Afterwards or Afterward: Which One Is Correct?

Have you ever finished writing a sentence and paused over one small question: should I write “afterwards” or “afterward”? You are definitely not alone. Both words look almost identical, have the same general meaning, and are widely used in English. So why do two versions exist, and which one should you choose?

The short answer is simple: both afterwards and afterward are correct. The main difference usually comes down to regional preference, particularly between British and American English.

In this guide, we will explain afterwards or afterward, their meaning, grammar, pronunciation, usage, and the differences between them. By the end, you will know exactly when to use each one without second-guessing yourself.

Afterwards or Afterward: What Is the Difference?

The difference between afterwards and afterward is mostly a matter of regional English preference.

• Afterward is more common in American English.
• Afterwards is more common in British English.
• Both words mean later, after something happens, or at a later time.

For example:

• We went for dinner afterward.
• We went for dinner afterwards.

Both sentences are grammatically correct and communicate exactly the same idea.

The easiest way to remember it

Think of the “s” in afterwards as a regional spelling preference rather than a change in meaning.

Just like other British and American English differences, the choice often depends on which style of English you are using.

Afterwards or Afterward Meaning

The afterwards or afterward meaning is essentially the same: at a later time or after a particular event has happened.

For example:

Sarah finished her meeting and went home afterward.

This means Sarah went home after the meeting ended.

Similarly:

Sarah finished her meeting and went home afterwards.

The meaning does not change.

Simple definition

Afterward / Afterwards = later or after something else happens

Here are a few more examples:

• We watched a movie and talked afterward.
• He felt tired afterwards.
• Please call me afterward.
• They went shopping afterwards.

Is It Afterwards or Afterward?

If you are asking, “Is it afterwards or afterward?”, the answer is: either can be correct.

However, you should consider your audience and writing style.

Use “afterward” when:

• Writing primarily for an American audience.
• Following American English spelling conventions.
• Using US-based publications or style guides.

Use “afterwards” when:

• Writing primarily for a British audience.
• Following British English conventions.
• Writing for readers in the UK or countries that commonly use British English.

That said, most English speakers will understand both versions without any difficulty.

Afterward vs. Afterwards: British and American English

One of the biggest reasons people get confused about afterwards or afterward is the difference between British and American English.

Word	Common Usage
Afterward	More common in American English
Afterwards	More common in British English

This pattern appears in several English words. American and British English often have slightly different spelling preferences while keeping the same meaning.

For example:

• Toward vs. towards
• Backward vs. backwards
• Forward vs. forwards

The important thing is consistency. If you are writing an article using British English, try to maintain British spelling throughout. The same applies to American English.

How to Use Afterward in a Sentence

Afterward is an adverb, which means it describes when something happens.

Here are some natural examples:

• We can discuss the details afterward.
• She apologized afterward.
• The students went home afterward.
• I realized my mistake shortly afterward.
• We had coffee afterward.

In each example, afterward refers to something happening later.

Example in context

The presentation ended at noon. Afterward, everyone gathered for lunch.

Here, afterward means after the presentation ended.

How to Use Afterwards in a Sentence

Afterwards works in exactly the same way as afterward.

Examples include:

• We went out for dessert afterwards.
• He called me afterwards to explain everything.
• Afterwards, they decided to change their plans.
• I felt much better afterwards.
• Let’s talk about it afterwards.

Again, the meaning remains the same. The main difference is simply the preferred version in different forms of English.

Can You Use Afterwards and Afterward Interchangeably?

In most everyday situations, yes. Afterwards and afterward can be used interchangeably because they have the same meaning and grammatical function.

For example:

We had dinner afterward.

You could also write:

We had dinner afterwards.

Both are correct.

However, if you are writing professionally, academically, or for a website, it is better to choose one version and stay consistent throughout the content.

Mixing British and American spelling styles can make writing look less polished.

Afterwards or Afterward: Grammar Rules

From a grammar perspective, both afterward and afterwards are adverbs.

They usually refer to something that happens later or following another event.

Correct usage:

• We went home afterward.
• Afterwards, we went home.
• She felt happier afterward.
• He apologized afterwards.

Incorrect usage:

 We went afterward the meeting.

This is incorrect because afterward does not normally take a direct object.

Instead, you could say:

 We went home after the meeting.

Or:

 The meeting ended, and we went home afterward.

This is an important distinction.

Afterward vs. After: What Is the Difference?

Although afterward and after are related, they are not always used in the same way.

“After” can be a preposition

For example:

We went home after the movie.

Here, after is followed by the noun phrase the movie.

“Afterward” is an adverb

For example:

We watched the movie and went home afterward.

Here, afterward refers back to the previous event.

Compare the two:

• We went home after the movie.
• We watched the movie. We went home afterward.

Both communicate a similar idea, but the sentence structure is different.

Common Mistakes With Afterwards and Afterward

Even though these words are simple, a few mistakes are common.

1. Thinking one version is always wrong

Some people assume that only afterward or only afterwards is correct.

That is not true.

Both are standard English words. The choice depends mainly on regional preference and writing style.

2. Mixing British and American English

For example, a writer might use:

• colour
• favourite
• afterwards

and then suddenly switch to:

• color
• favorite
• afterward

While readers will still understand the content, consistency is generally better.

Choose one English style and stick with it.

3. Using “afterward” before a noun

Incorrect:

 We met afterward the class.

Correct:

 We met after the class.

Or:

 The class ended, and we met afterward.

Remember that afterward usually stands alone as an adverb.

4. Adding unnecessary words

Sometimes writers use phrases such as:

Afterward after the meeting, we went home.

This sounds repetitive.

A better version would be:

After the meeting, we went home.

Or:

The meeting ended, and we went home afterward.

Is “Afterwards” More Formal Than “Afterward”?

Not necessarily.

Neither afterwards nor afterward is automatically more formal. Both can appear in casual conversations, professional writing, and formal contexts.

For example:

Casual:

Let’s grab coffee afterward.

Professional:

We can discuss the report afterward.

Formal:

The committee met afterwards to review the findings.

The level of formality depends more on the overall sentence and context than on whether you choose the version with an s.

Should You Use Afterwards or Afterward in SEO Writing?

If you are creating content for a website, choosing between afterwards or afterward can depend on your target audience.

For a US audience

Use afterward more often.

For a UK audience

Use afterwards more often.

For an international audience

You can use either version, but consistency is important.

If your article targets a keyword such as “afterwards or afterward,” it can also be helpful to mention both naturally because users may search for either spelling.

The key is to avoid keyword stuffing. Write naturally and focus on answering the reader’s question clearly.

Afterwards or Afterward Grammar Girl: What Is the General Rule?

People searching for “afterwards or afterward Grammar Girl” are usually looking for a simple grammar explanation about which version is correct.

The general rule remains straightforward:

• Afterward and afterwards have the same meaning.
• Afterward is generally preferred in American English.
• Afterwards is generally more common in British English.
• Both function as adverbs.
• Neither should normally be followed directly by a noun.

So, if you are unsure which one to choose, think about your intended audience and the version of English you are writing in.

Examples of Afterwards and Afterward in Everyday Sentences

Here are some more examples to make the difference easier to understand.

Using “afterward”

1. We went for a walk afterward.
2. She called me afterward.
3. The event ended, and everyone left afterward.
4. I felt tired afterward.
5. We can talk about it afterward.

Using “afterwards”

1. We went for a walk afterwards.
2. She called me afterwards.
3. The event ended, and everyone left afterwards.
4. I felt tired afterwards.
5. We can talk about it afterwards.

As you can see, replacing one with the other does not change the meaning.

A Quick Trick to Choose the Right Word

If you are still wondering “afterwards or afterward?”, use this simple guide:

Choose afterward if:

• Your audience is mainly American.
• You are following US English.
• Your organization uses American spelling.

Choose afterwards if:

• Your audience is mainly British.
• You are following UK English.
• You prefer British spelling conventions.

Choose either if:

• Your audience is international.
• No particular style guide is required.

Just remember to stay consistent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is afterwards or afterward correct?

Yes, both afterwards and afterward are correct. They have the same meaning and usually differ only in regional preference.

Which is correct: afterward or afterwards?

Both are correct. Afterward is more common in American English, while afterwards is more common in British English.

What does afterward mean?

Afterward means later or after something has happened.

For example:

We went home afterward.

What does afterwards mean?

Afterwards also means later or following a particular event.

For example:

We went home afterwards.

Is afterward an adverb?

Yes. Afterward is an adverb that refers to something happening at a later time.

Can afterward be followed by a noun?

Generally, no.

Instead of:

 afterward the meeting

Use:

 after the meeting

Or:

 The meeting ended, and we talked afterward.

Is “afterwards” British English?

Yes, afterwards is more commonly associated with British English, although it is understood in other varieties of English as well.

Is “afterward” American English?

Yes, afterward is more commonly used in American English.

Should I use afterward or afterwards in formal writing?

Either can be used in formal writing. The most important thing is to follow the spelling style required by your audience, publication, or style guide.

Conclusion: Afterwards or Afterward?

So, afterwards or afterward—which one should you use? The good news is that both are correct.

The main difference is regional preference: afterward is more common in American English, while afterwards is more commonly used in British English. Both mean the same thing and function as adverbs describing something that happens later.

If you are still unsure, focus on your audience and stay consistent with your chosen English style. Once you understand this simple distinction, choosing between afterwards or afterward becomes much easier.

Want to improve your English even further? Explore related grammar topics such as toward vs. towards, further vs. farther, and afterward vs. after to build stronger and more natural writing skills.