Are you confused about whether to use “afterwards” or “afterwords” in your writing? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. These two words are often used interchangeably, but there is a proper usage for each.
The correct word is “afterwards” when referring to something that happens after a particular event or time. It is an adverb that means “at a later or succeeding time; subsequently.”
On the other hand, “afterwords” is not a word in the English language. The correct word to use instead is “afterward,” which is an adverb that means “at a later time.”
Now that we have cleared up the confusion between these two words, let’s dive deeper into their usage and explore some examples.
Define Afterwards
Afterwards is an adverb that means at a later time, following an event or action. It is often used to describe something that occurs after a specific event has taken place. For example, “Afterwards, we went out for dinner to celebrate.”
Afterwards can also be used to describe a consequence or result that occurs as a result of a previous action. For example, “He didn’t study for the exam, and afterwards he regretted it.”
Define Afterwords
Afterwords is a less common word that refers to a concluding statement or remarks made after the main body of a text. It is typically used in the context of a book or other written work, and is often used synonymously with “afterword”.
An afterword is a section of a book that comes after the main text and provides additional information or commentary on the content of the book. It may be written by the author or by someone else, and may include reflections on the writing process, explanations of the author’s intentions, or further discussion of the themes and ideas presented in the book.
| Afterwards | Afterwords |
|---|---|
| Adverb | Noun |
| Describes an event or action that occurs later | Refers to a concluding statement or remarks made after the main body of a text |
| Used in everyday language | Used mainly in the context of books or written works |
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using the right words in a sentence is essential to convey the intended message accurately. In this section, we will discuss how to use “afterwards” and “afterwords” in a sentence.
How To Use “Afterwards” In A Sentence
“Afterwards” is an adverb that means at a later time or following an event. It is often used to indicate a sequence of events or actions that occur in a specific order. Here are some examples:
- After the party, we went to the movies afterwards.
- He finished his work and then went for a walk afterwards.
- She studied for her exam and then went to bed afterwards.
It is important to note that “afterwards” is a single word and should not be confused with “after words,” which is a different phrase with a different meaning.
How To Use “Afterwords” In A Sentence
“Afterwords” is a noun that refers to a concluding statement or remarks made after the main body of a speech or written work. It is often used in academic or literary contexts. Here are some examples:
- The author included an afterword to explain the inspiration behind the book.
- The professor gave an afterword to summarize the main points of the lecture.
- The editor added an afterword to provide additional context for the reader.
It is important to note that “afterwords” is a single word and should not be confused with “after words,” which is two separate words with a different meaning.
More Examples Of Afterwards & Afterwords Used In Sentences
In this section, we will provide more examples of how to use afterwards and afterwords in sentences. By understanding these examples, you will be able to use these words correctly and effectively in your writing.
Examples Of Using Afterwards In A Sentence
- She finished her work, and afterwards, she went for a walk in the park.
- He failed the test, but afterwards, he studied harder and passed with flying colors.
- Afterwards, we went out for dinner to celebrate our success.
- She was tired after the long day at work, but she still went to the gym afterwards.
- He forgot his phone at home, but he only realized it afterwards.
- They finished the project, and afterwards, they presented it to the client.
- She had a headache, but she took some medicine and felt better afterwards.
- He went to the cinema, and afterwards, he met his friends for a drink.
- Afterwards, the team discussed their strategy for the next game.
- She cleaned the house, and afterwards, she relaxed with a book.
Examples Of Using Afterwords In A Sentence
- The book was full of interesting ideas; afterwords, I felt inspired to try something new.
- He wrote a beautiful poem, and afterwords, he read it to his friends.
- She listened to the lecture attentively, and afterwords, she asked the professor some questions.
- Afterwords, they all went out for dinner to celebrate their success.
- The article was well-written and informative; afterwords, I shared it with my colleagues.
- He finished his speech, and afterwords, he received a standing ovation.
- She watched the movie, and afterwords, she discussed it with her friends.
- Afterwords, they all agreed that the project was a success.
- The concert was amazing; afterwords, the audience gave a thunderous applause.
- He finished his presentation, and afterwords, he answered some questions from the audience.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
It is not uncommon for people to use the words “afterwards” and “afterwords” interchangeably. However, this is a mistake that can lead to confusion in communication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Using “Afterwards” Instead Of “Afterward”
One common mistake is using “afterwards” instead of “afterward.” “Afterward” is an adverb that means “at a later time.” For example, “She went to the store and afterward went home.” On the other hand, “afterwards” is an adverb that means “following in time or sequence.” For example, “She went to the store and afterwards went home.” Using “afterwards” instead of “afterward” can change the meaning of a sentence and cause confusion.
Using “Afterwords” Instead Of “Afterward”
Another mistake is using “afterwords” instead of “afterward.” “Afterward” is an adverb that means “at a later time,” while “afterwords” is not a word in the English language. This mistake is often made because “words” is a common noun and people may assume that “afterwords” is a legitimate word.
Confusing “Afterward” With “Afterword”
Some people may confuse “afterward” with “afterword,” which is a noun that means “a concluding section in a book, typically containing a summary of the points made and any conclusions reached.” These two words have different meanings and should not be used interchangeably.
Tips To Avoid These Mistakes
- Double-check your writing to ensure that you are using the correct word.
- Use a dictionary or thesaurus to confirm the meaning of a word.
- Read your writing out loud to catch any mistakes or awkward phrasing.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.
Context Matters
Choosing between the words “afterwards” and “afterwords” can depend on the context in which they are used. While they may seem interchangeable, their usage can vary depending on the situation.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “afterwards” and “afterwords” might change:
| Context | Appropriate Word Choice |
|---|---|
| Written communication | “Afterwards” |
| Verbal communication | “Afterwards” or “Afterwords” |
| Academic writing | “Afterwards” |
| Creative writing | “Afterwords” |
| Legal documents | “Afterwards” |
In written communication, “afterwards” is the appropriate word choice. This includes academic writing and legal documents. In verbal communication, both “afterwards” and “afterwords” can be used interchangeably. However, in creative writing, “afterwords” is more appropriate as it can convey a sense of reflection or contemplation.
It’s essential to consider the context in which you are using these words to ensure that your communication is clear and effective. Using the wrong word can lead to confusion and misunderstandings.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using afterwards and afterwords are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind. In these cases, the usual guidelines may not apply or may need to be adjusted.
1. Contextual Usage
One exception to the rules for using afterwards and afterwords is when the context of the sentence requires a different usage. For example:
- Afterwards: After the concert, we went out to eat. Afterwards, we went back to our hotel.
- Afterwords: The author signed copies of his book after the lecture. Afterwords, he answered questions from the audience.
In these cases, the context of the sentence makes it clear which word is appropriate, even if it does not strictly follow the usual guidelines.
2. Regional Usage
Another exception to the rules for using afterwards and afterwords is when regional usage dictates a different usage. For example:
| Region | Usage |
|---|---|
| British English | Afterwards |
| American English | Afterward |
In these cases, it is important to be aware of the regional differences in usage to ensure that your writing is appropriate for your audience.
Practice Exercises
Now that you have a better understanding of the differences between afterwards and afterwords, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Here are a few exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Choose the correct word (afterwards or afterwords) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:
- She finished the book and __________ closed it.
- He gave a long speech, and __________ the audience gave him a standing ovation.
- We’ll have lunch, and __________ we’ll go for a walk.
- She apologized for her mistake, but __________ she realized it wasn’t her fault.
Answer Key:
- afterwards
- afterwards
- afterwards
- afterwords
Explanation: In sentence 1-3, the correct word is “afterwards” because it refers to something that happens after a previous event. In sentence 4, the correct word is “afterwords” because it refers to something that is said after a previous statement.
Exercise 2: Identify The Error
Identify the error in each sentence and correct it:
- Afterwords, we went to see a movie.
- I’ll see you afterwards I finish my work.
- She wrote a letter to her friend, and afterwards mailed it.
- He won the race, and afterwords he celebrated with his friends.
Answer Key:
- Error: “Afterwords” should be “Afterwards”.
- Error: Insert a comma after “afterwards”.
- No error.
- Error: “Afterwords” should be “Afterwards”.
Explanation: In sentence 1 and 4, the incorrect word is used. In sentence 2, a comma is needed after “afterwards” to separate two independent clauses. In sentence 3, there is no error.
Conclusion
After reading this article, it should be clear that the words “afterwards” and “afterwords” are not interchangeable. “Afterwards” refers to time, while “afterwords” refers to text.
It is important to pay attention to the nuances of language use and grammar in order to effectively communicate your ideas. By using the correct word in the appropriate context, you can avoid confusion and ensure that your message is clear.
Remember, language is constantly evolving and changing. It is important to continue learning and staying up-to-date on grammar rules and language use. By doing so, you can improve your communication skills and become a more effective writer.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.