Afterward and afterwards mean exactly the same thing: at a later time. The difference is not about meaning at all — it’s simply about which spelling shows up more in your writing.
What Do “Afterward” and “Afterwards” Mean?
Both words describe something that happens after an event. They work as adverbs, which means they tell you when something happened, not what happened.
Afterward Meaning and Example Sentences
- We grabbed coffee and talked afterward.
- She felt nervous during the interview but relaxed afterward.
- He apologized shortly afterward.
Afterwards Meaning and Example Sentences
- We grabbed coffee and talked afterwards.
- She felt nervous during the interview but relaxed afterwards.
- He apologized shortly afterwards.
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Afterward vs Afterwards:
Word-frequency data from published books shows a clear pattern. Afterward (no “s”) shows up more often in everyday writing across the U.S., while afterwards appears more in fiction, journalism, and casual speech.
When Writers Choose Afterward
Many style guides and editors lean toward afterward for cleaner, tighter prose. It reads slightly more direct on the page.
When Writers Choose Afterwards
Afterwards feels a touch more conversational. You’ll spot it often in dialogue, blogs, and informal writing.
Afterward vs Afterwards
| Feature | Afterward | Afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | At a later time | At a later time |
| Part of speech | Adverb | Adverb |
| Spelling | No “s” | Ends in “s” |
| Common in | Formal, tighter writing | Casual, conversational writing |
| Correct? | Yes | Yes |
Are They Interchangeable?
Yes. You can use afterward or afterwards in nearly any sentence without changing its meaning. Pick one style and stay consistent within the same piece of writing.
Correct vs Incorrect Usage
- ✅ We left the party and went home afterward.
- ❌ We left the party and went home afterword.
- ✅ The book’s afterword was written by a historian.
- ❌ The book’s afterward was written by a historian.
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A Simple Memory Trick
Afterword has the word word hidden inside it — and it’s about words in a book. Afterward and afterwards don’t relate to books at all; they relate to time.
Conclusion
Afterward and afterwards are two correct spellings of the same word, and the choice between them comes down to personal style, not grammar rules. Just don’t confuse either one with afterword, which means something entirely different. Once you know the difference, you’ll never second-guess this word again.
FAQs About Afterward vs Afterwards
Is it “afterward” or “afterwards”?
Both spellings are correct and mean the same thing — pick one and use it consistently.
Do afterward and afterwards mean different things?
No, they’re identical in meaning; only the spelling differs.
Is one version more formal than the other?
Afterward tends to appear in tighter, more formal writing, while afterwards feels slightly more conversational — and afterwards is also more common in British English, while afterward is more common in the U.S.
Can I use afterward and afterwards in the same document?
It’s best to pick one spelling and stick with it for consistency.
What’s the difference between afterward and afterword?
Afterward/afterwards refer to time; afterword refers to a closing section in a book.
Olivia Smith is the author and admin of GrammarAct, an informational grammar website. She writes clear guides, simple explanations, and helpful lessons to make grammar easy for everyone.
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