7 Easy Ways to Use Afterward or Afterwards

If you’ve ever paused over afterward or afterwards you’re dealing with a small difference that can make a big difference in your confidence as a writer. Both forms are correct. The main difference is regional preference. Afterward is more common in American English while afterwards is more common in British English.

For readers in the United States afterward is usually the better choice. It sounds natural in everyday American writing and speech. You won’t be wrong if you use afterwards but it may sound a little more British to an American reader.

The two words have the same basic meaning. Both mean later or after something has happened. This guide explains the difference between them how each word works in a sentence why American English tends to favor one form and how to choose the right one without second guessing yourself.

Quick Definition

Afterward and afterwards are adverbs that mean at a later time or after something else happens. They can usually replace each other without changing the meaning of a sentence.

The main difference is usage by region. American English generally favors afterward while British English commonly uses afterwards.

Direct Answer

Both afterward and afterwards are correct. For American English use afterward as your default choice while afterwards is more common in British English.

Comparison Table

Word	Meaning	Example Sentence	Best Use
Afterward	Later or after something happens.	We went out for coffee afterward.	More common in American English.
Afterwards	Later or after something happens.	We went out for coffee afterwards.	More common in British English.

Why Both Forms Are Correct

The first thing to know is that you don’t have to worry about one form being grammatically wrong. Both words have been used in English for a very long time. They serve the same grammatical purpose and carry the same basic meaning.

The difference is mostly a matter of regional style. English has developed different habits in different countries. American English often prefers shorter forms while British English sometimes keeps the longer form with the added s.

You can see the same kind of regional difference with many other words. American English often uses toward while British English commonly uses towards. Both forms are accepted. The same pattern helps explain why American writers often choose afterward while British writers often choose afterwards.

This doesn’t mean every American uses the shorter form or every British writer uses the longer one. People have individual preferences. Publishing style guides can also influence which form a writer chooses.

The useful rule is simple. If you’re writing for a general US audience choose afterward. If you’re writing for a British audience afterwards will sound completely natural.

What Afterward Means

Afterward means at a later time or after a particular event. It connects one event to something that happens later.

• Consider this sentence.
• We had dinner and went for a walk afterward.

The word tells us that the walk happened after dinner. It doesn’t tell us exactly how much time passed. The walk could have started five minutes later or an hour later. Here’s another example.

She finished her presentation and answered questions afterward.

The presentation happened first. The questions came later. Afterward creates that simple time connection.

You can use the word after many kinds of events.

• I called my sister afterward.
• He felt tired afterward.
• We talked about the movie afterward.
• They cleaned the kitchen afterward.
• The meeting ended at noon and everyone left shortly afterward.

In each sentence the word points back to something that already happened. It tells the reader that another action came later.

What Afterwards Means

Afterwards has the same meaning. It also means at a later time or after an event. For example.

• We had dinner and went for a walk afterwards.
• She finished her presentation and answered questions afterwards.
• He felt tired afterwards.

There is no meaningful difference in the basic meaning of these sentences. The choice between the two forms mainly reflects regional preference and personal style.

An American reader will understand afterwards without trouble. A British reader will understand afterward just as easily. That makes this a style question rather than a question of right and wrong grammar.

The Main Difference In American English

If your audience is in the United States the shorter form is usually the safer choice. American dictionaries and American writing commonly use afterward.

That doesn’t make the longer form incorrect in the United States. You may still see afterwards in American books websites newspapers and conversations. It simply isn’t the form most associated with standard American usage. For example an American writer might naturally write:

• We grabbed lunch afterward.
• A British writer might naturally write:
• We grabbed lunch afterwards.
• Both sentences communicate exactly the same idea.

If you’re writing an article for an American website there’s usually no reason to switch between the two forms. Pick afterward and use it consistently.

Consistency matters more than trying to make every sentence sound different. A reader isn’t likely to stop because you used the shorter form. They may notice inconsistent spelling if you alternate between both forms for no clear reason.

When To Use Afterwards

There are several situations where afterwards is perfectly reasonable.

The first is when you’re writing for a British audience. British English commonly uses the longer form and readers in the United Kingdom will find it natural.

The second is when you’re following a style guide that prefers it. A publication may have its own rules about regional spelling and word choice. If the style guide tells you to use afterwards then follow that guide.

The third is personal preference. Some writers simply prefer the sound or appearance of the longer form. That’s fine as long as the choice fits the audience and remains consistent. For example:

• We visited the museum and went to dinner afterwards.
• She spoke with her manager and sent the report afterwards.
• They went home shortly afterwards.
• These sentences are grammatically sound.

When To Use Afterward

For a US audience afterward is usually the natural choice. Use it when you want to say that something happened later. For example:

• We talked about the problem afterward.
• I’ll call you afterward.
• She apologized afterward.
• The kids played outside afterward.
• The store closed shortly afterward.

The word works well in casual writing and formal writing. You can use it in a text message or in a professional report. For American readers it also tends to look more familiar because the shorter form is common in US dictionaries and publications.

How Afterward Works In A Sentence

Understanding where the word fits can make your writing smoother. Because afterward is an adverb it usually describes when an action happens. It can appear at the end of a sentence or sometimes near the beginning. For example:

• We went home afterward.
• Afterward we went home.
• Both sentences are correct.

The first version sounds very natural in everyday conversation. The second version puts a little more focus on the later event.

• You can also place it after a verb phrase.
• She apologized afterward.
• They spoke with the teacher afterward.
• He regretted the decision afterward.

The position can change slightly depending on what you want to emphasize but the basic meaning stays the same.

Afterward At The End Of A Sentence

• Ending a sentence with afterward is extremely common.
• We talked afterward.
• I’ll explain everything afterward.
• She called me afterward.
• They laughed about it afterward.

This placement is simple and natural because the word refers back to an event already mentioned. For example:

• We watched the game and went to a restaurant afterward.
• The reader immediately understands that the restaurant visit happened after watching the game.
• You don’t need to add another time expression. The word already gives the reader the needed connection.

Afterward At The Beginning Of A Sentence

• You can also begin a sentence with afterward.
• Afterward we went back to the hotel.
• Afterward she told me what happened.
• Afterward they decided to change their plans.
• This structure can be useful when you want to emphasize what happened next.

In careful writing you may see a comma after an opening adverb such as afterward. However the punctuation can depend on sentence length and style.

• For a simple sentence many writers prefer:
• Afterward we went home.
• For a longer sentence you might write:

Afterward we went back to the hotel because everyone was tired. The main point is that the word can move around without changing its basic meaning.

Common Expressions With Afterward

Some combinations appear again and again in everyday English. Learning these patterns can help you use the word naturally.

Shortly Afterward

Shortly afterward means soon after something happened. For example:

• The police arrived shortly afterward.
• She moved to Chicago shortly afterward.
• The company released a statement shortly afterward.

The word shortly tells the reader that not much time passed between the first event and the second.

Soon Afterward

• Soon afterward has a similar meaning.
• He left the office and called me soon afterward.
• They got married and moved to Texas soon afterward.

The two expressions are close in meaning. Both work well when you want to show that events happened fairly close together.

Immediately Afterward

• This phrase shows that something happened right away.
• She finished the interview and called her mother immediately afterward.
• The patient rested immediately afterward.
• The team held a meeting immediately afterward.
• This expression is stronger than shortly afterward because it suggests little or no delay.

The Day Afterward

This form is possible but it isn’t always the most natural choice. In many situations the next day sounds clearer. For example:

• We talked about it the next day.
• This is often better than:
• We talked about it the day afterward.

The longer version isn’t necessarily wrong but simpler wording usually sounds more natural.

Afterward Compared With Later

Afterward and later can both refer to a future point in time but they aren’t always interchangeable.

Later has a broader meaning. It simply means at a time after now or after another point in time. For example:

• I’ll call you later.
• That sentence doesn’t tell us what event the word relates to.
• Afterward usually connects one event to another.
• We had dinner and went for a walk afterward.
• The word clearly means after dinner.
• This difference becomes useful when you want to make a sentence precise.
• Compare these examples.
• I’ll see you later.
• I’ll see you afterward.

The first sentence simply means at some later time. The second suggests that the meeting or action will happen after something already mentioned or understood.

Afterward Compared With Then

Then can also refer to a later event but it has several meanings. It can show sequence or refer to a particular time.

• We ate dinner and then watched a movie.
• We ate dinner and watched a movie afterward.

Both sentences show that the movie came after dinner. The first uses then to show the sequence. The second uses afterward to refer back to the earlier event.

The difference is small but useful. Then often helps move a story forward. Afterward often points back to an earlier event.

Afterward Compared With Later On

• Later on is an informal way to say at a later time.
• We talked about it later on.
• We talked about it afterward.

These sentences can mean nearly the same thing if the context is clear.

Still afterward usually has a stronger connection to a previous event. Later on can simply refer to a future point without clearly connecting it to a specific action. For everyday American English both forms sound natural.

Common Mistakes With These Words

The biggest mistake is assuming that one form is wrong. It isn’t.

Some people are told that afterwards is incorrect because American English often prefers afterward. That’s not accurate. The longer form is standard English and is especially common in British English.

Another mistake is switching between forms without a reason. If you’re writing an article for US readers and use afterward in one paragraph then afterwards in another you may create an inconsistent style.

There is also a tendency to add unnecessary words. For example:

• We discussed the problem afterward after the meeting.
• This sentence repeats the same time idea. A cleaner version is:
• We discussed the problem after the meeting.

Or:

• We had a meeting and discussed the problem afterward.
• Good writing doesn’t need extra time words when one clear expression does the job.

Is Afterwards More Formal

• No. Afterwards isn’t more formal simply because it has an extra letter.
• Both forms can appear in casual and formal writing. The main difference is regional preference.
• You can use afterward in a formal report.
• The committee met on Tuesday and released its findings afterward.
• You can also use afterwards in casual speech.
• We went out for pizza afterwards.
• Formality isn’t the deciding factor here. Audience and regional style are more useful guides.

Is Afterward More Correct

No. Afterward isn’t grammatically more correct than afterwards.

For American English it is usually the preferred form. That preference doesn’t make the longer version wrong.

Think of the difference as a matter of dialect. American English and British English often have different preferences for words that mean the same thing.

The same idea appears with toward and towards. Both are correct. American writing often favors toward while British writing frequently uses towards.

The pattern is useful because it shows why you shouldn’t treat the extra s as a grammar error.

A Simple Memory Trick

If you’re writing for Americans remember that afterward is the common US choice.

One easy way to remember it is to connect it with toward. American English often prefers the shorter forms toward and afterward. British English commonly uses towards and afterwards.

You don’t need to memorize a complicated grammar rule. Just remember the audience.

US audience means afterward is usually the natural choice.

British audience means afterwards is often the natural choice.

If you aren’t writing for a specific regional audience either form is acceptable. Pick one and use it consistently.

Examples For American Writers

• If you’re writing for a US audience these examples show how naturally the shorter form fits.
• We went to dinner afterward.
• I’ll send you the details afterward.
• She felt much better afterward.
• The children went outside afterward.
• We talked about the decision afterward.
• He apologized shortly afterward.
• The meeting ended and everyone left afterward.
• She called her parents soon afterward.
• They moved to Florida afterward.
• I realized my mistake afterward.

These examples cover common situations in conversation work school and general writing. The word doesn’t need special treatment. Use it when you want to show that one action happened after another.

Examples For British English

• A British writer may naturally choose the longer form.
• We went to dinner afterwards.
• I’ll send you the details afterwards.
• She felt much better afterwards.
• The children went outside afterwards.
• We talked about the decision afterwards.
• He apologized shortly afterwards.
• The meeting ended and everyone left afterwards.
• She called her parents soon afterwards.
• The meaning remains unchanged.

This is why you should not treat the two spellings as competing words. They’re two accepted forms of the same adverb.

How The Choice Affects Your Writing

For most readers the difference will barely register. An American reader won’t have trouble understanding afterwards. A British reader won’t have trouble understanding afterward.

Still word choice can create a sense of place. Small spelling and vocabulary choices often tell readers where a writer’s English comes from.

For example American English often uses color while British English uses colour. American English commonly uses center while British English uses centre.

The difference between afterward and afterwards works in a similar way. It can hint at regional style even though both forms are correct.

This matters most for professional publishing. If a website is written for American readers it usually makes sense to follow American conventions throughout the article. The same applies to publications aimed at British readers.

Should You Use Both Forms In One Article

• You can but you usually shouldn’t.
• There is no grammar rule that prevents you from using both. The issue is consistency and style.
• Suppose you’re writing an American English article. You might write:
• We went home afterward.
• Then several paragraphs later you write:
• They talked about it afterwards.
• Nothing is grammatically wrong. Still the change may look accidental.

A consistent choice makes your writing feel more polished. If your audience is American choose afterward throughout. If your audience is British choose afterwards throughout unless a quotation or source requires the other form.

Common Expressions With Afterward

Editors usually look at audience first. If a publication follows American English conventions the editor will generally favor afterward. If it follows British English conventions afterwards may be preferred.

An editor may also check consistency across the entire piece. Regional spelling isn’t just about one word. It often forms part of a broader style system.

For example an American publication may use color center favorite and toward. A British publication may use colour centre favourite and towards.

The goal isn’t to decide that one style is better. The goal is to match the language to the readers.

FAQs

Is afterward or afterwards correct?

Both forms are correct. The main difference is regional preference. American English tends to favor afterward while British English commonly uses afterwards.

Is afterward more common in American English?

Yes. Afterward is generally the more common choice in American English. If you’re writing for a US audience it is the form you will usually want.

Is afterwards wrong in American English?

No. Afterwards is still correct English in the United States. It simply has a stronger association with British English and may sound slightly less typical to some American readers.

Do afterward and afterwards mean the same thing?

Yes. Both words mean at a later time or after something else happens. You can usually replace one with the other without changing the meaning of a sentence.

Which form should I use in an American essay?

Use afterward if you’re following standard American English style. It is clear natural and widely accepted in US writing.

Which form should I use in British English?

Afterwards is a common and natural choice in British English. You can also see afterward in British writing because both forms are accepted.

Is afterward an adverb?

Yes. Afterward is an adverb that tells the reader when something happens. In a sentence such as We went home afterward it shows that going home happened after the earlier event.

Can I use afterward at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes. You can begin a sentence with afterward when you want to show what happened next. For example Afterward we went back to the hotel.

Conclusion

The choice between afterward or afterwards isn’t a battle between correct and incorrect English. Both forms are correct and both mean later or after something has happened. The real difference is regional style.

For American English afterward is usually the best choice. It fits naturally in everyday US speech and writing. For British English afterwards is more common and sounds completely natural to British readers.

If you’re writing for a US audience you can keep things simple by using afterward throughout your work. If you’re writing for a British audience afterwards is a strong choice. When no specific audience matters either form works.

The practical rule is easy to remember. Think about your readers first and then stay consistent. Once you know that American English generally favors the shorter form you’ll have little reason to pause over this word again.