Afterward vs Afterwards: Which One Is Correct?

Last updated: October 3, 2026

You’re typing an email and you stop mid-sentence. “Let’s grab coffee afterward.” Or is it “afterwards”? You stare at that extra “s” and wonder if it’s a typo waiting to happen.

Here’s the quick answer to afterward vs afterwards: both are correct, and they mean exactly the same thing. Afterward is the usual spelling in American English. Afterwards is the usual spelling in British English. Neither one is a mistake.

In this guide, you’ll learn what each word means, why two versions exist, and how to pick the right one for your readers. You’ll also see real examples, a few quick tables, and a look-alike word (afterword) that really does change the meaning.

Afterward vs Afterwards: What’s the Difference?

There’s no difference in meaning. Afterward and afterwards both mean “at a later time” or “after something has happened.” The only real difference is regional habit.

Think of it like “color” and “colour.” Same word, two spellings, and the one you choose depends on where you (or your readers) live.

Here’s how it looks in a simple side-by-side:

If you only remember one thing from this article, remember that table. You can swap one word for the other in any sentence and the meaning won’t budge.

What Does Afterward Mean?

Afterward means “later” or “after that.” It points to something that happens following an event you’ve already mentioned.

You use it when you want to say “first this happened, then that happened” without repeating the first event.

Here are a few quick examples:

• “I watched the game, and afterward I called my brother.”
• “The movie was fine. Afterward, we argued about the ending for an hour.”
• “She felt nervous before the exam but relaxed afterward.”

Notice that afterward usually sits at the end of a sentence or right after a comma. It doesn’t need anything after it, because the earlier event is already clear from the sentence before.

What Does Afterwards Mean?

Afterwards means exactly the same thing as afterward. The extra “s” doesn’t add a new shade of meaning, a different tone, or a more formal feel.

Some people believe afterwards sounds more polished, and others think afterward sounds cleaner. Neither idea holds up. It’s just what you grew up reading.

Try these:

• “We got lost on the way there. Afterwards, we laughed about it.”
• “Nothing felt the same afterwards.”
• “Let’s talk about it afterwards.”

Swap in “afterward” for any of those and you’ve said the same thing.

Afterward vs Afterwards in American and British English

Americans lean toward afterward, and Brits lean toward afterwards. That’s the most useful rule you’ll find for this pair.

Dictionaries list both spellings as correct, and many US style guides, including the AP Stylebook, prefer afterward. British writing uses afterwards far more often. Readers in Australia, Ireland, and other places that follow British spelling habits tend to lean the same way, though you’ll see both.

Here’s a quick way to see it:

You’ve probably noticed this if you read both American and British books. Once you spot the “s,” you can guess where the writer is from.

And here’s the thing. Most readers won’t notice either spelling at all. They’ll read straight past it, which is exactly what good writing should let them do.

Where Do Afterward and Afterwards Come From?

Both words come from Old English. They trace back to a form written as “æfterweard,” which combined “æfter” (after) with “-weard,” a suffix meaning “in the direction of.”

That same “-ward” ending shows up in words you already use: forward, backward, upward, downward, homeward. It gives a word the sense of moving in a direction, or in this case, moving toward a later point in time.

The “s” version came later. In English, an “-s” ending was often added to make adverbs, similar to words like “always,” “sometimes,” and “nowadays.” So “afterward” picked up a cousin, “afterwards.”

Both versions stuck around for centuries. Over time, American English favored the shorter form, while British English kept using the longer one more often. That’s why you see the split today.

It’s a nice reminder that English doesn’t always “pick a winner.” Sometimes it just keeps both and lets writers sort it out.

Examples of Afterward and Afterwards in Real Sentences

Seeing both words in real situations makes the choice feel less confusing. Here’s how they show up in everyday writing.

In Texts and Group Chats

Most people don’t think about the spelling in a text. You just type what comes out.

• “Dinner at 7, then we’re hitting the arcade afterward.”
• “I’ll call you afterwards, okay? Need to finish this first.”
• “Study now, scroll afterward.”
• “Everyone’s going to the game and then afterwards to Jake’s place.”

In casual chats, no one will judge either version. Use the one that feels right.

In Emails and Workplace Writing

At work, consistency matters more than the spelling itself. Pick one and stick with it across the whole email or document.

• “We’ll review the numbers in the meeting and share the notes afterward.”
• “Please complete the form and send it back. I’ll confirm receipt afterwards.”
• “The training runs until noon, with a Q&A session afterward.”
• “Once the contract is signed, we can discuss next steps afterwards.”

If your company uses a style guide, check what it says. Many US companies follow AP or Chicago style, and UK companies often follow their own house rules.

In Stories and Formal Writing

Writers love these words because they move a story forward without a heavy transition.

• “The storm passed quickly, but the town was quiet for days afterward.”
• “He never spoke about the war, either during or afterwards.”
• “The applause was loud, and afterward, she couldn’t remember a single word she’d said.”

Both feel natural here. A US publisher will likely edit to afterward, and a UK publisher will likely edit to afterwards, which is why you’ll see different versions of the same book on either side of the Atlantic.

Is Afterward an Adverb? The Grammar Behind It

Yes, both afterward and afterwards are adverbs. An adverb tells you when, where, or how something happens. Here, both words tell you when: later.

That also means neither word can do what other parts of speech do. Let’s clear up a few common mix-ups.

• They aren’t prepositions. A preposition needs an object after it. You can say “after dinner,” but you can’t say “afterward dinner.”
• They aren’t conjunctions. You can’t join two clauses with them the way you would with “after.” “After I ate, I left” works. “Afterward I ate, I left” doesn’t.
• They aren’t adjectives. You wouldn’t say “the afterward meeting.” Use “the later meeting” or “the follow-up meeting” instead.

Here’s a simple comparison that shows how “after” and “afterward” behave differently:

A quick test: if there’s a noun or a clause right after the word, you probably want “after.” If the word stands alone or ends the thought, you want afterward or afterwards.

Afterward vs Similar Words

Sometimes you don’t need afterward or afterwards at all. English has plenty of ways to say “later,” and each one has a slightly different feel.

Afterward and afterwards sit in the middle. They’re a bit more polished than “later,” but they don’t sound stiff like “thereafter.”

A good rule: if you’re writing a story or a clear sequence of events, afterward works nicely. If you’re speaking or texting casually, “later” or “after that” often feels more natural.

Afterward vs Afterword: Don’t Mix These Up

Afterword is a different word with a different meaning. An afterword is a short section at the end of a book, usually written by the author or someone else, that adds comments or context.

It’s the mirror image of a foreword, which comes at the start of a book.

Here’s the difference at a glance:

Here’s an easy memory trick: an afterword is made of words on a page. It ends in “word” because it’s literally a piece of writing.

Spell-check won’t always catch this one, because both are real words. So if you’re writing about books, double-check the ending.

Toward vs Towards and Other Words With the Same Pattern

Afterward and afterwards aren’t the only pair like this. English has a whole family of “-ward” and “-wards” words, and the same rule mostly applies: the version without the “s” is more American, and the version with the “s” is more British.

There’s one catch. Some of these words can also work as adjectives, and in that role they usually lose the “s.” For example, “forward” and “backward” can describe things, as in “a forward pass” or “a backward glance.” But you’d say “a backwards glance” less often, and you wouldn’t say “a forwards pass.”

Afterward doesn’t have an adjective form, so you don’t have to worry about that trap here.

Also, a few fixed phrases keep the “s” even in American English. “Bend over backwards” is the classic one. Idioms tend to freeze in place, no matter where you live.

Which One Should You Use?

Use the version that matches your audience, then stay consistent. That’s the whole answer.

Here’s a simple way to decide:

1. Think about who’s reading. Writing for an American audience? Go with afterward. Writing for a British audience? Go with afterwards.
2. Check your style guide. If you write for a publication, school, or company, follow whatever guide they use. When in doubt, ask your editor.
3. Match your spelling settings. If your document is set to US English, your spell-checker will likely lean toward afterward. If it’s set to UK English, expect afterwards.
4. Don’t mix them in one piece. Using afterward in paragraph two and afterwards in paragraph six makes your writing look less careful.
5. Don’t stress about it in casual writing. In a text or a caption, either one is fine.

If you run a website with readers from many countries, pick one and use it everywhere. Consistency helps readers and also helps search engines understand your pages.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Most mistakes with these words have nothing to do with the “s.” They come from using the word in the wrong spot or mixing it up with something similar.

• Using it as an adjective. “The afterward party was fun” is wrong. Say “the after-party” or “the party afterward.”
• Adding a noun straight after it. “Afterward the show” is wrong. Say “after the show.”
• Confusing it with afterword. If you mean the closing note in a book, you need the “word” spelling.
• Switching between spellings in one article. It’s not wrong, but it looks sloppy.
• Writing “after wards.” That splits the word in two. Unless you mean hospital wards, keep it as one word.
• Assuming one is informal. Neither spelling is more casual or more formal than the other.

None of these are hard to fix once you know they exist. A quick read-through before you hit send usually catches them.

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Afterward vs. Afterwards: Which One Is Correct?

Afterward and afterwards are both correct English words. They have the same basic meaning and are used as adverbs to describe something that happens later or following a particular event.

The main difference is regional and stylistic rather than grammatical. Afterward is especially common in American English, while afterwards is more common in British English and is also widely understood in other varieties of English.

• Afterward — correct and commonly preferred in American English.
• Afterwards — correct and commonly used in British English.
• Meaning — later; at a later time; after something has happened.
• Part of speech — adverb.
• Pronunciation — afterward: /ˈæftərwərd/; afterwards: /ˈɑːftəwədz/ in many British pronunciations.
• Usage — both can refer to an action or event that occurs after another event.

For example:

• We went to dinner afterward.
• We went to dinner afterwards.

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

Afterward Meaning

Afterward means at a later time or after something has happened. It is used when you want to describe an action, event, or situation that occurs following something mentioned earlier.

Definition: At a later time; after that event or action.

Simple meaning: Later; after that.

Examples:

• She finished her work and afterward went home.
• We talked about the problem afterward.
• He apologized afterward.
• They went for coffee afterward.
• I realized my mistake afterward.

The word usually connects two events in time. The first event happens, and afterward refers to what happens later.

Afterward or Afterwards: Which One Is Correct?

There is no grammatical error in either afterward or afterwards. Both forms are standard English.

The choice often depends on the variety of English being used.

• American English: afterward is generally more common.
• British English: afterwards is generally more common.
• Formal writing: either can be correct, but consistency is important.
• Academic writing: either form may be used depending on the preferred style guide and regional variety.
• Everyday English: both forms are natural and easily understood.

The important point is that afterwards is not an incorrect version of afterward. The final -s is simply part of the British-preferred form.

Afterward vs. Afterwards Examples

Both words can normally be substituted for each other without changing the basic meaning of a sentence.

• Afterward: We went home afterward.
• Afterwards: We went home afterwards.
• Afterward: She called me afterward.
• Afterwards: She called me afterwards.
• Afterward: He felt better afterward.
• Afterwards: He felt better afterwards.
• Afterward: They discussed the meeting afterward.
• Afterwards: They discussed the meeting afterwards.
• Afterward: I regretted my decision afterward.
• Afterwards: I regretted my decision afterwards.

In each pair, the meaning remains the same. The difference is mainly a matter of regional preference and style.

Afterward in a Sentence

Afterward can appear at the beginning or end of a sentence and can sometimes be placed in the middle for emphasis or flow.

At the beginning:

• Afterward, we went back to the office.
• Afterward, she explained what had happened.
• Afterward, everyone agreed that the decision was necessary.

At the end:

• We went back to the office afterward.
• She explained everything afterward.
• Everyone talked about the decision afterward.

In the middle:

• The team afterward reviewed the results.
• He afterward admitted that he had been wrong.

The beginning and end positions are generally more natural in everyday writing.

Afterward or Afterwards Synonyms

Several words and phrases can have a similar meaning to afterward and afterwards, although the best choice depends on the sentence.

• Later — at a time after the present or after another event.
• Subsequently — after something else, especially in formal writing.
• Thereafter — from that time forward or after that event.
• Then — at that time or immediately after something.
• Following that — after the event just mentioned.
• After that — at a time following a particular event.
• Later on — at some later time.
• In the meantime — during the period before something else happens, so it is not always a direct synonym.

For example:

• We discussed the issue afterward.
• We discussed the issue later.
• We discussed the issue after that.
• We subsequently discussed the issue.

Later is often the simplest everyday alternative, while subsequently and thereafter are more formal.

Afterward in a Book

Afterward is perfectly acceptable in books and other published writing. Authors use it to show that an event occurs later in a story, explanation, memoir, or narrative.

For example:

She closed the door. Afterward, the house became completely quiet.

In narrative writing, afterward can help establish a clear sequence of events without repeating phrases such as “after that happened” or “later.”

Afterwards can also be used in a book, particularly when the author is writing in British English.

The important consideration is consistency. If a book follows American English conventions, afterward may be preferred. If it follows British English conventions, afterwards may be more natural.

Afterward or Afterwards in American English

In American English, afterward is generally the more common form.

For American readers, sentences such as these sound completely natural:

• We talked afterward.
• She went home afterward.
• I’ll explain everything afterward.

Afterwards is not grammatically wrong in American English, however. It is understood and used by American speakers and writers, although it may have a somewhat stronger British-English association.

If you are writing specifically for an American audience, afterward is usually the straightforward choice.

Afterward or Afterwards in British English

In British English, afterwards is very common and natural.

Examples include:

• We went for lunch afterwards.
• She spoke to him afterwards.
• I’ll see you afterwards.
• They discussed it afterwards.

British English also uses afterward, so the shorter form is not automatically incorrect in British writing. However, afterwards is a particularly familiar choice for British speakers and writers.

Afterward or Afterwards AP Style

When following AP Style, the choice between afterward and afterwards is best considered in the context of standard American English usage. Afterward is the commonly preferred American form.

For American news, journalism, and professional content, writers will generally use:

• The meeting ended, and the officials spoke to reporters afterward.
• The company released a statement afterward.
• The players discussed the match afterward.

The key principle is to follow the style requirements of the publication or organization you are writing for. If a specific publication has its own house style, that preference should take priority.

Is Afterward One Word?

Yes. Afterward is written as one word.

• Correct: afterward
• Incorrect: after word

Likewise, afterwards is also written as one word.

• Correct: afterwards
• Incorrect: after wards

When used as an adverb meaning “later,” afterward should not be separated into two words.

Afterward vs. After Words

Afterward and after words have completely different meanings.

Afterward means later or after that.

• We talked afterward.

After words is a phrase that literally means words that come after something else.

• The explanation came after words written on the page.

For the meaning “later,” the correct word is afterward or afterwards, not “after word.”

Quick Grammar Guide

• Word: afterward
• Alternative form: afterwards
• Part of speech: adverb
• Meaning: later; after that
• American English preference: afterward
• British English preference: afterwards
• Plural noun: not applicable
• Comparative form: not applicable
• Common synonym: later
• Opposite time relationship: beforehand, previously

Which Should You Use?

The best choice depends mainly on your audience and the style of English you are following.

• Choose afterward for general American English writing.
• Choose afterwards when following a British English style or when it fits the established style of your text.
• Use either form consistently rather than switching randomly between them.
• Do not treat afterwards as a spelling mistake.
• In most sentences, replacing one with the other does not change the meaning.

Bottom line: Afterward and afterwards are both grammatically correct. Afterward is more common in American English, while afterwards is particularly common in British English. Both mean “later” or “after that,” so the difference is primarily one of regional usage and style rather than correctness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I say afterward or afterwards?

Both afterward and afterwards are correct and have the same basic meaning: at a later time or after something has happened. “Afterward” is especially common in American English, while “afterwards” is very common in British English. Neither form is grammatically wrong, so the choice usually depends on regional preference and writing style.

Where to use afterwards?

Use afterwards when you want to describe something that happens later or following a previous event. It often appears at the beginning or end of a sentence, such as when explaining what happened after a meeting, conversation, meal, or activity. It works naturally in both everyday speech and standard writing.

What does “afterward” mean?

Afterward means later, after that, or at a time following an event. It refers to something that happens after a particular action or situation has already taken place. For example, you might say that you finished your work and went home afterward.

What does afterword mean?

Afterword is different from afterward and afterwards. An afterword is a section written at the end of a book, usually providing additional comments, reflections, background information, or explanations about the work. It is a noun, while “afterward” and “afterwards” are adverbs.

What is a better word for afterwards?

Depending on the context, alternatives to afterwards include later, subsequently, thereafter, following that, and after that. “Later” sounds natural in everyday conversation, while “subsequently” and “thereafter” can sound more formal and are often suitable for professional or academic writing.

How do you say “afterwards” formally?

For formal writing, subsequently and thereafter can sometimes replace afterwards, but the best choice depends on the sentence. Subsequently is useful when describing an event that happened later, while thereafter often emphasizes that something continued or happened from that point onward.

Final Thoughts

The afterward vs afterwards question sounds bigger than it is. Both words are correct, both mean “later,” and the only real difference is where you live and who you’re writing for.

Use afterward for American readers, afterwards for British readers, and keep your choice consistent from start to finish. Then keep an eye out for the one look-alike that does matter: afterword, the note at the end of a book.

If you liked this breakdown, try looking up other tricky pairs like toward vs towards next. They follow the same pattern, and now you already know the trick.

About the Author: The Definegrammar Team is a group of language enthusiasts who explain everyday words, slang, and grammar in plain English. We write for real readers who just want a quick, clear answer they can trust.

Riaz Ahmad

Riaz Ahmad is the founder and writer at DefineGrammar.com, dedicated to simplifying English grammar for students and writers worldwide. With a passion for language, he breaks down complex grammar rules into clear, practical lessons, helping readers write with confidence and clarity every day.