Afterwards or Afterward: Which One is Correct?

Many English learners and even native speakers often wonder: should you say “afterwards” or “afterward”? Both words mean the same thing   “at a later time”   but the spelling differs depending on location and style preferences. 

This confusion is common in writing emails, essays, news articles, and social media posts. Choosing the right version helps you sound professional and ensures your writing aligns with your audience’s expectations.

People often search for this keyword because automated grammar tools or spellcheckers flag one version as “incorrect” depending on the English variant they use. Knowing the difference also improves your clarity and prevents embarrassing mistakes in formal writing. In this guide, we’ll break down the usage, origin, regional preferences, common mistakes, and real-world examples so you can confidently choose between afterwards and afterward every time.

---

Afterwards or Afterward – Quick Answer

• Meaning: Both mean “at a later time” or “following an event.”
• Examples:
  • We went to the park and afterward had ice cream.
  • She finished her work and afterwards went for a walk.

✅ Both are correct. The choice depends on whether you’re using American or British English.

---

The Origin of Afterwards/Afterward

The word comes from Middle English: after + ward(s), meaning “toward later time.” The addition of -s is a traditional English variant that became more common in British usage. Over time, American English dropped the -s, simplifying the word to afterward. Despite the difference in spelling, the meaning has remained the same.

---

British English vs American English Spelling

• British English: Afterwards (more common)
• American English: Afterward (more common)

Variant	Region	Example Sentence
Afterwards	UK, Australia, Canada	He left the meeting and afterwards went home.
Afterward	US	She read the report and afterward called her manager.

Tip: Both are correct grammatically. Just match your spelling to your target audience.

---

Which Spelling Should You Use?

• US audience: Use afterward.
• UK, Commonwealth, or global English: Use afterwards.
• Neutral/International content: Either works, but consistency is key.

Consistency is more important than the version itself. Switching between the two in one text looks unprofessional.

---

Common Mistakes with Afterwards/Afterward

1. Spelling inconsistency: “We went out afterward and afterwards had dinner.” ❌
   ✅ Correct: Use one version consistently.
2. Confusing with “afterwards of”: ❌ “He did it afterwards of the meeting.”
   ✅ Correct: “He did it afterwards.”
3. Using in formal emails awkwardly: ❌ “Afterwards, I will be available to discuss.”
   ✅ Polished: “I will be available to discuss afterward.”

---

Afterwards or Afterward in Everyday Examples

• Email: I attended the workshop and afterward shared the notes with the team.
• News Article: The Prime Minister gave a speech and afterwards answered questions from journalists.
• Social Media: Went for a run and afterward grabbed a smoothie!
• Formal Writing: The experiment concluded, and afterwards the results were analyzed.

---

Afterwards or Afterward – Google Trends & Usage Data

Google Trends shows afterward is more frequently searched in the United States, while afterwards dominates in the UK, Australia, and Canada. Both are increasing in usage in educational and professional contexts, especially in writing guides, ESL resources, and corporate communication tips.

Keyword	Popularity by Region
Afterward	US, Philippines
Afterwards	UK, Australia, Canada, India

---

FAQs: Afterwards or Afterward

1. Are afterwards and afterward the same?
   Yes, they mean the same thing; only spelling differs by region.
2. Which is more formal?
   Both are neutral; however, afterward is often preferred in American formal writing.
3. Can I use afterwards in the US?
   Yes, but it may appear slightly old-fashioned.
4. Is afterward more common in writing or speech?
   Both are used in writing; afterward is slightly more common in American speech.
5. Do I need to use a comma before afterwards/afterward?
   Only if it starts a sentence or clause: “Afterward, we went home.” ✅
6. Which one should I use in academic writing?
   Match your style guide: US English → afterward; UK English → afterwards.
7. Are there other similar pairs?
   Yes, e.g., toward/towards, forward/forwards, with the same US vs UK distinction.

---

Conclusion

Both afterwards and afterward are correct, and the difference lies in spelling preference rather than meaning. Use afterward for American audiences and afterwards for British, Australian, and Commonwealth readers. The key is to remain consistent within a document to maintain professionalism. 

Being aware of regional differences ensures your writing is clear and appropriate for your audience, whether in emails, articles, social media posts, or formal writing. Remember, the meaning doesn’t change—only the spelling does.

---