If you are wondering about afterward vs afterwards, you may be asking whether these words have different meanings or whether one is more correct. In fact, afterward vs afterwards usually comes down to regional English usage, not a difference in meaning. Both words are adverbs that mean “later” or “at a later time.” Afterward is generally preferred in American English, while afterwards is more common in British English.
- Afterward is the natural default for most American English writing.
- Afterwards is the more typical choice in British English, but both forms are understood and grammatically acceptable.
For example:
We went home afterward.
We went home afterwards.
The meaning remains the same in both sentences. The -s in afterwards does not create a different meaning. However, do not confuse either form with afterword, which is a noun referring to a concluding section of a book or other written work.
Afterward and Afterwards Mean the Same Thing
Afterward and afterwards both describe something that happens later, after an earlier event or action. Cambridge Dictionary defines afterward as “after the time mentioned” and identifies afterwards as the mainly UK form.
You can normally replace one with the other without changing the meaning:
We finished dinner and talked afterward.
We finished dinner and talked afterwards.
In both sentences, the talking happened after dinner.
The same applies when the earlier event has already been established:
She apologized afterward.
She apologized afterwards.
So, the choice is not about a different time or action. It is mainly about which form fits the variety of English you are using.
What Is the Difference Between Afterward and Afterwards?
The main difference between afterward and afterwards is regional preference, not meaning.
Both words are adverbs, and both mean “later” or “at a later time.” Cambridge lists afterward as a US form and afterwards as mainly UK. Its American English entry also recognizes afterwards as an alternative form.
| Word | Meaning | Part of speech | Common preference |
| afterward | later | adverb | American English |
| afterwards | later | adverb | British English |
This distinction is important because less common does not mean incorrect.
For instance, afterwards can appear in American English, even though afterward is usually the preferred form. Likewise, seeing afterward in British English does not automatically indicate a grammatical error.
In other words, the two forms differ mainly in regional usage, while their basic meaning and grammatical role remain the same.
Afterward vs Afterwards in American and British English
Afterward in American English
Afterward is the usual American English form. Cambridge’s American English entry lists afterward and notes afterwards as an alternative.
For example:
We went out for coffee afterward.
She called me afterward to discuss the meeting.
I felt tired afterward.
These sentences use the form that generally sounds most natural in American English.
Still, afterwards is also understood and used in the United States. Therefore, using it does not automatically make an American English sentence incorrect.
Afterwards in British English
Afterwards is the more typical British English form. Cambridge labels it “mainly UK” and notes that US English usually uses afterward.
For example:
We went out for coffee afterwards.
She called me afterwards to discuss the meeting.
I felt tired afterwards.
These examples follow the common British English preference.
However, afterward is not automatically wrong in British English. The regional distinction describes typical usage rather than an absolute grammar rule.
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Is the Regional Difference a Rule?
It is better to treat the difference as a usage preference rather than a strict rule.
Cambridge identifies afterward as the US form and afterwards as mainly UK. At the same time, its American entry recognizes afterwards as an alternative.
A practical guide is:
- American English: afterward is the natural default.
- British English: afterwards is the natural default.
- Both forms: mean the same thing.
- Neither form: becomes incorrect simply because it is less common in a particular variety.
This makes regional preference more useful than trying to label one form “right” and the other “wrong.”
How to Use Afterward and Afterwards in a Sentence
As Adverbs of Time
Afterward and afterwards tell the reader that something happens later than an event already mentioned or understood.
For example:
We had lunch and went shopping afterward.
Here, afterward shows that the shopping happened after lunch.
You can use afterwards in exactly the same way:
We had lunch and went shopping afterwards.
The meaning does not change.
Both forms can also appear with words such as soon, shortly, and immediately:
We spoke soon afterward.
They left shortly afterwards.
She apologized immediately afterward.
These expressions make the time relationship more specific.
Common Sentence Positions
Both words can appear at the end of a sentence:
We discussed the problem afterward.
We discussed the problem afterwards.
They can also appear at the beginning:
Afterward, we went back to the office.
Afterwards, she called her sister.
In some sentences, the adverb can appear in the middle:
The team afterward reviewed the results.
The team afterwards reviewed the results.
The best position depends on the sentence and the emphasis you want. You do not need to force either form into one fixed position.
Punctuation
When afterward or afterwards begins a sentence as an introductory element, a comma can make the structure clear:
Afterward, we went home.
Afterwards, she called her sister.
However, the comma is not required simply because the word appears at the beginning. Punctuation depends on the sentence structure and how the introductory element functions.
Afterward vs Afterwards: Examples Side by Side
Because afterward and afterwards normally have the same meaning, identical sentence patterns make the difference easy to see.
| Afterward | Afterwards |
| We went home afterward. | We went home afterwards. |
| She called me afterward. | She called me afterwards. |
| We discussed the results afterward. | We discussed the results afterwards. |
| Afterward, they returned to work. | Afterwards, they returned to work. |
| I felt much better afterward. | I felt much better afterwards. |
The only change in each pair is the form of the adverb. The time relationship remains the same.
You can use either form in different contexts:
Everyday writing:
I went to the store afterward.
I went to the store afterwards.
Workplace writing:
We can review the report afterward.
We can review the report afterwards.
General writing:
The author explains the decision afterward.
The author explains the decision afterwards.
When choosing between them, focus on the English variety you are using rather than trying to create a difference in meaning.
Afterword vs Afterward vs Afterwards
Afterword, afterward, and afterwards look similar, but afterword has a completely different meaning.
What Does Afterword Mean?
An afterword is a concluding section of a book or another written work. It is a noun, while afterward and afterwards are adverbs. Cambridge lists afterword alongside terms such as epilogue, final section, and concluding addition.
For example:
The author added an afterword to the revised edition.
An afterword may provide additional comments, background, explanations, or reflections after the main text.
By contrast:
We talked afterward.
Here, afterward means later.
Therefore, the three words cannot be used interchangeably.
A Simple Comparison
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| afterward | later | We talked afterward. |
| afterwards | later | We talked afterwards. |
| afterword | a concluding section of a book | The author added an afterword. |
If you mean that something happened later, use afterward or afterwards.
Incorrect:
We talked afterword.
Correct:
We talked afterward.
Or:
We talked afterwards.
Which One Should You Use?
The right choice depends mainly on your audience and the variety of English you are using.
If You Write for an American Audience
Use afterward as the natural default.
We will discuss the results afterward.
This follows the usual American English preference. However, afterwards is also recognized in American English, so its presence does not automatically indicate an error.
If You Write for a British Audience
Use afterwards as the natural default.
We will discuss the results afterwards.
This follows the common British English preference.
At the same time, afterward is not automatically incorrect in British English.
For International or Mixed Audiences
Either form can be appropriate.
If your article or document follows a particular English variety, choose the form that fits that variety and use it consistently. There is no need to switch between afterward and afterwards simply to vary your wording.
Also, neither form is inherently more formal. The distinction is primarily regional.
Common Mistakes With Afterward and Afterwards
Assuming afterwards Is Wrong in American English
American English generally favors afterward, but afterwards is also recognized as an alternative form.
Assuming afterward Is Wrong in British English
British English generally favors afterwards, but that does not make afterward automatically incorrect.
Thinking the Two Forms Have Different Meanings
Both words mean later or at a later time. The extra -s does not create a separate meaning.
Treating the Extra -s as a Grammatical Difference
The two forms have the same basic grammatical function: both are adverbs.
Confusing Afterword With Afterward
An afterword is a concluding section of a written work. Afterward means later.
Using Afterword When You Mean “Later”
If you mean that an event happened later, use afterward or afterwards:
We went to dinner afterward.
We went to dinner afterwards.
Changing Forms Without a Reason
If you are writing consistently in American English, afterward will usually fit best. In British English, afterwards will usually fit best.
There is no need to alternate between the two forms simply for variety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I use afterward and afterwards in the same article?
Yes. Both forms are standard, but consistency is usually better. If your article follows American English, afterward is the natural default; in British English, afterwards is more typical.
Q2. Does afterwards sound more formal than afterward?
No. Neither form is inherently more formal. The difference mainly reflects regional usage rather than formality.
Q3. Can afterward appear at the beginning of a sentence?
Yes. It can naturally begin a sentence when it refers to something that happened later.
Afterward, we returned to the office.
The same applies to afterwards.
Q4. Can I say soon afterward and soon afterwards?
Yes. Both expressions are grammatical and mean that something happened soon after an earlier event.
We spoke soon afterward.
We spoke soon afterwards.
Q5. Is afterword ever used to mean “later”?
No. Afterword is a noun that refers to a concluding section of a book or other written work. When you mean “later,” use afterward or afterwards.
Q6. Does the extra -s in afterwards change its grammatical function?
No. Afterward and afterwards both function as adverbs and express the same basic time relationship. The difference is mainly regional.
Conclusion
Afterward and afterwards both mean “later,” so you can normally use either without changing the meaning. The main difference is regional preference: afterward is the usual choice in American English, while afterwards is more common in British English.
Choose the form that matches your intended variety of English and use it consistently. Also, remember that afterword is different: it is a noun for a concluding section of a book, not an adverb meaning “later.”