Afterward or Afterwards: Which Spelling Is Correct?

Have you ever written a sentence like “I will call you afterward” and wondered if “afterwards” would be better? You are not alone. Afterward or afterwards is a common English spelling question because both forms are correct and have the same basic meaning.

The two words mean “later” or “at a later time.” The main difference is not meaning but regional preference. Afterward is more common in American English, while afterwards is especially common in British English and other varieties of English.

This small spelling difference can cause confusion in emails, school assignments, articles, and professional writing. Some people think one form is wrong, but that is not true. Both forms are standard English words.

In this guide, you will learn when to use afterward and afterwards, where the words came from, how American and British English differ, and which form is best for your audience. You will also see simple examples, common mistakes, a comparison table, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Afterward or Afterwards – Quick Answer

Afterward and afterwards are both correct. They have the same meaning: later or after something happens.

The main difference is regional preference:

• Afterward is more common in American English.
• Afterwards is more common in British English.
• Both forms are used in other English-speaking countries.
• Neither spelling is grammatically wrong.

Examples

American English:

We went home afterward.

British English:

We went home afterwards.

Both sentences mean that the people went home later.

You can also use either form at the beginning of a sentence:

Afterwards, we went for dinner.

Afterward, we went for dinner.

The choice usually depends on the type of English you are writing.

Afterward vs Afterwards in One Sentence

She finished her work and called her friend afterward.

She finished her work and called her friend afterwards.

Both sentences are correct.

The Origin of Afterward or Afterwards

The word afterward comes from the older English word after, combined with -ward, a suffix that can show direction or movement.

The suffix -ward appears in many English words, such as:

• forward
• backward
• toward
• upward
• downward
• afterward

The basic idea behind afterward is something happening in the direction of a later time.

The form afterwards developed with the addition of -s. This is similar to other adverbs that can appear in both forms, such as:

• toward / towards
• backward / backwards
• forward / forwards

Over time, different English-speaking regions developed different preferences. American English often favors the shorter form without -s, while British English often uses the form ending in -s.

This does not mean that Americans never use afterwards or that British speakers never use afterward. Both forms can be found in both varieties.

The difference is mainly about frequency and style, not correctness.

British English vs American English Spelling

The most useful rule is simple:

American English tends to prefer “afterward.” British English tends to prefer “afterwards.”

However, this is a preference rather than a strict spelling rule.

Feature	American English	British English
Common form	afterward	afterwards
Meaning	later	later
Alternative form	afterwards	afterward
Grammar	Adverb	Adverb
Example	We left afterward.	We left afterwards.
Correct?	Yes	Yes

American English Examples

We had lunch and went shopping afterward.

I felt tired afterward.

She apologized afterward.

They discussed the problem afterward.

In American writing, afterward is often the natural choice.

British English Examples

We had lunch and went shopping afterwards.

I felt tired afterwards.

She apologized afterwards.

They discussed the problem afterwards.

In British English, afterwards is often preferred.

What About Canadian, Australian, and Other English?

English outside the United States and United Kingdom can use both forms.

Canada may use either, although afterward is common in many contexts.

Australia and New Zealand commonly use afterwards, reflecting British English influence.

The best choice is therefore not always based on the country alone. Your publication, school, employer, or style guide may have its own preference.

Which Spelling Should You Use?

The best spelling depends on your audience.

If You Write for an American Audience

Choose afterward.

We will discuss the results afterward.

This form fits common American English usage.

If You Write for a British Audience

Choose afterwards.

We will discuss the results afterwards.

This sounds natural in British English.

If You Write for a Global Audience

Either form is acceptable. The most important thing is consistency.

If you use afterward throughout an article, there is usually no reason to switch to afterwards later.

If You Are Writing for School

Follow the English variety expected by your school or teacher.

For American English classes, afterward is usually a safe choice.

For British English classes, afterwards may be preferred.

If You Are Writing for Business

Use the form that matches your company’s style guide and audience.

For a US company:

We will review the contract afterward.

For a UK company:

We will review the contract afterwards.

Neither sentence is incorrect.

Common Mistakes with Afterward or Afterwards

Because the two words look similar, writers sometimes use them incorrectly.

Mistake 1: Thinking “Afterwards” Is Wrong

Some writers believe that afterwards is an incorrect form.

That is false.

Afterwards is a standard English word.

We went home afterwards.

Correct.

Mistake 2: Thinking “Afterward” Is Only American Slang

This is also incorrect.

Afterward is a standard English word and is used in formal writing.

The report was published afterward.

Correct.

Mistake 3: Using Both Forms Randomly

Changing between the two forms can make your writing look inconsistent.

For example:

We finished the meeting afterward. Afterwards, we went home.

This is grammatically fine, but if you are following a specific regional style, consistency is better.

You could write:

We finished the meeting afterward. Afterward, we went home.

Or:

We finished the meeting afterwards. Afterwards, we went home.

Mistake 4: Confusing Afterward With After

Afterward means later.

After can introduce a noun, pronoun, or clause.

We went home afterward.

We went home after the meeting.

We went home after we finished work.

Do not automatically replace after with afterward. They do different jobs in many sentences.

Mistake 5: Adding an Unnecessary “s”

If your chosen style is American English, you may prefer:

I felt better afterward.

rather than:

I felt better afterwards.

The second sentence is still correct, but the first is more typical of American usage.

Afterward or Afterwards in Everyday Examples

Both forms work in many everyday situations.

In Emails

American style:

Thank you for the meeting. I will send the documents afterward.

British style:

Thank you for the meeting. I will send the documents afterwards.

Both are professional.

In News Writing

American:

The suspect was arrested and questioned afterward.

British:

The suspect was arrested and questioned afterwards.

News organizations normally follow their own style guides, so the preferred form can vary.

In Social Media

Social media is informal, so either form is natural:

We went out for dinner afterward!

or:

We went out for dinner afterwards!

The choice usually depends on the writer’s regional English.

In Formal Writing

Both forms can be used in formal writing:

The committee reviewed the proposal afterward.

The committee reviewed the proposal afterwards.

There is no grammar rule that makes one form informal and the other formal.

In Academic Writing

Academic writers can use either form.

Participants completed a survey afterward.

or:

Participants completed a survey afterwards.

For academic work, consistency and the required style guide matter more than the spelling choice.

In Conversation

Both forms are common:

What happened afterward?

What happened afterwards?

Both mean “What happened later?”

Afterward or Afterwards – Google Trends & Usage Data

Search interest for “afterward or afterwards” usually comes from people trying to solve a spelling or regional-English question. The search is especially useful for students, writers, editors, teachers, and people working with American or British English.

Usage patterns show a clear regional tendency:

• Afterward is strongly associated with American English.
• Afterwards is strongly associated with British English.
• Both forms appear in international English.
• Afterwards is also widely understood by American readers.
• Afterward is easily understood by British readers.

Google Trends can show interest in the comparison phrase “afterward or afterwards,” but search interest should not be treated as a direct measure of how often each word appears in everyday writing.

For actual usage, large English text databases and dictionaries are more useful because they can show how words appear in real sentences.

The key takeaway is simple: regional preference explains much of the difference.

Afterward vs Afterwards: Comparison Table

Word	Meaning	Common Region	Example
Afterward	Later; after that	United States	We talked afterward.
Afterwards	Later; after that	United Kingdom and Commonwealth	We talked afterwards.
After	Later than an event; following	Global English	We talked after dinner.
After that	At a later point following something	Global English	We talked after that.

Quick Usage Guide

Situation	Best Choice
US English	afterward
UK English	afterwards
Australian English	afterwards is common
Canadian English	both
International audience	either
Formal writing	either
Academic writing	follow the required style
Casual writing	either

Afterward or Afterwards: Is One More Correct?

No.

Both afterward and afterwards are correct English adverbs.

If someone tells you that afterwards is wrong, they are confusing regional preference with grammar.

Likewise, afterward is not a mistake just because a British writer prefers afterwards.

Think of the difference as similar to other English variations:

• toward / towards
• backward / backwards
• forward / forwards

English often allows both forms.

How to Remember the Difference

A simple memory trick can help.

Think:

US → afterward

UK → afterwards

The American form is usually shorter, while the British form often keeps the -s.

You do not need to memorize a complicated grammar rule. Just remember that the two forms have the same meaning.

FAQs About Afterward or Afterwards

1. Is “afterward” or “afterwards” correct?

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

2. Is “afterwards” grammatically correct?

Yes. Afterwards is a standard English adverb meaning “later” or “after that.”

3. Is “afterward” American English?

It is especially common in American English, but it is not limited to the United States.

4. Do British people say “afterward”?

Yes. British speakers can use afterward, although afterwards is often more common.

5. Can I use “afterwards” in American English?

Yes. Americans understand and use afterwards, although afterward is generally more common in American usage.

6. Which is better for formal writing: afterward or afterwards?

Both are suitable for formal writing. Choose the form that matches your audience, regional style, or style guide.

7. Do afterward and afterwards mean the same thing?

Yes. In normal use, they mean the same thing: later or after something has happened.

8. Is “afterwards” more British than American?

Yes. Afterwards is strongly associated with British English and is also common in several other varieties influenced by British English.

Final Verdict: 

The answer is simple: both are correct.

Use afterward if you are mainly writing in American English. Use afterwards if you are writing in British English or another variety where the -s form is common.

For example:

US: We went home afterward.

UK: We went home afterwards.

The meaning does not change. Both sentences say that the people went home later.

The most important rule is to consider your audience and stay consistent. If your readers are mostly American, afterward will usually sound more natural. If your readers are British, afterwards may be the better fit. For a global audience, either form is clear and correct.

You should also remember that this is a difference in usage preference, not a difference between correct and incorrect English. There is no need to avoid either word.

When in doubt, check the style guide you are following. Professional publishers, schools, newspapers, and companies may have their own preferences.

So, whether you write afterward or afterwards, your sentence can be perfectly correct. The right choice mainly depends on your audience, region, and writing style.

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