Should you write anyway or anyways? In most situations, choose anyway.
Anyway is the standard, widely accepted form for everyday, professional, academic, and formal writing. Anyways also exists, but its common modern use is informal and may sound conversational or dialectal. Major dictionaries recognize anyways rather than treating it as an invented nonword.
The two forms often communicate the same basic idea. The important difference is usually register and audience expectation, not a separate modern meaning.
Quick Answer
Use “anyway” as your default choice.
It works naturally in almost every context:
I was tired, but I went anyway.
Anyway, let’s talk about tomorrow’s schedule.
Anyways can have the same basic meaning in casual American speech:
Anyways, what are you doing this weekend?
However, it has a distinctly informal character. Cambridge labels it an informal form of anyway, while Merriam-Webster labels its common modern sense “US, informal.”
For school assignments, business emails, reports, applications, and other edited writing, anyway is the safer choice.
Why People Confuse Them
The confusion is understandable because anyway and anyways often perform the same job.
Both may express the idea of doing something despite a previous fact or obstacle:
The restaurant was crowded, but we stayed anyway.
In casual speech, a speaker might say:
The restaurant was crowded, but we stayed anyways.
Both can also help shift or return to a topic:
Anyway, what happened after the meeting?
In very casual conversation, you may hear:
Anyways, what happened after the meeting?
So the main issue is not usually meaning. It is whether the more informal anyways fits the setting.
Key Differences At A Glance
| Context | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Formal writing | Anyway | Standard and neutral |
| Academic writing | Anyway | Fits edited prose |
| Professional email | Anyway | Safer for a polished tone |
| Everyday conversation | Anyway | Natural in both formal and casual situations |
| Very casual conversation | Anyway or anyways | Anyways can fit an intentionally informal voice |
| Fictional dialogue | Depends on character voice | Anyways may help represent casual speech |
| Meaning “despite that” | Anyway | Standard choice |
| Changing the subject | Anyway | Works naturally at the start of a new thought |
A simple comparison:
- Anyway: standard, neutral, versatile, suitable almost everywhere.
- Anyways: informal in its common modern use; best reserved for casual speech or deliberately conversational writing.
Meaning and Usage Difference
Anyway is an adverb. It commonly means “in any case,” “despite that,” or something close to “regardless.” It can also introduce an additional thought or help manage the flow of conversation.
For example:
Maya knew the drive would be long, but she went anyway.
Here, anyway means that Maya went despite the problem already mentioned.
It can also introduce a transition:
Anyway, let’s get back to the budget.
Anyways can carry the same basic meaning in informal American usage. Merriam-Webster defines its common modern sense through anyhow and anyway, while Cambridge calls it an informal form of anyway.
Therefore, this is not a strong meaning contrast:
I bought it anyway.
I bought it anyways.
The second sentence sounds more casual. For neutral edited English, the first is preferable.
Tone, Context, and Formality
This is where the biggest practical difference appears.
Anyway has a neutral tone. You can use it naturally in conversation, emails, essays, reports, presentations, and many other settings.
The first option costs less, but we should compare both anyway.
Nothing about anyway makes the sentence stiff or unusually formal.
Anyways signals a more casual voice:
Anyways, I have to get going.
That sentence may sound completely natural in relaxed conversation for some speakers. In a formal report, cover letter, or academic paper, however, the same form can seem out of place because readers generally expect the standard-neutral anyway. The informal labeling is supported by major dictionary guidance.
Calling anyways simply “wrong” misses an important point. It is recorded in major dictionaries and has a long history. The better question is whether its informal character suits the context.
Which One Should You Use?
Choose anyway whenever you are unsure.
It is the most flexible option because it works in both casual and more formal settings.
Use it for:
- school assignments
- workplace communication
- professional applications
- articles and reports
- presentations
- everyday conversation
You might choose anyways when you deliberately want a relaxed conversational voice:
Anyways, are we still meeting at seven?
It can also appear naturally in dialogue when a writer wants to reflect how a character speaks.
The key is intention. Do not add the -s because you think it is required. It is not.
When One Choice Sounds Wrong
Anyways can sound unsuitable when the surrounding language is formal or carefully edited.
Less suitable:
Anyways, the findings demonstrate a significant change.
Better:
Anyway, the findings demonstrate a significant change.
Likewise:
Anyways, thank you for considering my application.
For a professional application, this is more natural:
Anyway, thank you for considering my application.
In many cases, the transition word may be unnecessary altogether, depending on the sentence.
The reverse problem is uncommon. Anyway does not become incorrect merely because the conversation is casual.
Natural:
Anyway, I’ll text you when I get home.
You never need anyways just to make a sentence sound conversational.
Common Mistakes (and Quick Fixes)
Mistake: “Anyways is not a word.”
Quick fix: Major dictionaries do record anyways. The important issue is that its common modern use is informal or dialectal rather than the safest choice for neutral edited prose.
Mistake: Giving the two forms completely different meanings.
Quick fix: In common modern use, anyways often functions as an informal counterpart to anyway.
Mistake: Using “anyways” in every setting because you hear it in conversation.
Quick fix:
Anyways, I appreciate your consideration.
For professional writing:
Anyway, I appreciate your consideration.
Or remove the transition when it adds nothing.
Mistake: Thinking “anyway” sounds too formal for speech.
Quick fix: Anyway is perfectly natural in everyday conversation.
Anyway, where should we eat?
Everyday Examples
Here are natural examples showing how the choice changes with context.
Casual conversation
I wasn’t hungry, but I ordered fries anyway.
Anyways, what are you doing after work?
Both can occur conversationally, but the second has a more informal flavor.
At work
We may need approval, but I’ll prepare the draft anyway.
The standard form fits naturally.
At school
The assignment looked difficult, but Jordan finished it anyway.
Again, anyway is the straightforward choice.
Changing the subject
Anyway, did you hear back from the apartment manager?
In highly casual speech:
Anyways, did you hear back from the apartment manager?
The meaning is essentially unchanged; the tone differs.
Ending a discussion
Anyway, I should probably head home.
This sounds natural without being either stiff or overly casual.
Dictionary-Style Word Details
Verb
Anyway: Not commonly used as a verb in standard US English. Its relevant role in this comparison is adverbial.
Anyways: Not commonly used as a verb in standard US English. Its common modern use is also adverbial.
Noun
Anyway: Not normally used as a noun in the usage compared here.
Anyways: Not normally used as a noun in the usage compared here.
Both terms function primarily as adverbs for the purposes of this comparison.
Synonyms
For the common “despite that” or “in any case” sense:
Anyway — closest plain alternatives:
- regardless
- anyhow
- in any case
- nevertheless, depending on sentence structure
Anyways — closest plain alternatives:
- anyway
- anyhow
- regardless, depending on context
There is no single antonym that works across every use because these words can perform several discourse functions. Merriam-Webster’s thesaurus treats anyway and anyways as closely related in the relevant sense.
Example Sentences
Anyway:
The forecast called for rain, but we went hiking anyway.
Anyway, we can discuss the details tomorrow.
I probably won’t need the charger, but I’ll bring it anyway.
Anyways:
Anyways, I’m glad everything worked out.
I didn’t really want dessert, but I ate some anyways.
These anyways examples intentionally reflect informal speech. In neutral edited writing, anyway would be the safer form.
Word History
Anyway: The word has been established in English for centuries. Merriam-Webster records historical use going back to Middle English-era English and lists it today as a standard adverb.
Anyways: It is not merely a recent mistake created by adding an unnecessary -s. Merriam-Webster documents older uses of anyways going back centuries, although its common modern American sense is labeled informal.
That history does not mean the two forms have identical stylistic status today. Anyway remains the safer standard choice.
Phrases Containing
Anyway:
- and anyway
- but anyway
- anyway, let’s…
- anyway, back to…
Examples:
And anyway, we already have enough chairs.
But anyway, let’s finish the plan.
Anyways:
Common informal conversational patterns include:
- anyways, let’s…
- but anyways…
- anyways, back to…
Example:
Anyways, back to what I was saying.
These patterns are especially associated with conversational transitions rather than formal edited prose.
FAQs
Is “anyways” a real word?
Yes. “Anyways” is a real word that appears in major dictionaries, but it is generally labeled informal in modern American English. It is common in casual speech and conversation. For formal, academic, professional, or carefully edited writing, “anyway” is usually the better choice.
Which is correct: “anyway” or “anyways”?
Both forms exist, but “anyway” is the standard and safest choice in nearly every situation. “Anyways” is mainly used in informal speech or deliberately casual writing. When you are unsure which form to use, choose “anyway.”
Is “anyways” grammatically incorrect?
Not necessarily. Calling “anyways” completely incorrect is too simple because it has a long history and is recognized in dictionaries. However, it is considered informal in common modern usage, so it may sound inappropriate in professional emails, essays, reports, or other formal contexts.
Can I use “anyways” in a sentence?
Yes, especially in casual conversation. For example: “Anyways, what are you doing this weekend?” The sentence sounds relaxed and conversational. In more formal writing, use “anyway” instead: “Anyway, let’s return to the main point.”
Do “anyway” and “anyways” mean the same thing?
In common modern use, they usually express the same basic idea. They can mean “in any case,” “despite that,” or act as a transition in conversation. The main difference is tone and formality rather than meaning.
Should I use “anyway” in professional writing?
Yes. “Anyway” is the preferred form for business emails, school assignments, reports, applications, and professional communication. It sounds neutral and standard. “Anyways” may make formal writing sound too casual.
Why do people say “anyways”?
Many speakers use “anyways” naturally in everyday conversation because it feels casual and familiar. It can also reflect regional or personal speech habits. Its use does not create a major meaning difference, but it does make the tone more informal.
Conclusion
When choosing between anyway or anyways, anyway is the best default.
Both can communicate the same basic idea in casual American English, and anyways is a documented word rather than something that simply does not exist. However, its common modern use carries an informal or dialectal quality, while anyway is standard, neutral, and appropriate across a much wider range of situations.
Remember the practical rule:
Use “anyway” anywhere. Use “anyways” only when you intentionally want a very casual voice.
