical examples afterwards.
This small regional choice can make your writing feel more natural to your intended audience.
Afterward vs Afterwards: A Simple Comparison
If you are still unsure which one to choose, use this quick guide.
| Feature | Afterward | Afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| Part of speech | Adverb | Adverb |
| Meaning | At a later time | At a later time |
| American English | Very common | Also understood |
| British English | Understood | Very common |
| Meaning changes? | No | No |
| Correct spelling? | Yes | Yes |
| Formality difference? | No significant difference | No significant difference |
| Best approach | Match your English variety | Match your English variety |
The One-Second Decision Rule
Ask yourself:
“Which variety of English am I writing?”
If the answer is American English, choose afterward.
If the answer is British English, choose afterwards.
If your audience is international, either form can work. Just avoid switching randomly between styles in the same piece of writing.
Common Mistakes With Afterward and Afterwards
Although the two words are easy once you understand the regional difference, writers still make a few common mistakes.
Mistake 1: Thinking “Afterwards” Is Incorrect
Some writers assume that the extra s makes afterwards incorrect.
That’s not true.
Cambridge recognizes afterwards as a standard adverb and identifies it as mainly UK usage.
Incorrect assumption:
Afterwards is wrong because the correct word is afterward.
Better understanding:
Both forms are correct; regional preference determines which one sounds more natural.
Mistake 2: Thinking “Afterward” Is Only American and Therefore Wrong Elsewhere
That’s also too strict.
British speakers understand afterward, and it can appear in English outside the United States. The issue is preference, not whether the word is grammatically valid.
Mistake 3: Switching Between Forms Without a Reason
Consider:
We finished the lesson afterward. Afterwards, we went home.
This isn’t grammatically incorrect, but the sudden switch can look inconsistent.
A cleaner style would be:
We finished the lesson afterward. Afterward, we went home.
Or:
We finished the lesson afterwards. Afterwards, we went home.
Consistency makes your writing look more polished.
Mistake 4: Confusing “Afterward” With “Afterword”
Be careful with this pair:
- afterward = at a later time
- afterword = a concluding section of a book
For example:
We discussed the issue afterward.
But:
The author included an afterword at the end of the book.
These words sound similar but have completely different meanings.
A Real-Life Example: Choosing the Right Form for Your Audience
Imagine that a writer is preparing two versions of the same educational article.
The first version is designed for readers in the United States. Throughout the article, the writer uses American spelling and vocabulary. They write:
Students completed the exercise and reviewed their answers afterward.
This is a natural choice for American English.
Now imagine the same article is being prepared for a British audience. The writer changes the sentence to:
Students completed the exercise and reviewed their answers afterwards.
Nothing about the action has changed. The students still reviewed their answers after completing the exercise. Only the regional form has changed.
This is an important lesson for bloggers, students, editors, and content writers: correct English is not always about finding one universally “correct” spelling. Sometimes it is about understanding the variety of English your audience expects.
Current dictionary evidence supports this distinction. Cambridge marks afterward as US and afterwards as mainly UK, while Collins lists afterward with afterwards as an alternative and defines the word as meaning “at a later time” or “subsequently.”
So if you’re writing an American-focused article, afterward is an excellent default. If you’re writing for a British audience, afterwards is equally appropriate.
Current Usage Data and Trends for 2025–2026
Language changes gradually, but the current reference sources available in 2025–2026 continue to support the same basic distinction: both forms remain established, while regional preference separates them.
What Current Dictionaries Show
A review of three established reference sources gives a consistent picture:
- Cambridge Dictionary afterward is marked US, while afterwards is marked mainly UK.
- Collins Dictionary recognizes afterward and afterwards as alternative forms and defines the word as referring to a later time.
- VOA Learning English explains that afterwards is more common in British English and that the two forms have no difference in meaning.
That gives us a useful 3-source reference check: the major sources agree that this is primarily a regional usage question rather than a right-versus-wrong grammar problem.
What This Means for Writers in 2026
The practical takeaway is simple:
- Writing for the United States → prefer afterward
- Writing for the United Kingdom → prefer afterwards
- Writing for an international audience → either is acceptable
- Writing for SEO → don’t create separate pages simply because of the extra s
- Editing an existing article → prioritize consistency and audience expectations
There is no need to treat the two forms as competing spellings where one must be eliminated. They are established variants with the same core meaning.
Afterward or Afterwards: Which Should You Use?
Here’s the easiest recommendation.
Choose “Afterward” If:
- Your audience is primarily American.
- Your website follows US English.
- Your organization uses American style.
- You want the common American form.
- You’re writing American academic or professional content.
Example:
I’ll call you afterward.
Choose “Afterwards” If:
- Your audience is primarily British.
- Your website follows UK English.
- Your organization uses British style.
- You’re writing for readers accustomed to British English.
Example:
I’ll call you afterwards.
Use Either for an International Audience
If your audience comes from different English-speaking regions, both forms will be understood.
The most important thing is to maintain a consistent editorial style.
For example, if your entire website follows American English, consistently using afterward is a sensible choice.
Quick Checklist for Choosing the Correct Form
Before publishing, ask yourself these questions:
- Am I writing in American or British English?
- Does my website already follow a particular English variety?
- Am I using the same form consistently?
- Does afterward/afterwards mean “at a later time” in my sentence?
- Am I accidentally confusing afterward with afterword?
- Does the word naturally describe when an action happens?
If you can answer these questions, you can confidently choose the appropriate form.
Mini Quiz: Afterward or Afterwards
1. The Quick Grammar Check
Which sentence uses the correct form?
A. We went home afterward.
B. We went home afterwords.
C. We went home afterword.
D. We went home after wards.
Answer: A. We went home afterward.
Afterward is a correct adverb meaning “at a later time.”
2. Pick Your Perfect Word
Which word is commonly preferred in American English?
A. Afterwards
B. Afterward
C. Afterword
D. After ward
Answer: B. Afterward
American English generally prefers afterward, while British English commonly uses afterwards.
3. British English Challenge
Which form is especially common in British English?
A. Afterward
B. Afterwords
C. Afterwards
D. After word
Answer: C. Afterwards
Afterwards is especially common in British English.
4. Same Meaning, Different Style
Which pair has essentially the same meaning?
A. Afterward and afterwards
B. Afterward and afterword
C. Afterwards and afterwarded
D. Afterword and afterwords
Answer: A. Afterward and afterwards
Both mean at a later time or subsequently.
5. Complete the Sentence
“I finished my homework and watched TV ______.”
A. afterword
B. afterwards
C. after wards
D. afterwords
Answer: B. afterwards
Afterwards correctly indicates that watching TV happened later.
6. Spot the Book Word
Which word means a concluding section of a book?
A. Afterward
B. Afterwards
C. Afterword
D. After wards
Answer: C. Afterword
An afterword is a section added near the end of a book. It is different from afterward.
7. American Writing Choice
You’re writing an article specifically for a U.S. audience. Which form is usually the better choice?
A. Afterwards
B. Afterword
C. Afterward
D. After words
Answer: C. Afterward
Afterward is the more typical American English form.
8. British Writing Choice
You’re writing for a British audience. Which option would be a natural choice?
A. Afterwards
B. Afterword
C. After wards
D. Afterwords
Answer: A. Afterwards
British English commonly uses afterwards.
9. Is It Really Wrong?
A friend says, “Afterwards is incorrect English.” What is the best response?
A. Yes, always
B. No, both forms are correct
C. Only students can use it
D. It is correct only before nouns
Answer: B. No, both forms are correct
Afterward and afterwards are both established English forms.
10. Find the Natural Sentence
Which sentence sounds grammatically natural?
A. She apologized afterward.
B. She apologized afterword.
C. She apologized afterwords.
D. She apologized after wards.
Answer: A. She apologized afterward.
Afterward works as an adverb telling us when she apologized.
11. Meaning Matters
What does afterward usually mean?
A. Before something
B. At a later time
C. At the same time
D. Without something
Answer: B. At a later time
Afterward refers to something happening after an earlier event.
12. The Extra “S” Test
Does adding s to create afterwards change the basic meaning?
A. Yes, completely
B. Yes, it changes the tense
C. No, the basic meaning stays the same
D. Yes, it changes the word into a noun
Answer: C. No, the basic meaning stays the same
The main difference is regional preference rather than meaning.
13. Choose the Better American Style
Which sentence follows a typical American English preference?
A. I’ll call you afterwards.
B. I’ll call you afterward.
C. I’ll call you afterword.
D. I’ll call you afterwords.
Answer: B. I’ll call you afterward.
American English generally favors afterward.
14. Choose the Better British Style
Which sentence follows a typical British English preference?
A. I’ll call you afterward.
B. I’ll call you afterword.
C. I’ll call you afterwards.
D. I’ll call you after words.
Answer: C. I’ll call you afterwards.
Afterwards is a common British English choice.
15. Consistency Check
Which sentence has the most consistent style?
A. We ate afterward. Afterwards, we went home.
B. We ate afterward. Afterward, we went home.
C. We ate afterword. Afterwards, we went home.
D. We ate after words. Afterward, we went home.
Answer: B. We ate afterward. Afterward, we went home.
Using the same regional form throughout a piece of writing creates better stylistic consistency.
16. Meaning in Context
“We had a long meeting and discussed the results afterward.”
What does afterward refer to?
A. Before the meeting
B. During the meeting only
C. After the meeting
D. Before the results existed
Answer: C. After the meeting
Here, afterward tells us that discussing the results happened later.
17. Soon + Which Form?
Which sentence is correctly written?
A. We left soon afterward.
B. We left soon afterword.
C. We left soon afterwords.
D. We left soon after wards.
Answer: A. We left soon afterward.
Soon afterward is a standard expression meaning shortly after an event.
18. Shortly + Which Form?
Which sentence is correct?
A. She arrived shortly afterword.
B. She arrived shortly afterwards.
C. She arrived shortly after words.
D. She arrived shortly after wards.
Answer: B. She arrived shortly afterwards.
Shortly afterwards is a natural construction, especially in British English.
19. Grammar Detective
Which option is an adverb meaning “at a later time”?
A. Afterword
B. Afterward
C. After words
D. After ward
Answer: B. Afterward
Afterward functions as an adverb and indicates a later time.
20. Don’t Confuse These!
Which sentence uses afterword correctly?
A. We went shopping afterword.
B. She called me afterword.
C. The author included an afterword in the book.
D. We ate dinner afterword.
Answer: C. The author included an afterword in the book.
An afterword is a section of a book, not an expression meaning “later.”
21. International Audience Test
You’re writing for readers from many English-speaking countries. What is the best approach?
A. Claim one form is always wrong
B. Use both randomly
C. Choose a consistent English variety
D. Avoid all adverbs
Answer: C. Choose a consistent English variety
Consistency helps your writing maintain a clear editorial style.
22. Find the Correct Spelling
Which spelling is correct?
A. Afterword
B. Afterwords
C. Afterward
D. All of these can be correct words
Answer: D. All of these can be correct words
Afterward, afterwards, and afterword are real English words, but they have different meanings or usage.
23. Which Sentence Means “Later”?
Which sentence clearly means that the action happened later?
A. We talked afterward.
B. We talked afterword.
C. We talked after words.
D. We talked before afterward.
Answer: A. We talked afterward.
Here, afterward means the talking happened at a later time.
24. Final Editing Challenge
You’re proofreading an American English blog. Which sentence would you normally choose?
A. The team celebrated afterwards.
B. The team celebrated afterword.
C. The team celebrated afterward.
D. The team celebrated after words.
Answer: C. The team celebrated afterward.
For American English, afterward is generally the preferred form.
25. The Ultimate Word Choice
Which statement best summarizes afterward vs. afterwards?
A. Only afterward is correct
B. Only afterwards is correct
C. Both are correct, with regional preferences
D. Neither is standard English
Answer: C. Both are correct, with regional preferences
Afterward is generally preferred in American English, while afterwards is especially common in British English. The basic meaning remains the same.
FAQs
1. Is “afterward” or “afterwards” correct?
Both are correct. Afterward is generally preferred in American English, while afterwards is especially common in British English.
2. Is “afterwards” grammatically correct?
Yes. Afterwards is grammatically correct and is a standard adverb meaning “at a later time” or “after something happens.”
3. Is “afterward” American or British English?
Afterward is especially associated with American English. British English commonly uses afterwards, although afterward is still understandable and can occur in British writing.
4. Is “afterwards” more formal than “afterward”?
No. Neither word is inherently more formal. The main distinction is regional usage, not formality.
5. Can I use “afterwards” in American English?
Yes. American readers will understand afterwards. However, afterward is generally the more typical American choice.
6. Can I use “afterward” in British English?
Yes. It is understandable, but afterwards is generally more characteristic of British usage.
7. Do “afterward” and “afterwards” have the same meaning?
Yes. Both mean at a later time, after something has happened, or subsequently.
8. What is the easiest way to remember the difference?
Think US = afterward and UK = afterwards.
The extra s is mainly a regional preference; it does not create a different meaning.
Final Verdict: Afterward or Afterwards?
So, afterward or afterwards which one is correct?
Both are correct.
Use afterward when following American English, and use afterwards when following British English. Neither form changes the basic meaning of the sentence, and neither is automatically more formal or grammatically superior.
For example:
American English: We went home afterward.
British English: We went home afterwards.
The smartest approach is not to worry about which word is “right” in isolation. Instead, identify your audience, follow the appropriate English variety, and stay consistent throughout your writing.
If you’re creating content for a US audience, afterward is a strong default. If your readers primarily use British English, afterwards is the natural choice.
Now that you know the difference, you can confidently use afterward or afterwards without second-guessing yourself.
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Helpful References
I’m Muhammad Bilal, an SEO Expert and the founder of Gramoxa. With 1 year of experience in SEO and educational content, I create simple, accurate, and practical English grammar guides. My mission is to help students, professionals, and English learners write with confidence and improve their communication skills every day.
