Afterward or Afterwards often confuses people, yet both share the same meaning while afterword belongs to a book and serves another purpose.
Many people become confused because afterward, afterwards, and afterword are homophones or near homophones that sound alike in spoken English. If you listen carefully, you will notice that English speakers in different countries may use slightly different pronunciation. The word afterword is the final concluding section of a book, while afterward and afterwards have the same meaning. These two words are closely related, are spelled differently, and their spelling reflects a variant rather than a different idea.
Both afterward and afterwards work as adverbs, or an adverb, showing association with time instead of direction or directions. They follow a parallel form where the ending suffix ward may also become wards, just as toward changes to towards and backward changes to backwards. Some people add an -s, while others do not, so these variations appear in both spoken and written English. In writing, I usually use the version expected by the audience because that simple choice feels more natural.
Afterward or Afterwards: What’s the Difference?
The simple answer is that there is no difference in meaning.
Both afterward and afterwards mean:
At a later time; following an event; subsequently.
They function as adverbs and are used to describe something that happens later.
Examples
- We went to dinner and watched a movie afterward.
- We went to dinner and watched a movie afterwards.
Both sentences communicate exactly the same idea.
The only real difference lies in regional preference.
Meaning of Afterward
Afterward is an adverb that means:
- Later
- Subsequently
- Following that event
- At a later point in time
Example Sentences
- The meeting ended at noon. We spoke privately afterward.
- She finished her presentation and answered questions afterward.
- They signed the contract and celebrated afterward.
In American English, this version is generally preferred.
Meaning of Afterwards
Afterwards carries exactly the same definition.
Example Sentences
- The conference ended at five. We had dinner afterwards.
- He apologized and felt much better afterwards.
- They completed the training and discussed the results afterwards.
In British English, this spelling is often more common.
Quick Answer Table
| Feature | Afterward | Afterwards |
| Meaning | Later | Later |
| Part of Speech | Adverb | Adverb |
| American English | Preferred | Less common |
| British English | Acceptable | Preferred |
| Formal Writing | Common | Common |
| Grammar Difference | None | None |
| Meaning Difference | None | None |
Why Do Two Spellings Exist?
The existence of both spellings stems from the history of English.
Many English adverbs originally ended with -s.
Examples include:
| Without -s | With -s |
| toward | towards |
| backward | backwards |
| forward | forwards |
| afterward | afterwards |
Over time, American English gradually favored shorter spellings. British English retained many of the older forms.
As a result, both versions survived.
Afterward vs Afterwards in American English
American English strongly prefers afterward.
You’ll commonly see it in:
- Newspapers
- Business documents
- Academic writing
- Government publications
- Online articles
Examples
- The president spoke to reporters afterward.
- Employees attended a workshop and met afterward.
- The experiment concluded and researchers analyzed the results afterward.
Many American style guides encourage the version without the final s.
Why Americans Prefer Afterward
Several factors contributed:
- Simpler spelling
- Consistency with other streamlined forms
- Influence of American language standardization
- Editorial style preferences
As a result, afterward dominates most U.S. publications.
Afterward vs Afterwards in British English
British English tends to favor afterwards.
Writers in the United Kingdom frequently use the version ending in s.
Examples
- The ceremony concluded and guests mingled afterwards.
- She visited the museum and relaxed afterwards.
- The match ended and supporters celebrated afterwards.
However, British readers generally understand both forms.
Which Spelling Is More Common Worldwide?
Modern digital publishing reveals interesting trends.
General Usage Patterns
| Region | Preferred Form |
| United States | Afterward |
| Canada | Mixed |
| United Kingdom | Afterwards |
| Australia | Afterwards |
| New Zealand | Afterwards |
| International Publications | Mixed |
The internet contains millions of examples of both spellings.
Neither version is considered incorrect.
Is One More Formal Than the Other?
No.
Both words are equally formal.
You can use either in:
- Academic papers
- Business reports
- Books
- Articles
- Research documents
- Professional emails
Formal Example
- The committee reviewed the proposal and met afterward to discuss revisions.
- The committee reviewed the proposal and met afterwards to discuss revisions.
Both sentences work perfectly.
Grammar Rules for Afterward and Afterwards
The grammar remains identical.
Correct Usage
- We talked afterward.
- We talked afterwards.
Incorrect Usage
- An afterward meeting.
- An afterwards meeting.
Why?
Because both words function primarily as adverbs rather than adjectives.
Sentence Placement Examples
Beginning of a Sentence
- Afterward, everyone returned to work.
- Afterwards, everyone returned to work.
Middle of a Sentence
- We afterward discovered the error.
- We afterwards discovered the error.
End of a Sentence
- We discovered the error afterward.
- We discovered the error afterwards.
All examples are grammatically acceptable.
Common Mistakes Writers Make
Mixing Regional Styles
One common mistake is inconsistency.
Incorrect
- The report was completed afterward.
- The findings were reviewed afterwards.
Better
Choose one style and stick with it.
Using Both in the Same Article
Consistency improves readability.
Readers notice when spellings change unexpectedly.
Afterward vs Afterwards in Writing
For SEO content, audience location matters.
Targeting American Readers
Use:
Afterward
Targeting British Readers
Use:
Afterwards
Global Audience
Either version works.
The key is consistency.
Search engines understand both spellings and recognize them as equivalent terms
Examples From Everyday Conversations
Casual Conversation
- We grabbed coffee afterward.
- We grabbed coffee afterwards.
School Setting
- Students completed the exam afterward.
- Students completed the exam afterwards.
Workplace Setting
- The team met afterward.
- The team met afterwards.
Travel Context
- We toured the castle and relaxed afterward.
- We toured the castle and relaxed afterwards.
Similar Word Pairs in English
The afterward/afterwards distinction isn’t unique.
English contains several similar pairs.
| American Form | British Form |
| toward | towards |
| backward | backwards |
| forward | forwards |
| afterward | afterwards |
Understanding one pair often helps you understand the others.
Style Guide Recommendations
American Style Guides
Many American editors prefer:
- afterward
- toward
- forward
- backward
British Style Guides
Many British publications prefer:
- afterwards
- towards
- forwards
- backwards
Always check the style requirements of your organization or publication.
Historical Evolution of Afterward and Afterwards
The word originates from Old English and Middle English expressions describing events that occurred later.
Over centuries, English evolved through:
- Regional influences
- Printing practices
- Editorial conventions
- National language standards
Rather than eliminating one spelling, English preserved both.
This explains why modern dictionaries still list both as standard forms.
Which Version Should Students Use?
Students should follow the language standard required by their institution.
For U.S. Schools
Use:
Afterward
For U.K. Schools
Use:
Afterwards
International Programs
Follow whichever style guide your instructor specifies.
Consistency matters more than the actual choice.
Which Version Should Businesses Use?
Businesses should match their audience.
U.S. Customers
Choose:
Afterward
U.K. Customers
Choose:
Afterwards
Global Brands
Select one style and apply it consistently across:
- Websites
- Marketing materials
- Product descriptions
- Customer communications
Real-World Example
Imagine two companies.
Company A
Targets American customers.
Sentence:
“We’ll send a survey afterward.”
Perfect choice.
Company B
Targets British customers.
Sentence:
“We’ll send a survey afterwards.”
Also perfect.
Neither company is wrong. Each simply aligns with audience expectations.
Memory Trick
Here’s an easy way to remember.
Think Location
United States → Afterward
United Kingdom → Afterwards
If you’re unsure, either version is acceptable as long as you remain consistent throughout the document.
Conclusion
If you still hesitate between afterward and afterwards, remember that there is no difference in meaning. The same adverb works in both cases, and the choice mostly depends on spelling, regional usage, and your audience. North America usually prefers afterward, while many English speakers in other countries choose afterwards. In my writing, I simply stay consistent from start to finish because that makes the text easier to read.
FAQs
Is afterward or afterwards correct?
Both are correct. They are a variant of the same adverb, and both express time. The preferred form depends on the type of English you are using.
What is the difference between afterword and afterward?
An afterword is the final concluding section of a book. Afterward and afterwards refer to something that happens after an event.
Which spelling should I use in written English?
Choose the form that matches your audience. If you write for North America, afterward is more common. For many other English speakers, afterwards is the preferred and equally correct choice.
Does pronunciation change?
The pronunciation is very similar in spoken English, so many people become confused. The main distinction is spelling, not meaning.
Are there grammar examples to help me remember?
Yes. Compare the words in real sentences and focus on grammar rather than memorizing rules. Regular use makes it easier to choose the correct form naturally.
