Anyway vs Anyways has a simple answer: use “anyway” in almost every situation. “Anyways” is an informal variant that many people say, but dictionaries and editors treat “anyway” as the standard form. Both words mean the same thing, so the real difference is tone.
This guide explains what each word means, when each one fits, and how to sound professional without “anyways”. You will also see examples, common mistakes, regional differences and a quick memory trick to settle Anyway vs Anyways for good.
Quick Answer
“Anyway” is the standard form. “Anyways” is an informal variant, used mostly in speech and mostly in North America. In the Anyway vs Anyways choice, write “anyway” and save “anyways” for casual talk or texts.
- Standard: “I was tired, but I went anyway.”
- Informal: “Anyways, I should get going.”
What Does “Anyway” Mean?
“Anyway” is an adverb. It has several jobs, and all of them are standard English.
1. Meaning and Definition
“Anyway” means “in any case,” “despite that,” or “regardless.”
- “The forecast says rain, but we’re going anyway.”
- “I’m not sure he’ll reply. I’ll send the file anyway.”
Do not confuse it with “any way” (two words), which means “any method” or “any manner.” You will see that difference again in the mistakes section.
2. Used as a Transition Word
“Anyway” works as a discourse marker. That is a small word that helps a speaker change the subject or return to an earlier one.
- “Anyway, back to the budget.”
- “That’s enough about the weather. Anyway, how was your trip?”
3. Used to Emphasize a Point
After a problem or objection, “anyway” shows that something is still true or still happening.
- “It was cold. She swam anyway.”
- “The tickets were expensive, but they bought them anyway.”
It often sits at the end of the sentence, as in these examples.
4. Common in Professional Writing
The word “anyway” is neutral, so it fits emails, reports and essays.
- “The vendor changed the price. We will proceed anyway.”
One note: opening a sentence with “Anyway,” sounds conversational. In very formal papers, “in any case” or “regardless” may read better. The word is fine. It is the chatty sentence opener that you may want to replace.
What Does “Anyways” Mean?
“Anyways” has the same meaning as “anyway.” Dictionaries list it, but they label it informal, and some mark it as chiefly North American or dialectal.
1. Meaning and Definition
“Anyways” works as a transition or as “despite that,” just like “anyway.”
- “Anyways, let’s order lunch.”
The extra -s is not random. English has an old adverb pattern with that ending, seen in “always,” “sometimes,” “besides,” “nowadays” and “towards.” So “anyways” follows a real pattern. It just never became the standard written form.
2. Common in Spoken English
People use “anyways” most often to change the subject or wrap up a story.
- “Anyways, as I was saying, the train was late.”
- “Anyways, I’ll text you tomorrow.”
In speech, nobody notices the difference. In writing, the reader has more time to notice, and some readers react to it.
3. Informal Tone and Style
“Anyways” sounds relaxed, friendly and a little casual. That works in dialogue, chats and social posts. It can feel careless in a report, a cover letter or a school essay, even though it is not a spelling error.
4. Regional and Cultural Usage
“Anyways” is heard most in North American speech. It is less common in British English, where many speakers hear it as American or non-standard. Because attitudes differ by audience, ask who will read your text before you choose it.
Anyway vs Anyways: Which One Is Correct?
For writing, “anyway” is correct. For casual speech, “anyways” is acceptable. In the Anyway vs Anyways debate, neither is a typo, but only one is standard. “Anyways” is a register choice, which means a choice about how formal you sound.
So “anyways” is not always wrong. But “anyway” is never wrong. That is why it is the safer pick.
Is It “Do It Anyway” or “Do It Anyways”?
“Do it anyway” is the standard phrase. It means “do it despite the problem.”
- “I’m nervous, but I’ll do it anyway.”
“Do it anyways” is how some people say it in casual speech. You may hear it in conversation, but avoid it in writing.
A third form catches people out. “Do it any way you like” uses two words because “any way” means “any method.” Compare:
- “Do it anyway.” (despite the problem)
- “Do it any way you can.” (by whatever method)
Anyway vs Anyways: Key Differences Table
This table sums up the main Anyway vs Anyways differences at a glance.
| Feature | Anyway | Anyways |
| Meaning | In any case; despite that | Same meaning |
| Status | Standard | Informal variant |
| Tone | Neutral | Casual |
| Best for | Emails, essays, reports, speech | Texts, chats, informal dialogue |
| Region | Everywhere | Mostly North American speech |
| Safe in formal writing? | Yes | No |
Anyway vs anyways Examples
Standard use of “anyway”
- “The meeting was optional, but she came anyway.”
- “Anyway, let’s look at the numbers.”
Informal use of “anyways”
- “Anyways, that’s my weekend. What about you?”
- “I know it’s late, but I’m calling anyways.”
Wrong tone in a formal setting
Incorrect: “Dear Dr. Lee, anyways, I have attached my report.”
Correct: “Dear Dr. Lee, I have attached my report.”
Why: A formal email does not need a casual transition. If you want one, use “anyway” or “in any case.”
When to Use Anyway vs Anyways
The Anyway vs Anyways choice depends on your audience and your tone. Ask yourself two questions: Who is reading this? And how formal is the situation?
Use “Anyway” When:
- You are writing an email, essay, report or application.
- You are speaking to a manager, client or teacher.
- Your audience includes British English readers.
- You are not sure who will read the text.
Use “Anyways” When:
- You are texting friends.
- You are writing casual dialogue for a character.
- You want a deliberately relaxed, spoken feel.
Even then, “anyway” still works. You are never forced to use “anyways.”
Also, read this: Piqued vs Peaked
How to Professionally Say “Anyways”?
The simplest fix is to drop the s: “anyway.” If the sentence still feels too chatty, use one of these.
| Instead of | Try | Example |
| “Anyways, …” | “Anyway, …” | “Anyway, here is the updated schedule.” |
| “Anyways, …” | “In any case, …” | “In any case, we will finish by Friday.” |
| “Anyways, …” | “That said, …” | “That said, the results are encouraging.” |
| “Anyways, …” | “Moving on, …” | “Moving on, let’s review the budget.” |
| “Anyways, …” | “Returning to …” | “Returning to your question about costs, …” |
Or skip the transition. Often the next sentence works fine on its own.
Why “Anyway” Is Usually Preferred
“Anyway” is the form that standard dictionaries and most editors treat as the default. In Anyway vs Anyways, the first form never costs you anything, while the second sometimes does. A reader who sees “anyway” notices nothing. A reader who sees “anyways” in a formal document may judge the writer, fairly or not.
There is also a consistency benefit. If you always use “anyway” in writing, you never have to guess whether a particular reader will accept “anyways.”
Anyway vs anyways Reddit
Discussions of Anyway vs Anyways Reddit threads and similar forums tend to split into two camps. Some people say “anyways” irritates them. Others say they use it every day and see nothing wrong. I have not tied this to any specific thread, so treat it as a general pattern.
Personal annoyance is not a grammar rule. What helps is the difference between three things: what dictionaries record, what style guides recommend, and what individual readers like. “Anyways” is recorded as a word and labeled informal. That is why it is fine in a chat and risky in a résumé.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Most Anyway vs Anyways errors come from tone, not spelling.
Mistake 1: Using “Anyways” in Formal Writing
Incorrect: “Anyways, the study supports this conclusion.”
Correct: “Anyway, the study supports this conclusion.” (or “In any case, …”)
Why: Formal writing calls for the standard form.
Mistake 2: Assuming “Anyways” Is Wrong Everywhere
Incorrect: “Anyways is not a real word, so never say it.”
Correct: “Anyways is a real but informal word.”
Why: It appears in dictionaries and is common in speech. It is a register issue, not a spelling error.
Mistake 3: Mixing Tone Inconsistently
Incorrect: “Please find the contract attached. Anyways, let me know if you have questions.”
Correct: “Please find the contract attached. Please let me know if you have questions.”
Why: One casual word in a formal message makes the tone feel uneven.
Mistake 4: Mixing Up “Anyway” and “Any Way”
Incorrect: “Is there anyway to fix this?”
Correct: “Is there any way to fix this?”
Why: Here you mean “any method,” so you need two words.
Easy Memory Trick
Here is the simplest Anyway vs Anyways trick: no S, no stress. If you leave off the s, you are safe in every setting. Add the s only when you are chatting with friends and want a relaxed sound.
Practical Example Paragraph
Email to a manager (standard):
“Thanks for the feedback on the proposal. The client may change the deadline. We will keep working on the draft anyway, and I will send an update on Thursday.”
Text to a friend (informal):
“Ugh, the bus was so late. Anyways, I’m here now. Where are you sitting?”
Both are natural, because each word matches its situation.
American vs British English Differences
In the Anyway vs Anyways question, American and British English agree on writing: “anyway” is the standard. The difference is in speech. “Anyways” is heard fairly often in North American conversation. In the UK it is less common, and many people see it as American or non-standard.
If your readers are international, “anyway” avoids any problem.
Related Words and Synonyms
These words overlap with “anyway,” but they are not all interchangeable.
| Word or phrase | Formality | Note |
| in any case | Neutral | Works well in professional writing |
| at any rate | Neutral to formal | Slightly old-fashioned |
| regardless | Neutral to formal | Means “despite that” |
| nevertheless / nonetheless | Formal | Show contrast, but do not change the subject |
| anyhow | Informal | Similar tone to “anyways” |
| even so | Neutral | Shows contrast |
| moving on | Neutral to informal | Good for changing the subject |
Conclusion
The Anyway vs Anyways question has a clear answer. Use “anyway” in writing and in professional settings. “Anyways” is a real but informal word, so it fits relaxed speech and casual messages. Both words mean the same thing, and only the tone changes.
When you are unsure about Anyway vs Anyways, drop the s. That one habit keeps your emails, essays and reports clean. You can still use “anyways” with friends when the tone is relaxed.
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