Afterward vs Afterwards: The Complete Guide

Afterward vs Afterwards shows up often in my work, and I still enjoy noticing how both forms stay useful even when writers pick different styles.

In my early days of editing, I often paused when I saw these words used interchangeably, because their spellings, meanings, and even the directional suffix patterns like -ward and -wards made me curious. I remember a colleague showing me how forward and forwards share a similar history, which helped me understand why both versions appear across the English-speaking world, even though North American writers usually favor “afterward” and those outside the U.S. or Canada lean toward “afterwards.” That moment cleared up the confused feeling I had when reading a book during my early publishing period.

With more experience, I realized the two forms stay mostly undifferentiated in real usage, serving the main purpose of signaling what comes later, whether in subsequent events, a concluding idea, or even an afterword at the end of a written piece. Their forms follow a parallel pattern found in many English word families, and choosing one or the other rarely affects tone unless someone prefers what sounds better. Today, when I’m reviewing pronunciations, definitions, or a concluding section, I see both forms as equally safe, natural, and entirely correct, which is why language learners often figure them out later without much trouble.

Quick Summary of Afterward vs Afterwards

If you’re in a hurry, here’s the lightning-fast answer:

• Afterward is primarily used in American English.
• Afterwards is more common in British and Commonwealth English.
• They mean exactly the same thing.
• Neither spelling is wrong.
• Consistency matters more than the version you choose.

Think of them like identical twins who grew up in different countries and developed slightly different accents.

Why Is There Confusion?

Most people assume spelling differences always reflect deeper meaning or rules. In this case, that assumption creates the confusion. The real reasons go deeper into history, regional preference, and familiar word patterns.

Shared Definition Creates the First Mix-Up

Both afterward and afterwards carry the same definition:

At a later time; subsequently; after something else happens.

Because there’s no difference in meaning, readers often feel unsure which one fits their writing. If both versions communicate the same idea, then why do two versions exist at all?

Regional Differences Add to the Mess

When someone reads a lot of content from both the US and the UK, they naturally start seeing both spellings. That exposure creates the illusion that the words carry different emotional tones or grammatical rules.

Yet the only real difference is geography.

History Complicates Things

English inherits many patterns from earlier versions of itself. Words ending in -ward and -wards once served slightly different roles, especially in Middle English. Over time those roles blurred, leaving both forms floating around in modern writing.

Analogous Word Pairs Deepen the Confusion

If you know the “toward vs towards” debate, the “afterward vs afterwards” discussion feels familiar.

Other pairs include:

• forward / forwards
• upward / upwards
• backward / backwards
• inward / inwards

Some pairs take on distinct meanings in modern English. For instance, “backward” describes direction while “backwards” describes manner. That split makes people assume afterward and afterwards follow the same rule. They don’t.

The Core of the Confusion

The real heart of the issue is simple:

English allows both spellings because neither one interferes with meaning.

When a language doesn’t settle on a single version, confusion naturally follows.

What Do Afterward and Afterwards Mean?

Let’s slow down for a moment and look at what the words actually do inside a sentence.

Both afterward and afterwards act as adverbs. They modify an action by showing that something happens at a later time.

Definitions

Afterward / Afterwards:
Later; at a subsequent time; following an earlier event.

These words help connect sequences in storytelling, instructions, or explanations. They add a time-based transition that makes writing flow naturally.

Examples of the idea:

• You finish one action.
• Something else happens later.
• Afterward(s) describes that second moment.

That’s it. Nothing complicated. No grammatical traps.

Afterward vs Afterwards: The Key Differences

Now let’s address the big question directly.

The Only Real Difference: Regional Preference

• Afterward → Used mostly in American English
• Afterwards → Used mostly in British, Australian, New Zealand, South African, and Irish English

No tone difference.
No formality difference.
No change in meaning.

Just a spelling preference tied to geography.

Why This Split Happens

American English tends to simplify spelling. Removing the s aligns with that pattern. British English, on the other hand, retains older forms that preserve traditional endings. The -wards ending once indicated motion toward something. That historical meaning faded, but the spelling stuck.

Regional Preferences (Afterward vs Afterwards)

English spreads across the world like a branching river. The simplest way to understand which branch uses which spelling is to group them geographically.

American English

Writers in the US almost always choose afterward.

Examples where it’s dominant:

• Books
• Journalism
• Academic papers
• Business writing
• Government communication

If your audience is primarily American, afterward will feel more natural.

British & Commonwealth English

In the UK and many countries influenced by British English, afterwards is the standard form.

Readers in these regions expect to see the s at the end.

Why Regional Spelling Diverges

American English prefers:

• Shorter words
• Simplified endings
• Streamlined spelling patterns

British English prefers:

• Historical forms
• Traditional suffixes
• Older spellings that preserve etymology

You see the same pattern in:

• toward / towards
• upward / upwards
• forward / forwards

The -s endings survive more often in British English because they’re viewed as the “original” form.

Practical Tips for Choosing the Right Form

Choosing between afterward and afterwards becomes simple when you consider your audience.

Match Your Reader’s Dialect

Use this quick guide:

Audience	Preferred Spelling
United States	afterward
United Kingdom	afterwards
Canada	Both, slight leaning to afterwards
Australia	afterwards
New Zealand	afterwards
International English	afterwards

When writing for the internet, check your analytics. If 80% of your traffic comes from the US, choose afterward for the sake of familiarity.

Follow Style Guides When Applicable

Some organizations have strict writing rules. If you work with:

• AP Stylebook → generally prefers afterward
• Chicago Manual of Style → accepts both but uses American spelling patterns
• Oxford Style Guide → prefers afterwards

When you write for a company, follow its internal style guide. Consistency strengthens a brand’s voice.

When in Doubt, Be Consistent

If you aren’t targeting a specific region, choose the one you like more and stick with it throughout the document.

Readers notice inconsistency faster than they notice spelling differences.

British English Words Ending in “-s” vs American English

Understanding the broader pattern helps solidify why afterward vs afterwards exists.

Common Examples of Regional Variation

Here’s a helpful table that groups common spelling preferences:

American English	British English
toward	towards
forward	forwards
backward	backwards
upward	upwards
afterward	afterwards

As you can see, the s simply reflects a dialect pattern, not a rule about meaning.

Why This Pattern Exists

The -wards ending originated as a directional marker. Over time it shifted from literal direction to a more general adverbial form. American English streamlined the endings by removing the s, while British English maintained the older forms.

Which One Should You Use: Afterward or Afterwards?

Choosing the right form becomes effortless once the surrounding context becomes clear.

General Guidelines

Use afterward if:

• Your audience is mostly American
• You’re writing for US-based companies or organizations
• You want to match American academic or professional style

Use afterwards if:

• Your audience is British or Commonwealth
• You’re writing fiction with UK-based characters
• You want a more international tone

Contextual Considerations

Sometimes the tone of your writing matters as much as location.

• Business writing often uses shorter, cleaner spellings → afterward
• Narrative or literary writing embraces more traditional forms → afterwards

Neither rule is strict, but they help you match expectations.

Examples in Context

Examples help you hear the rhythm of each version. Since the meaning doesn’t change, the vibe is all about regional flow.

“Afterward” Examples (US)

• We had dinner, and afterward we walked by the river.
• The meeting ran long, and I’ll finish the proposal afterward.
• You can sign up now and join the discussion afterward.
• He apologized afterward and promised to fix the issue.
• Let’s talk afterward so we can sort out the details.

“Afterwards” Examples (UK)

• We had dinner, and afterwards we walked by the river.
• The meeting ran long, and I’ll finish the proposal afterwards.
• You can sign up now and join the discussion afterwards.
• He apologised afterwards and promised to fix the issue.
• Let’s talk afterwards so we can sort out the details.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

US Version	UK Version
afterward	afterwards
I’ll call you afterward.	I’ll call you afterwards.
We spoke afterward.	We spoke afterwards.
They met afterward to review the plan.	They met afterwards to review the plan.

The meaning stays identical.

Usage in Different Dialects: Case Study in Public Speeches

Public speeches reveal how naturally each form fits within its regional context.

American English Example

“Thank you for being here today. We’ll continue the discussion afterward, once everyone has had a chance to look over the new proposal.”

This version fits the rhythm and expectations of an American audience.

British English Example

“Thank you for being here today. We’ll continue the discussion afterwards, once everyone has had a chance to read through the new proposal.”

The s feels natural to a UK audience.

Practical Tip: Context Matters

When presenting to a mixed audience, consider your brand’s identity. If your organization identifies as American or British, use the matching version to maintain coherence across all communication.

Synonyms and Similar Terms for “Afterward” or “Afterwards”

Synonyms can freshen your writing and help you vary tone.

General Synonyms for Both Forms

• Later
• Subsequently
• After that
• Thereafter
• Later on

Context-Specific Synonyms

Casual tone:

• Then
• Later on
• Soon after

Neutral tone:

• After that
• Later

Formal tone:

• Subsequently
• Thereafter

Narrative/literary tone:

• Not long after
• Shortly afterward(s)

More Specific Alternatives

Sometimes you need a time-sensitive expression:

• Immediately after
• A moment later
• At that time
• Shortly after

Comparison Table: Synonyms by Tone

Tone	Synonyms
Casual	later on, then, soon after
Neutral	after that, later
Formal	subsequently, thereafter
Literary	not long after, shortly afterward(s)

Using Synonyms for Style and Variety

Avoid using afterward or afterwards repeatedly in the same paragraph unless you’re explaining the difference. Synonyms help you guide the reader without sounding repetitive.

Key Takeaways

• Both words mean the same thing.
• Afterward → American English
• Afterwards → British & Commonwealth
• No difference in tone or meaning
• Choose based on your audience
• Stay consistent throughout your writing

Read More: Posible or Possible: Understanding the Correct Spelling

Origins of “Afterward” vs “Afterwards”

A quick dive into history helps everything fall into place.

Origin of “Afterward”

“Afterward” traces back to Old English “æfterweard”, meaning toward the back or later. Over centuries, English dropped many older endings. American English continued that simplification by removing the s.

Origin of “Afterwards”

The -wards suffix once expressed movement in a particular direction. Words like towards and afterwards used to describe motion more literally. As language evolved, the directional nuance faded, but the s remained in many dialects, especially British ones.

Both forms survived because people kept using both. English loves flexibility, and this pair proves it.

A Final Look at “Afterward vs Afterwards”

Everything circles back to this simple principle:

Use the version that matches your audience, and stay consistent.

Quick Recap

• Same meaning
• Only a spelling difference
• Region determines preference
• Consistency matters more than the choice

“Afterward or Afterword” — Another Common Mix-Up

Before wrapping up, there’s one more confusion worth clearing up.

Afterword is not connected to either “afterward” or “afterwards.”
It’s a noun that refers to a section at the end of a book, usually written by the author to reflect on the story or explain background details.

Think of it as the literary cousin that sounds similar but lives in a completely different part of the dictionary.

FAQs

1. Is “afterwards” wrong in American English?

Not at all. Americans simply prefer “afterward.” Using “afterwards” won’t make your writing incorrect, just less common.

2. Does “afterward” sound more formal?

Neither version sounds more formal. Tone depends on sentence structure, not the spelling of this particular word.

3. Which version do grammar guides recommend?

American guides like AP Stylebook prefer afterward. British guides prefer afterwards.

4. Are “afterward” and “afterword” related?

No. “Afterword” is a noun that refers to a closing section of a book. It has nothing to do with time-based adverbs.

Conclusion

Choosing between afterward and afterwards becomes simple once you see how naturally both words fit into modern English. They share the same meaning, follow the same historical pattern, and work smoothly in everyday writing. Whether you’re drafting a message, polishing an article, or reviewing a piece of text, both versions carry the idea of something happening later without changing the tone or clarity of your sentence.

If anything, the small spelling difference reflects more about regional habits than grammar rules. Writers in North America may lean toward afterward, while those in other parts of the English-speaking world often prefer afterwards, yet both remain equally correct. Once you grow comfortable with the pair, you can use whichever feels most natural to you, knowing that your choice will still communicate your point clearly and confidently.