Afterward or Afterwards? Which One Is Correct?

Afterward and afterwards are both correct, but afterward is more common in American English, while afterwards is especially common in British English.

You might be writing an email, checking an assignment, or editing a sentence when you pause: should it be afterward or afterwards?

The extra s looks small, but it can make you wonder if one spelling is wrong. The good news is that both forms have the same meaning: at a later time or after something happens.

For example, “We went home afterward” and “We went home afterwards” mean the same thing.

The main difference is regional preference. If you write for a US audience, afterward is usually the better choice. If you follow British English, afterwards is a common choice. This guide explains the difference with simple rules and examples.

Afterward or Afterwards – Quick Answer

Afterward and afterwards are both correct. They have the same basic meaning: at a later time or after something has happened. In American English, afterward is usually preferred. In British English, afterwards is especially common. Neither spelling is wrong.

Quick Rule

Use “afterward” for typical US English and “afterwards” for typical British English.

What Does “Afterward” Mean?

Afterward is an adverb meaning at a later time or after an event has happened. It refers back to something already mentioned and tells the reader what happens next or later.

For example:

We finished dinner and went for a walk afterward.

Here, afterward means that the walk happened after dinner.

You can also use it when talking about future events:

I will call you afterward.

The word does not need to describe only the past. The exact time depends on the sentence.

“Afterward” can appear at the beginning or end of a sentence.

Afterward, we went home.

We went home afterward.

Both sentences are correct.

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What Does “Afterwards” Mean?

Afterwards has the same basic meaning as afterward. It means at a later time or after something else has happened.

For example:

We finished dinner and went for a walk afterwards.

The meaning is the same as:

We finished dinner and went for a walk afterward.

The main difference is not meaning or grammar. It is mainly a difference in regional usage.

Afterwards is especially common in British English. It is also understood and used in American English.

You can use it at the beginning or end of a sentence:

Afterwards, we watched a movie.

We watched a movie afterwards.

Both are grammatically correct.

Afterward vs Afterwards: What Is the Difference?

Afterward and afterwards have the same meaning and grammatical function. Both are adverbs of time. The main difference is regional preference. American English generally favors afterward, while British English commonly uses afterwards.

Form	Meaning	Common Usage
afterward	At a later time	More common in American English
afterwards	At a later time	Especially common in British English
afterword	A section at the end of a book	Different word and meaning

Consider these two sentences:

We went home afterward.

We went home afterwards.

There is no important difference in meaning.

Both tell us that going home happened after something previously mentioned.

The choice usually depends on the variety of English you are using.

American English or British English

American and British English often use different forms of certain words. Afterward and afterwards are one example of this pattern.

In American English, afterward is the usual form.

We talked about the problem afterward.

In British English, afterwards is especially common.

We talked about the problem afterwards.

This does not mean that Americans never use afterwards. It also does not mean British speakers cannot use afterward.

Both forms are understood in both varieties.

The difference is better described as regional preference, not a strict grammar rule.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Afterward	Afterwards
Part of speech	Adverb	Adverb
Meaning	At a later time	At a later time
American English	Common	Also used
British English	Used	Especially common
Meaning changes?	No	No
Formality	Neutral	Neutral
Correct?	Yes	Yes

For a US-focused website or American audience, afterward is usually the more natural choice.

For British English writing, afterwards is a common choice.

After vs Afterward vs Afterwards

These three words are related, but they do not always work in the same way.

After can work as a preposition or conjunction. Afterward and afterwards are adverbs that refer back to an earlier event.

Compare these examples:

We went home after lunch.

Here, after is followed by the noun lunch.

Now compare:

We had lunch and went home afterward.

Here, afterward refers back to lunch.

You can also write:

We had lunch and went home afterwards.

The following pattern is useful:

after + noun

after school
after lunch
after the meeting
after the movie

afterward/afterwards + reference to an earlier event

We went home afterward.
We went home afterwards.

Do not use afterward directly before a noun in the same way as after.

Incorrect:

We went home afterward lunch.

Correct:

We went home after lunch.

Or:

We had lunch and went home afterward.

How to Use Afterward in a Sentence

Use afterward when you want to show that something happens later than an event already mentioned.

It can describe past, present, or future situations.

At the end of a sentence

We talked afterward.

She apologized afterward.

I felt better afterward.

At the beginning of a sentence

Afterward, we went to the park.

Afterward, he called his brother.

Afterward, they returned to work.

With “soon” or “shortly”

You can also use words such as soon and shortly with afterward.

We left soon afterward.

She called shortly afterward.

The meeting ended, and shortly afterward, everyone went home.

These expressions make the timing clearer.

How to Use Afterwards in a Sentence

Afterwards works in the same basic situations as afterward.

It can appear at the beginning or end of a sentence.

At the end

We went out afterwards.

She called me afterwards.

They discussed the issue afterwards.

At the beginning

Afterwards, we went back to the office.

Afterwards, she explained what happened.

Afterwards, they decided to leave.

With other time expressions

We spoke soon afterwards.

He apologized shortly afterwards.

They met again not long afterwards.

The extra s does not change the meaning.

20 Real Example Sentences

Here are examples using both forms.

Examples With “Afterward”

1. We went home afterward.
2. I felt tired afterward.
3. She called me afterward.
4. We discussed the problem afterward.
5. He apologized afterward.
6. Afterward, we watched a movie.
7. Afterward, they went back to school.
8. I realized my mistake afterward.
9. We had coffee afterward.
10. She felt much better afterward.

Examples With “Afterwards”

11. We went home afterwards.
12. I felt tired afterwards.
13. She called me afterwards.
14. We discussed the problem afterwards.
15. He apologized afterwards.
16. Afterwards, we watched a movie.
17. Afterwards, they went back to school.
18. I realized my mistake afterwards.
19. We had coffee afterwards.
20. She felt much better afterwards.

Notice something important: the meaning stays the same.

The only visible difference is the extra s.

When Should You Use “Afterward”?

Use afterward when it fits the English variety and style you are following.

For a US audience, afterward is usually the natural choice.

For example:

We will discuss the details afterward.

This form works well in emails, school assignments, websites, reports, and everyday writing.

If your publication follows American English, choosing afterward can help keep your spelling consistent.

You do not need to worry that afterwards is grammatically wrong. It is a valid form.

The important point is to know your audience and follow a consistent style.

When Should You Use “Afterwards”?

Use afterwards when writing in British English or when that form matches your preferred style.

For example:

We went to the restaurant afterwards.

This is completely correct.

British English commonly uses the -wards form.

You may see afterwards in British books, newspapers, websites, and everyday conversation.

Again, this is not a rule that makes the other form incorrect.

Common Mistakes With Afterward and Afterwards

Mistake 1: Thinking “afterwards” is wrong

Some writers believe the extra s makes the word incorrect.

That is not true.

Afterwards is a correct English word.

It is especially common in British English.

We went home afterwards. ✅

Mistake 2: Thinking “afterward” is only American

Afterward is especially common in American English, but it is not limited to Americans.

It is also understood and used in other varieties of English.

We talked afterward. ✅

Mistake 3: Using “afterward” before a noun

Do not use afterward like the preposition after.

Incorrect:

We went home afterward the meeting. ❌

Correct:

We went home after the meeting. ✅

Or:

The meeting ended, and we went home afterward. ✅

Mistake 4: Confusing “afterward” with “afterword”

These words look similar, but they have completely different meanings.

Afterward means at a later time.

Afterword is a section added to the end of a book.

We talked afterward.

The author included an afterword.

Afterword vs Afterward vs Afterwards

This is another spelling confusion worth remembering.

Afterward

Afterward is an adverb meaning later.

We talked afterward.

Afterwards

Afterwards is also an adverb meaning later.

We talked afterwards.

Afterword

Afterword is a noun. It refers to a section at the end of a book.

The author wrote an afterword for the new edition.

The pronunciation and spelling can cause confusion, but the meanings are different.

Simple Comparison

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning
afterward	Adverb	At a later time
afterwards	Adverb	At a later time
afterword	Noun	A section at the end of a book

Easy Memory Trick

Use this simple trick:

US English → afterward

UK English → afterwards

Think of the extra s as a small clue for the British form.

However, this is only a memory aid.

It is not a strict rule.

Both words are correct, and the meaning does not change when you add the s.

If you write mainly for American readers, afterward is a simple choice.

If you write mainly for British readers, afterwards is very natural.

Is “Afterward” More Correct Than “Afterwards”?

No. Afterward is not more grammatically correct than afterwards.

Both forms are standard English words.

The difference is mainly regional.

American English commonly prefers afterward, while British English especially commonly uses afterwards.

So, if someone writes:

We went home afterward.

The sentence is correct.

If someone writes:

We went home afterwards.

That sentence is also correct.

The choice does not change the basic meaning.

Is “Afterwards” More Correct Than “Afterward”?

No. Afterwards is not more correct than afterward.

It is a common and standard form, especially in British English.

American English generally uses afterward more often.

The best choice depends on your audience, regional English, or style guide.

Should You Use “Afterward” or “Afterwards” in American English?

For an American audience, afterward is generally the preferred choice.

For example:

We can discuss the details afterward.

This does not mean afterwards is incorrect in American English.

You may still see and hear it.

However, if you want your writing to follow typical American usage, afterward is the straightforward choice.

Should You Use “Afterward” or “Afterwards” in British English?

For British English, afterwards is especially common.

For example:

We can discuss the details afterwards.

British speakers and writers also understand afterward, so it is not an error.

The difference is mainly about which form sounds more typical in that variety of English.

Can “Afterward” and “Afterwards” Be Used Interchangeably?

Yes, in most situations.

You can usually replace one with the other without changing the meaning.

We went home afterward.

and

We went home afterwards.

Both mean that going home happened later.

The main thing to consider is your audience.

If you are writing for Americans, afterward is usually the more natural choice.

If you are writing for British readers, afterwards is especially common.

FAQs

Is “afterward” or “afterwards” correct?

Both afterward and afterwards are correct. They both mean “at a later time” or “after something has happened.”

Is “afterward” American or British?

Afterward is especially common in American English. It is also used in British English and other varieties.

Is “afterwards” British or American?

Afterwards is especially common in British English. It is also used and understood in American English.

Does “afterward” mean the same as “afterwards”?

Yes. In normal usage, they have the same basic meaning and grammatical function.

Can I use “afterward” and “afterwards” interchangeably?

Yes. In most sentences, you can replace one with the other without changing the meaning.

Is “afterwards” a real word?

Yes. Afterwards is a standard English word and is especially common in British English.

What is the difference between “afterward” and “afterword”?

Afterward means at a later time. Afterword is a section at the end of a book.

Can “afterward” come before a noun?

No. Use after before a noun.

Correct:

We left after lunch.

Use afterward when referring back to an event.

We had lunch and left afterward.

Which spelling should Americans use?

American English generally favors afterward. It is the most natural choice for a US-focused audience.

Which spelling should British speakers use?

Afterwards is especially common in British English. However, afterward is also understood and used.

Conclusion:

Afterward and afterwards are both correct. They have the same basic meaning and are usually interchangeable.

The main difference is regional preference. Afterward is generally preferred in American English, while afterwards is especially common in British English. For US-focused writing, choose afterward.

For British English, afterwards is a natural choice. Also remember that afterword is different because it means a section at the end of a book.