Confused about whether to use afterward or afterwards? You’re not alone. English is full of tiny variations that can trip up even experienced writers.
In this guide, we’ll break down the differences, historical background, regional usage, practical tips, examples, and synonyms—everything you need to confidently use afterward and afterwards in your writing.
Quick Overview
At first glance, afterward and afterwards seem identical. Both mean “following in time” or “later”, and both are grammatically correct. The confusion arises mainly from regional differences, stylistic preferences, and historical shifts in spelling.
Here’s a simple example to illustrate:
- I went to the store and afterward visited my friend.
- I went to the store and afterwards visited my friend.
Both sentences are correct, but the first leans toward American English, and the second toward British English.
Why This Confusion Exists
Several factors contribute to the confusion:
- Regional preferences: American writers usually drop the “s,” while British writers often keep it.
- Historical spelling: English spelling evolved differently in the UK and US.
- Analogous patterns: Other words like toward/towards and forward/forwards follow the same variation.
This explains why you might see a British newspaper using afterwards while an American magazine prefers afterward.
Shared Definition
Both afterward and afterwards share a single core meaning: “later in time”.
Example sentences:
- She completed her homework and went for a walk afterward.
- The team reviewed the results and celebrated afterwards.
In both cases, the word signals something happening later, without specifying an exact time.
Regional Preferences
| Region | Preferred Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | afterward | Common in formal and informal writing; style guides favor this form |
| United Kingdom | afterwards | Preferred in newspapers, literature, and general writing |
| Canada | mixed | Both forms are widely accepted, context-dependent |
| Australia & NZ | afterwards | Follows British conventions |
Understanding these preferences helps you tailor your writing to your audience.
Historical Usage
The words trace back to Middle English, where the suffix -s was more common in adverbs.
- Afterward: emerged as a simplified American spelling in the 19th century.
- Afterwards: maintained in British English, following older adverb conventions.
This historical context explains why the variation exists but does not affect meaning.
Core Differences
While meaning is identical, subtle differences exist:
- Formality: Some style guides suggest afterward sounds slightly more formal in American writing.
- Frequency: Corpus studies show afterwards is far more common in UK English, whereas afterward dominates in the US.
- Situational preferences: In storytelling or casual dialogue, either is fine; in technical writing, follow regional norms.
Practical Usage Tips
To simplify your choice:
- Use afterward for American English contexts.
- Use afterwards for British English contexts.
- Maintain consistency within a document; don’t mix both forms.
- In dialogue or informal writing, both are acceptable, so choose the one that sounds natural.
Examples in Context
Afterward Examples (American English)
- He studied for the exam and went to the park afterward.
- The movie ended, and we grabbed ice cream afterward.
- She sent the email afterward, once she confirmed the details.
Afterwards Examples (British English)
- We visited the museum and had lunch afterwards.
- The lecture finished, and students asked questions afterwards.
- He called his parents afterwards, once he reached home.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Sentence | American | British |
|---|---|---|
| I finished my work and went home. | I went home afterward. | I went home afterwards. |
| We ate dinner and watched a movie. | We watched a movie afterward. | We watched a movie afterwards. |
Analogous Word Pairs
Other words follow this same US vs UK pattern:
- Toward / Towards
- Forward / Forwards
- Backward / Backwards
- Reward / Rewards
Recognizing these patterns helps you remember which form to use in different regions.
Usage in Different Dialects
American English
- Newspapers, blogs, and books favor afterward.
- Example: “She completed her tasks and went for a walk afterward.”
British English
- Newspapers and literary works favor afterwards.
- Example: “He finished the report and took a short break afterwards.”
Note: Exceptions exist, but following regional norms ensures professional and readable writing.
Synonyms and Alternatives
Using synonyms can add variety and style to your writing.
Common Synonyms
- Later
- Subsequently
- Thereafter
- In the aftermath
- At a later time
Context-Specific Synonyms
| Tone / Context | Synonym | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Formal | Subsequently | The project was reviewed and subsequently approved. |
| Casual | Later | We grabbed snacks later. |
| Narrative | Thereafter | She left the meeting; thereafter, she called her friends. |
| Literary | In the aftermath | In the aftermath of the storm, the town recovered slowly. |
Tips
- Rotate synonyms to avoid repetition.
- Match tone with context: subsequently for formal writing, later for casual.
Case Studies
Public Speeches
- American English Example:
“We passed the law and addressed its consequences afterward.” - British English Example:
“We passed the law and addressed its consequences afterwards.”
These examples demonstrate that meaning is preserved, but spelling reflects regional convention.
Origins and Etymology
- Afterward: Originates from Middle English afterwarde, simplified in American English by dropping the “s.”
- Afterwards: Maintained in British English, following the traditional adverbial suffix convention.
Fun fact: The “-s” in afterwards is similar to other adverbs like towards and forwards, reflecting an older grammatical rule.
Common Mistakes
- Mixing forms: Using afterward and afterwards in the same document can confuse readers.
- Assuming one is wrong: Both forms are correct; regional context matters.
- Overusing synonyms: Too many variations in a single sentence may disrupt flow.
Practical tip: Choose a form based on your audience, and be consistent.
General Guidelines
- Use afterward for American English writing.
- Use afterwards for British English writing.
- Maintain consistency within paragraphs and documents.
- Use synonyms strategically to improve readability and style.
Key Takeaways
- Both afterward and afterwards mean “later in time”.
- Regional preferences are the main difference: US = afterward, UK = afterwards.
- Historical spelling conventions explain the -s variation.
- Use examples, synonyms, and style consistency to write clearly.
FAQs
What is the difference between afterward and afterwards?
The difference is mainly regional. American English prefers afterward, while British English prefers afterwards. Meaning remains identical.
Can I use afterward in British English?
Yes, but afterwards is more common and often sounds natural in UK writing.
Are afterward and afterwards interchangeable?
Yes, meaning-wise they are interchangeable, but choose based on your audience and style guide.
Which is more formal, afterward or afterwards?
There is no strict formality difference, though afterward may sound slightly formal in American English.
Do other words follow the same pattern?
Yes, words like toward/towards, forward/forwards, backward/backwards follow the same US vs UK pattern.
