anyway/anyways

Do you say anyway or anyways? What’s the difference between them? Both anyway and anyways are considered colloquial (for use in casual or conversational English), and are used in a similar manner as standard words like regardless or nonetheless:

The event was canceled anyway, so it didn’t matter that we were running late.

Anyway (without the “s”) is my preferred word of choice. It seems to be more commonly used than anyways and, therefore, less likely to be regarded as incorrect English.

Posted in Word Choice.

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4 Comments:

  1. Bob says:

    Many decades ago I as challenged on my improper use of the word ‘anyways’. I was challenged in my use of this word form by the grandother of a friend who had taught proper English. She explained that the word ‘anyway’ already indicates ‘in any possible way’. To further pluralize the word by adding an ‘s’ does nothing to clarify the intent of the word. To use ‘anyways’ in lieu of ‘anyway’ is considered substandard and an improper use of the root words.

  2. MEG says:

    Until we emigrated from England to North America, we had never heard “anyways”. I suppose there might be rural parts of England where it is used; it is certainly common enough in rural parts of North America.

  3. Reynald Bontilao says:

    I agree with you that “anyway” is the better word than “anyways.”

  4. Patricia says:

    Excellent…everyone should read your posts!