Afterward Or Afterwards: What’s the Difference?

“Afterward” and “afterwards” are two adverbs that mean the same thing: something happening later in time. While both can be used interchangeably, the choice between them often depends on where you are. American English speakers usually prefer “afterward,” while British English speakers tend to use “afterwards.”

In this article, we’ll discuss Afterward and Afterword deeply with their differences. 

How to Pronounce Afterward

To pronounce “afterward”, break it down like this:

• Af – sounds like “af” in “after”.
• Ter – like “ter” in “butter”.
• Ward – rhymes with “bird” or “word”.

When you put it together, it sounds like “AF-ter-werd.” It’s pretty straightforward, and the stress is on the first part: AF.

Read more: Plural of apple

How to Pronounce Afterwards 

To pronounce afterwards, break it down like this:

• Af – sounds like the “af” in after.
• ter – rhymes with her.
• wards – sounds like words.

So, when you say it together, it’s af-ter-wards. The ending has a slight “z” sound, but it’s very similar to afterward—just with that extra “s” at the end.

Easy, right? It’s just like saying after and then adding wards.

Key Difference: Meanings of Afterward vs Afterwards

The key difference between afterward and afterwards is in where they are commonly used. Both words mean the same thing: “at a later time.” The difference is mostly about location.

Afterward is more common in American English.

• We had dinner, and afterward, we went for a walk.
• I’ll finish my work, and then I’ll relax afterward.
• Afterwards is preferred in British and Canadian English.

Afterwards is preferred in British and Canadian English.

• We went to the museum, and afterwards, we grabbed some lunch.
• She cleaned the house, and afterwards, she watched a movie.

Both are used the same way, just spelled differently depending on where you are.

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Why So Confusing: The Origins

The confusion between afterward and afterwards comes from their origins in Old English. Both words come from the same root, but the endings “-ward” and “-wards” had slightly different meanings back then:

• “-ward” comes from the Old English word weard, meaning “turning” or “facing.” It was used to create adverbs (words that describe actions).
• “-wards” was used more like a direction or movement, similar to prepositions (words that show relationships between things, like “toward”).

Over time, these differences blurred, and both words came to mean the same thing: “at a later time.” Now, they are used almost interchangeably, but different regions (like the U.S. or the U.K.) prefer one over the other.

Regional Preferences: Afterward Or Afterwards

When it comes to afterward and afterwards, the main difference lies in regional preferences:

• In American English, people tend to use “afterward” without the “s.”
• In British English (and other places like Canada), “afterwards” with the “s” is more common.

Both words mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably, but which one you choose depends mostly on where you are or who you’re writing for.

In the U.S., you’d say, “We went for dinner afterward,” while in the U.K., it would be “We went for dinner afterwards.”

Using Afterward and Afterwards Properly

Using afterward and afterwards correctly is pretty straightforward since they mean the same thing. Here are some tips to help you use them properly:

• Adverb Use: Both words act as adverbs to indicate something happening later. For example:
  • American English: “We finished the meeting, and afterward, we went for coffee.”
  • British English: “We finished the meeting, and afterwards, we went for coffee.”

• Consistency: Choose one form and stick with it in your writing. If you start with “afterward,” keep using it throughout your text. Don’t mix them in the same sentence.

• Regional Differences: Remember that “afterward” is more common in American English, while “afterwards” is preferred in British English. So, use “afterward” if you’re writing for an American audience and “afterwards” for a British audience.

How to Remember the Difference

Remembering the difference between afterward and afterwards can be easy if you use a few simple tricks:

• Think About the Suffix:
  • Afterward has “ward” at the end. You can remember this as relating to an adverb, which tells you about when something happens.
  • Afterwards has “wards,” which can remind you that it can be used more like a preposition or adverb.

• Use the Sentence Test:
  • If you can replace the word with “later” or “subsequently,” use afterward.
    • Example: “We went to dinner afterward” (can be “later”).
  • If you can replace it with just “after,” use afterwards.
    • Example: “We met afterwards for coffee” (can be “after”).

• Regional Association:
  • Afterward is mainly used in American English.
  • Afterwards is more common in British English.
    So, if you think of where your audience is from, it can help you choose the right word.

Read more: Plural of Loaf

What Afterward and Afterwards Are Not: Common Mistakes

When using afterward and afterwards, it’s important not to confuse them with similar-sounding words that have different meanings. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:

1. Afterword:
   This is a completely different word. An afterword is a section at the end of a book that offers commentary or reflection. For example, “The afterword in the novel gives insight into the author’s thoughts.”
2. Aftercare:
   This term refers to the care given to someone after a medical procedure or treatment. For instance, “Aftercare is essential for patients recovering from surgery.”
3. After-effects:
   This means the consequences or results that occur after an event. For example, “The after-effects of the storm included power outages and fallen trees.”

The key thing to remember is that afterward and afterwards relate to time and sequences of events, while these other terms refer to specific situations or concepts. By keeping this in mind, you can avoid common mix-ups!

Afterward (American English):

1. We went for ice cream after the movie, and afterward, we took a walk along the beach.
2. She finished her exam early and went out with friends afterward.
3. He decided to call his parents to share the good news, and afterward, he felt much lighter.
4. The team celebrated their victory with a party, and afterward, they discussed their plans for the next season.
5. I’ll finish my homework now, and afterward, I can watch my favourite show.

Synonyms and Antonyms of Afterward

Synonyms	Antonyms
Subsequently	Previously
Later	Beforehand
In the wake	Earlier
Following	In advance

Synonyms and Antonyms of Afterwards

Synonyms	Antonyms
Subsequently	Previously
Later	Beforehand
In the wake	Earlier
In the aftermath	Antecedently

Afterwards (British English):

1. We enjoyed a lovely dinner at the restaurant, and afterwards, we took a stroll along the riverbank.
2. She finished her exam early and went for coffee with friends afterwards.
3. The meeting was quite long, but we managed to discuss everything we needed; afterwards, we celebrated with some pastries.
4. They watched the football match and, afterwards, shared their thoughts on the team’s performance.
5. He attended a workshop on photography, and afterwards, he felt inspired to improve his skills.

Why Usage Matters

Usage matters because the words we choose can affect how others see us. Using “afterward” or “afterwards” correctly shows that we understand the language and respect the reader.

If we mix them up, it might confuse people or make our writing seem less professional.

For example, if someone writes an essay and uses these words inconsistently, it can look sloppy.

Additionally, using the right form for the audience—like “afterward” in American English and “afterwards” in British English—can make a big difference in how our message is received. Overall, paying attention to these details helps us communicate clearly and effectively.

Read more: Past Tense of Wear

A Deep Dive: Parts of Speech and Word Roots

When we look closely at “afterward” and “afterwards,” we see they serve as parts of speech and have interesting word roots.

Parts of Speech:

• “Afterward” is an adverb. It tells us about when something happens, specifically after something else.
• “Afterwards” can be both an adverb and a preposition. It also indicates a time following an event.

Word Roots: The endings of these words give us clues about their meanings:

• The suffix “-ward” in “afterward” comes from Old English and means “turning” or “facing.” This hints that it describes a direction in time.
• The suffix “-wards” in “afterwards” comes from a similar Old English root and suggests a broader or more general direction in time.

In modern English, both words are often used interchangeably to mean something that happens later. But understanding their origins helps us appreciate the subtle differences in how we use them today.

Separating Afterward from Afterword

It’s easy to mix up “afterward” and “afterword,” but they mean very different things.

“Afterward” is an adverb that tells us about something happening at a later time. For example, you might say, “We went to the movie, and afterward, we had dinner.” Here, it shows the order of events.

On the other hand, an “afterword” is a noun. It refers to a section at the end of a book or piece of writing that talks about what was written or gives extra information. For instance, you might read, “The author included an interesting afterword that explained the story’s background.”

So, remember: “afterward” relates to time, while “afterword” is about writing!

Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between “afterward” and “afterwards” can help you communicate more clearly. Both words mean something happening later, but “afterward” is often used in American English, while “afterwards” is more common in British English.

Always remember that “afterword” is a completely different term that refers to a section at the end of a book. Being aware of these distinctions can improve your writing and help you avoid confusion. So, whether you’re writing or speaking, just choose the right word for your audience and context, and you’ll be all set!

Frequently Asked Question

When should the word ‘Afterward’ be used?

Use “afterward” when you want to refer to something happening later, especially in American English.

When is the appropriate context for using the word ‘Afterwards’?

Use “afterwards” in similar situations, especially in British English, to mean later or following an event.

Do the two words share the same pronunciation?

Yes, both “afterward” and “afterwards” sound almost the same when spoken.

What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?

People often mix them up, using “afterword” instead of “afterward” or “afterwards,” confusing it with the ending of a book.