Quick answer: Both “afterward” and “afterwards” mean the same thing—at a later time or subsequently. The difference is regional: “afterward” is standard in American English, while “afterwards” is preferred in British English. Neither is incorrect; choose based on your audience.
If you have ever paused mid-sentence wondering whether to type “afterward” or “afterwards,” you are not alone. These two adverbs confuse writers constantly because they are interchangeable in meaning but differ in regional preference. Understanding when to use each version will make your writing look polished and professional, whether you are drafting a business email to a London client or writing a blog post for American readers.
Quick Comparison Table
| Term | Meaning / When to use | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Afterward | Use in American English; means “at a later time” or “following an event” | “We grabbed coffee afterward to discuss the merger.” |
| Afterwards | Use in British English; means “at a later time” or “following an event” | “We grabbed coffee afterwards to discuss the merger.” |
When to Use Afterward
“Afterward” is the standard spelling in American English. If you are writing for a U.S. audience, submitting content to an American publication, or following U.S. style guides like the Chicago Manual of Style or AP Stylebook, this is the form you want.
The word functions as an adverb meaning “at a later time” or “following a particular event.” According to Wikipedia’s entry on Afterward, this spelling has been the dominant form in American usage for well over a century.
Here are real-world examples showing correct usage:
- Email to your boss: “I will review the Q3 projections and send you my feedback afterward.”
- Resume bullet point: “Managed client onboarding sessions and conducted follow-up surveys afterward to measure satisfaction.”
- Text message to a friend: “The movie starts at 7, so meet me at the theater and we can grab dinner afterward.”
Notice that in each case, “afterward” refers to something happening after a specific event or action. It is clean, concise, and universally understood by American readers.
I see this error constantly in cover letters from international applicants who default to British spelling without realizing it. One candidate wrote, “I will follow up afterwards regarding the position,” in an email to a hiring manager in Chicago. It is not wrong, per se, but it signals that the writer may not be familiar with American conventions—a small detail that can matter in competitive job markets.
When to Use Afterwards
“Afterwards” is the preferred spelling in British English and other Commonwealth varieties, including Australian, Canadian (in many contexts), and New Zealand English. If you are writing for a U.K. audience, submitting to a British publisher, or corresponding with clients in London, this is the form to use.
The meaning is identical to “afterward”—it functions as an adverb indicating that something happens at a later time or following an event. Wikipedia’s entry on Afterwards confirms that this spelling is standard in British usage and appears consistently across U.K. publications.
Real-world examples of correct usage:
- Email to a U.K. client: “The board meeting concludes at 4 PM, and we can discuss the contract afterwards.”
- LinkedIn post: “Just finished presenting at the London Tech Summit. Afterwards, I had brilliant conversations with three potential investors.”
- Text message: “Fancy a pint after the match? We can head to the pub afterwards.”
The key is consistency. If you are using British spelling conventions throughout your document—colour instead of color, organise instead of organize, centre instead of center—then “afterwards” fits naturally into that pattern.
I once edited a manuscript for a British author who had lived in the United States for ten years. Her writing was a confusing mix of “afterward” and “afterwards,” sometimes on the same page. We standardized everything to “afterwards” to match her target audience and the rest of her British spelling choices. The result was a cleaner, more professional final product.
How to Remember the Difference
Here is the simplest memory trick I teach my editing clients: the “S” stands for “Standard in Britain.”
If you are writing for a British audience, add the “S” to get “afterwards.” If you are writing for an American audience, leave the “S” off and use “afterward.”
Another helpful approach: think about other American vs. British spelling patterns. American English tends to drop unnecessary letters (color vs. colour, honor vs. honour, labor vs. labour). “Afterward” follows this pattern—it is the shorter, leaner American version. British English often retains the “s” in adverbs (towards, backwards, forwards, afterwards), so if you remember that pattern, you will never second-guess yourself.
Here is a pro tip that most style guides do not mention: if you are using Microsoft Word or Google Docs, set your language preference to either “English (United States)” or “English (United Kingdom)” before you start writing. The spellchecker will flag the “wrong” version for your selected region, catching mistakes before they slip into your final draft. I use this trick constantly, and it has saved me from embarrassing errors more times than I can count.
Common Mistakes and Exceptions
Mistake #1: Mixing regional spellings inconsistently
The most common error I see is writers who use “afterward” in one paragraph and “afterwards” in the next. This inconsistency looks sloppy and suggests a lack of attention to detail. Pick one spelling based on your audience and stick with it throughout the entire document.
Mistake #2: Confusing “afterward” with “after word”
I have seen this in student essays and professional emails alike. “Afterward” is one word, an adverb. “After word” is two words and would only make sense in a very specific context, like “after word of the scandal spread.” If you mean “later” or “subsequently,” always use the single-word adverb.
Mistake #3: Using “afterward” as an adjective
“Afterward” and “afterwards” are adverbs, not adjectives. You cannot say “the afterward meeting” or “the afterwards event.” If you need an adjective, use “later” or “subsequent” instead: “the later meeting” or “the subsequent event.”
Exception: Canadian English is complicated
Canadian English often blends American and British conventions. Some Canadian style guides prefer “afterwards,” while others accept both forms. If you are writing for a Canadian audience, check the specific style guide you are following, or default to “afterwards” if no guidance is provided—it aligns with other Commonwealth usage.
Exception: Formal academic writing
In highly formal academic contexts, some style guides recommend using “subsequently” or “later” instead of either “afterward” or “afterwards” for variety and precision. However, both forms are grammatically correct in academic writing if used appropriately.
The “toward/towards” parallel
The same American vs. British distinction applies to several other adverbs:
- Toward (American) / Towards (British)
- Forward (American) / Forwards (British)
- Backward (American) / Backwards (British)
- Upward (American) / Upwards (British)
If you remember this pattern, you can apply it across multiple words instead of memorizing each one individually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “afterwards” wrong in American English?
No, it is not grammatically wrong, but it will look out of place in American writing. Most U.S. readers will notice the British spelling, and in professional contexts, it may suggest carelessness or lack of familiarity with American conventions. Stick with “afterward” for American audiences.
Can I use “afterward” and “afterwards” interchangeably?
Technically yes, since they mean the same thing, but you should not do this within the same document. Consistency matters in professional writing. Choose the spelling that matches your audience’s regional preferences and use it consistently throughout.
What about “after while” versus “afterward”?
These are different. “Afterward” is an adverb meaning “later” or “subsequently.” “After a while” is a phrase meaning “after some time has passed.” You would say, “We waited, and after a while, she arrived,” not “We waited, and afterward she arrived”—though both are grammatically correct, they convey slightly different timing.
Do other languages have this same distinction?
No, this is specific to English regional variations. Other languages typically have one standard form for this concept. For example, Spanish uses “después” regardless of whether you are writing for Spain or Latin America, though vocabulary and pronunciation may vary by region.
Brian Garcia has always been fascinated by the intricacies of the English language. With a Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Chicago and over 15 years of experience in the field, Brian has dedicated his career to unraveling the complexities of word usage, comparisons, and spelling. His expertise lies in breaking down commonly confused words, helping readers gain clarity and confidence in their language skills. What drew Brian to this field was his passion for storytelling and his love for the art of communication. As a content creator for WordCompareHub, he focuses on engaging readers with insightful articles that demystify tricky word pairs and offer practical spelling tips. In his free time, Brian enjoys delving into etymology and exploring the evolution of words through history.