Afterward vs Afterwards: What’s the Difference and Which One Should You Use?

Afterward vs Afterwards is a topic many English writers and speakers from the U.S., Canada, and North American regions often get confused about, as these words share meaning, are sometimes interchangeable, and follow different regional usage patterns.

From my experience, many learners make tiny mistakes in writing forms, especially in sample sentences, practice, or when following rules of grammar, punctuation, style, and clarity. Using illustration, examples, synonyms, and guides helps improve learning, understanding, and comprehension safely and correctly.

For better results, focus on instruction, advice, and tips highlighting differences, alternatives, comparison, and variation. Paying attention to suffixes like -ward, -wards, forward, forwards, and directional usage ensures correctness, choice, nuance, and interpretation, helping English language writers gain experience and confidence.

Quick Answer for Busy Readers

If you’re in a hurry:

• Afterward is preferred in American English.
• Afterwards is common in British English.
• Both words are adverbs of time and mean “later” or “following that.”

Example:

• US: “We went to the park and had ice cream afterward.”
• UK: “We went to the park and had ice cream afterwards.”

Notice how the meaning doesn’t change. Only the spelling and regional preference differ.

What Do “Afterward” and “Afterwards” Actually Mean?

Both words function as adverbs that describe actions occurring later in time. They are interchangeable in meaning but differ in spelling and geographic preference.

Definitions:

• Afterward: Later; subsequently; following an event (US English).
• Afterwards: Later; subsequently; following an event (UK English).

These words fit naturally in any sentence describing sequential events:

• “She finished her homework and went outside afterward.”
• “She finished her homework and went outside afterwards.”

They don’t carry additional nuance; their core meaning remains identical. The confusion arises from spelling conventions, historical evolution, and regional norms.

Why Do People Get Confused Between Afterward and Afterwards?

There are several reasons this confusion persists:

• Same Meaning: Both words convey the exact same idea, so people assume either works everywhere.
• Regional Differences: Writers often mix US and UK conventions without realizing it.
• Digital Writing: Auto-correct tools may enforce one form over the other.
• Education Systems: English language learners are sometimes taught both spellings but not when to use which.

Even professional writers occasionally mix the two in formal publications. Understanding the pattern behind usage can eliminate mistakes.

The Real Difference: Afterward vs Afterwards

Regional Usage Breakdown

Word	Region	Preference Level
Afterward	USA	High
Afterwards	UK, Australia	High
Afterward	Canada	Moderate
Afterwards	Canada	Low

• US English: “Afterward” dominates newspapers, books, and online content.
• UK English: “Afterwards” is preferred in literature, journalism, and formal writing.
• Canada & Australia: Both forms appear, but UK English slightly outweighs US English.

Style and Formality

• Formal Writing: Both words are acceptable, but consistency matters.
• Academic Writing: Journals tend to prefer the regional standard. US journals favor “afterward,” UK journals favor “afterwards.”
• Informal Writing: Either is fine in casual conversation or digital communication, but sticking to one maintains professionalism.

Data-Backed Usage Trends

A study using Google Ngram Viewer shows:

• In US publications from 1800 to 2000, “afterward” was consistently 5–10 times more common than “afterwards.”
• In UK publications, “afterwards” remained the dominant form throughout the same period.

This pattern confirms that the difference is regional rather than semantic.

Historical Origins of Afterward and Afterwards

Etymology of “Afterward”

• Originates from Old English æfterweard, meaning “following in time.”
• The word never had an “-s” ending in early US usage.
• Early American writers like Noah Webster standardized it as afterward to simplify spelling.

Etymology of “Afterwards”

• Derived from Middle English, where the “-s” was added as an adverbial marker.
• Related words include towards, forwards, backwards, which historically carried the same “-s.”
• British English retained the “-s” to align with traditional adverb formation.

Why Some English Adverbs End in “-s” (And Others Don’t)

English has a long history of adverbs ending in “-s”, especially directional or temporal ones. Here’s a quick comparison:

Base Word	US Usage	UK Usage
Forward	forward	forwards
Backward	backward	backwards
Toward	toward	towards
Afterward	afterward	afterwards

Rule of Thumb: US English dropped the “-s” to simplify writing and standardize spelling, especially in formal and digital contexts. British English preserved the traditional form for stylistic and historical reasons.

Which One Should You Use: Afterward or Afterwards?

Clear Rules for Writers

1. Target Audience:
   • US readers → Use afterward
   • UK readers → Use afterwards
2. Consistency Matters: Don’t switch between the two in the same document.
3. Contextual Consideration: Formal papers and business writing lean toward the regional norm, casual writing is more flexible.

Professional Writing Recommendations

• Pick one form and maintain it throughout. Search engines may favor consistent spelling.
• Follow your style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago). US guides favor “afterward,” UK guides prefer “afterwards.”
• Stick with your regional standard to avoid appearing careless.

Read More:Possible or Possible: The Correct Spelling, Meaning, and Usage Explained

Afterward vs Afterwards in Real Sentences

Everyday Usage Examples

• Casual conversation: “We watched a movie and grabbed dinner afterward.”
• Email to a friend: “Let’s meet at the café afterward.”

Professional and Formal Examples

• News writing: “The committee reviewed the documents and issued a statement afterward.”
• Academic writing: “After conducting the survey, participants were debriefed afterward.”

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Sentence	US English	UK English
Event Sequence	“She called her friends afterward.”	“She called her friends afterwards.”
Work Report	“The meeting ended; notes were shared afterward.”	“The meeting ended; notes were shared afterwards.”

Dialect-Based Usage in Public Communication

American Public Speech Patterns

• Political speeches often use afterward:
  • Example: “We passed the bill and held a press conference afterward.”
• News broadcasts follow the same style.

British Public Speech Patterns

• Parliamentary debates and BBC reporting favor afterwards:
  • Example: “The Prime Minister addressed the parliament and spoke to the press afterwards.”

Synonyms for Afterward and Afterwards

Using synonyms can enhance style, avoid repetition, or fit a specific tone.

Neutral Synonyms

• later
• subsequently
• eventually

Formal Alternatives

• thereafter
• following that
• in due course

Informal Alternatives

• later on
• after that
• down the line

Synonym Comparison Table by Tone and Context

Tone	Synonyms	Notes
Neutral	later, subsequently, eventually	Safe for all writing
Formal	thereafter, in due course	Academic or legal writing
Informal	later on, after that, down the line	Conversational or storytelling

Tip: Using synonyms strategically prevents monotony, especially in long texts.

Common Mistakes and Misuses

• Mixing afterward and afterwards in the same document
• Confusing afterward(s) with afterword, a completely different word
• Using them incorrectly in academic citations

Example of a frequent error:

• ❌ “She went to the park afterwardS, and afterward she visited the library.”
• ✅ “She went to the park afterward, and afterward she visited the library.”

Consistency is key.

Afterward vs Afterword: A Critical Distinction

What “Afterword” Means

• Afterword is a noun, not an adverb.
• It refers to a short section at the end of a book, usually written by the author or editor.

Example:

• “The novel’s afterword explained the historical context of the story.”

Why Writers Confuse Them

• Similar spelling
• Mishearing when reading aloud
• Auto-correct errors

Clear Usage Examples

Word	Correct Use Example
Afterward	“He finished his work afterward.”
Afterword	“The afterword provided insights into the plot.”

Remember: afterword ≠ afterward/afterwards.

Key Takeaways for Writers and Students

• Meaning: Identical for both words, they indicate time sequence.
• Regional Preference: US → afterward | UK → afterwards
• Consistency: Use the same form throughout one document.
• Afterword: Completely different; refers to a book section.

Final Recap: Afterward or Afterwards?

• Use afterward for US audiences and formal American writing.
• Use afterwards for UK audiences and formal British writing.
• In casual conversation, either is usually acceptable, but pick one.
• Never confuse these words with afterword, which is a noun.

FAQ Section

Is afterward wrong in British English?

No, it is understood, but afterwards is preferred.

Is afterwards wrong in American English?

Not wrong, but it is uncommon and may look old-fashioned.

Which spelling is better for SEO?

Stick with afterward for US-targeted content and afterwards for UK-targeted content. Consistency is more important than choice.

Can both be used in academic writing?

Yes, but follow the style guide. US guides prefer afterward, UK guides prefer afterwards.

Does AP Style allow “afterwards”?

No, AP Style recommends afterward.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Word with Confidence

The difference between afterward and afterwards is purely regional. Their meaning is identical, but spelling depends on your audience. Stick to afterward for American writing and afterwards for British contexts. Remember, consistency matters more than preference, and never confuse them with afterword, which is a noun. By understanding these distinctions, you can write with clarity, style, and confidence.