If you are unsure whether to write anyway or anyways, you are not alone. Both forms appear frequently in everyday English, especially in conversations, social media posts, and informal messages.
The confusion becomes greater because some grammar guides call anyways incorrect, while major dictionaries recognize it as an informal form.
So, which one should you use?
Anyway is the standard and safest choice in English. Anyways is a recognized informal variant, particularly associated with North American English.
If you are writing an academic paper, business email, application, or other formal text, anyway is the better choice.
There is also a third form to watch for: any way. Unlike anyway and anyways, it has a different grammatical structure and meaning.
Anyway or Anyways: Quick Answer
Anyway is the standard form and works in both formal and informal English. It can mean “regardless,” “in any case,” or introduce a change or return to a topic.
Anyways is an informal variant of anyway. It is used in casual speech and writing, especially in North American English.
For example:
- I was tired, but I went anyway.
- Anyway, let’s get back to the main point.
- Anyways, what were you saying? — informal
If you are unsure which form to choose, use anyway. It is the more widely accepted choice for standard written English.
What Does “Anyway” Mean?
Anyway is an adverb with several related uses. Its meaning depends on how it is used in a sentence.
1. Anyway Means “Regardless”
We often use anyway when something happens despite a previous fact, condition, or problem.
It was raining, but we went for a walk anyway.
The rain did not change the decision.
Another example:
She knew the test would be difficult, but she took it anyway.
Here, anyway means something like “despite that” or “regardless.”
2. Anyway Means “In Any Case”
Anyway can also show that something remains true regardless of other circumstances.
We don’t need to leave yet. The meeting doesn’t start until 3 p.m. anyway.
The word adds the idea that the previous information does not change the situation.
3. Anyway Can Change or Return to a Topic
In conversation, anyway often works as a discourse marker. It helps a speaker move to another subject, return to an earlier point, or bring attention back to the main discussion.
Anyway, what happened after the meeting?
Or:
We were talking about your new job. Anyway, how is it going?
This use is extremely common in everyday spoken English.
4. Anyway Can Help End a Conversation
You may also hear anyway when someone is ready to move on or finish a conversation.
Anyway, I should get going. I’ll call you tomorrow.
In this situation, it helps signal that the speaker is wrapping things up.
What Does “Anyways” Mean?
Anyways generally has the same meaning as anyway when it is used as the modern informal variant.
For example:
Anyways, let’s start the meeting.
The meaning is essentially the same as:
Anyway, let’s start the meeting.
The important difference is register, not usually meaning.
Anyways is labeled informal by major dictionaries, and it is especially associated with North American English. That means it can be perfectly understandable and natural in casual communication without being the preferred form for formal writing.
You may hear it in:
- everyday conversations
- text messages
- online discussions
- casual social media posts
- informal dialogue
- fictional characters’ speech
For professional or academic writing, however, anyway is the safer choice.
Is “Anyways” a Real Word?
Yes. Anyways is a real English word, but that does not mean it is interchangeable with anyway in every situation.
Major English dictionaries recognize anyways and identify it as an informal form of anyway. Its use is therefore better described as informal or colloquial, rather than simply calling it a spelling mistake.
This distinction matters.
There is a difference between:
“This word does not exist.”
and
“This word exists but is not the best choice in formal standard writing.”
Anyways belongs to the second category.
So, if you see someone write:
Anyways, I’ll call you later.
There is no need to assume they have accidentally added an “s” to anyway. They may simply be using an informal variety of English.
Anyway vs. Anyways: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Anyway | Anyways |
|---|---|---|
| Word class | Adverb | Adverb |
| Standard choice | Yes | No, less standard |
| Formal writing | Preferred | Usually avoided |
| Casual conversation | Common | Common in some varieties |
| North American English | Common | Particularly associated with informal usage |
| Meaning | Regardless, in any case, etc. | Usually the same |
| Safest choice | Yes | No |
The easiest rule is:
Use anyway when you want the standard form. Use anyways only when an informal tone is appropriate.
Anyway vs. Anyways in British and American English
Anyway is established in both British and American English.
Anyways is particularly associated with informal North American English. That does not mean every American speaker uses it, nor does it mean the form is completely impossible outside North America.
Language varies by speaker, region, generation, and context.
For an English learner, the practical rule is much simpler:
Choose anyway unless you deliberately want a casual or conversational style.
That choice will work naturally in British English, American English, academic writing, professional communication, and everyday conversation.
Anyway vs. Any Way: Why the Space Matters
This is a separate issue from anyway vs. anyways.
Anyway — One Word
Use anyway when you mean “regardless,” “in any case,” or when you are moving between topics.
I didn’t enjoy the movie, but I watched it anyway.
Here, anyway is one word because it means “despite that.”
Another example:
Anyway, let’s discuss the next question.
Any Way — Two Words
Use any way when any modifies the noun way. It usually means any method, manner, or means.
Is there any way to fix this computer?
Here, the speaker is asking whether there is any method of fixing the computer.
Another example:
I’ll help in any way I can.
The meaning is “by any method or means that I can.”
An Easy Way to Remember
Ask yourself:
Does the sentence mean “regardless” or “in any case”?
Use anyway.
Does it mean “any method” or “any manner”?
Use any way.
Compare:
I didn’t want to go, but I went anyway.
Is there any way to get there faster?
The meanings are completely different.
When Should You Use “Anyway”?
Because anyway is the standard form, it works in almost every English context.
Academic Writing
Use anyway when the meaning fits.
The evidence was limited, but the researchers continued the investigation anyway.
In academic writing, avoid anyways because the informal form can make the tone less appropriate.
Business Emails
In professional communication, anyway is usually the better choice.
Anyway, I’ll send the revised document by Friday.
However, depending on the sentence, a more precise transition such as therefore, however, or in any case may be better in very formal writing.
Everyday Conversation
Anyway is completely natural in speech.
Anyway, what are you doing this weekend?
You do not need to replace it with a more formal expression simply because it appears in conversation.
Social Media and Texting
Both forms can appear in casual digital communication.
Anyways, I’m heading home now.
This sounds conversational. If you want a neutral standard style, write:
Anyway, I’m heading home now.
Fiction and Dialogue
Anyways can sometimes be useful when writing realistic dialogue.
If a character is supposed to sound casual, regional, or conversational, using anyways may help create that voice.
“Anyways, I don’t think we’re going there tonight.”
In this context, the informal form may be intentional rather than an error.
When Can You Use “Anyways”?
Use anyways mainly when the tone is deliberately informal.
It can fit naturally in:
- casual conversations
- personal messages
- informal online posts
- relaxed social media writing
- realistic dialogue
- conversational storytelling
For example:
Anyways, I’ll see you tomorrow.
The sentence sounds casual.
But change the context to a university essay:
Anyways, the results demonstrate that the hypothesis was incorrect.
That sounds unnecessarily informal. Anyway would be the better choice:
Anyway, the results demonstrate that the hypothesis was incorrect.
Even then, in highly formal academic writing, another transition may be more precise depending on the intended relationship between ideas.
Anyway or Anyways in a Sentence
Here are examples that show the difference in real situations:
Standard Usage
I was feeling sick, but I went to work anyway.
Anyway, let’s move on to the next question.
She didn’t agree with the decision, but she accepted it anyway.
We should leave now anyway.
Informal “Anyways”
Anyways, what did you decide?
I don’t really like that restaurant anyways.
Anyways, I’ll text you when I get home.
These examples are understandable and natural in informal contexts, but anyway remains the safer standard form.
Common Mistakes With Anyway and Anyways
Mistake 1: Saying “Anyways” Is Always Wrong
This is too absolute.
Anyways is recognized as an informal variant by major dictionaries. The better advice is to avoid it when you need standard, formal written English.
Mistake 2: Adding an “S” Automatically
Some learners assume that because words such as always end in “-s,” anyway should become anyways.
English does not work that way.
The standard form is anyway.
Mistake 3: Confusing “Any Way” With “Anyway”
Is there anyway to solve this?
If you mean “Is there any method to solve this?”, write:
Is there any way to solve this?
But:
I couldn’t solve it, but I tried anyway.
Mistake 4: Using “Anyways” in Formal Documents
A casual word can make an otherwise professional sentence sound less polished.
For a:
- cover letter
- academic paper
- formal report
- professional application
- business document
anyway is the safer option.
Mistake 5: Assuming “Anyway” Is Only Formal
It isn’t.
Anyway, what are we having for dinner?
This is completely natural everyday English.
The important distinction is not “formal versus informal” for anyway. It is that anyway is standard and versatile, while anyways is more informal and context-dependent.
Does “Anyway” Need a Comma?
It depends on how anyway is used.
When it introduces a transition at the beginning of a sentence, a comma is normally used:
Anyway, let’s continue.
When it appears at the end of a sentence, a comma is usually unnecessary:
I decided to go anyway.
It can also appear inside a sentence:
It was, anyway, a useful experience.
The punctuation depends on the role and position of the word, not simply on the fact that it is anyway.
Why Do People Say “Anyways”?
Language is not always as simple as “correct” versus “incorrect.”
People use anyways because informal spoken English naturally develops variations. Regional speech, conversational habits, social groups, and personal style can all influence vocabulary and pronunciation.
The form is especially associated with informal North American usage.
That is why you may hear:
Anyways, what were you saying?
in ordinary conversation without the speaker intending to make a grammatical mistake.
In edited formal writing, however, anyway remains the more appropriate default.
Anyway and Anyways: Which One Should You Use?
Use this simple guide:
| Situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| Academic essay | Anyway |
| Research paper | Anyway |
| Business email | Anyway |
| Cover letter | Anyway |
| Professional report | Anyway |
| Blog article | Anyway |
| Everyday conversation | Anyway |
| Text message | Anyway or informal anyways |
| Social media | Either, depending on tone |
| Casual dialogue | Either |
| Fictional character speech | Anyways can be intentional |
If you are an English learner and only want to remember one form, remember anyway.
It is standard, widely understood, and appropriate across a much wider range of situations.
Quick Comparison: Anyway, Anyways, and Any Way
| Form | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| anyway | regardless / in any case | I was tired, but I went anyway. |
| anyways | informal variant of anyway | Anyways, let’s go. |
| any way | any method or manner | Is there any way to help? |
This three-way distinction solves most confusion around the word.
FAQs
1:Is “anyway” or “anyways” correct?
Anyway is the standard form. Anyways is a recognized informal variant, particularly associated with North American English.
2:Is “anyways” a real word?
Yes. Major English dictionaries recognize anyways, but label it as informal. It is therefore better described as an informal variant rather than simply a spelling error.
3:Is “anyways” grammatically correct?
It can be used in informal English, but it is not the preferred choice for formal standard writing. When in doubt, use anyway.
4:Can I use “anyways” in an essay?
It is better to use anyway in an academic essay. In very formal writing, you may also find a more precise transition such as however, therefore, or in any case, depending on the meaning.
5:Is “anyways” American English?
Anyways is particularly associated with informal North American English. Anyway is standard in both American and British English.
6:What is the difference between “anyway” and “any way”?
Anyway is an adverb meaning “regardless” or “in any case.” Any way means “any method” or “any manner.”
Compare:
I’ll do it anyway.
I’ll help in any way I can.
7:Does “anyway” need a comma?
When anyway introduces a sentence as a transition, it is normally followed by a comma:
Anyway, let’s begin.
When it appears at the end of a sentence, it generally does not need a comma:
I’ll go anyway.
8:What is another word for “anyway”?
Depending on the context, alternatives include in any case, regardless, nevertheless, nonetheless, and anyhow. The best substitute depends on the meaning and tone of the sentence.
Conclusion
So, anyway or anyways?
For standard English, anyway is the best choice. It works naturally in formal writing, professional communication, academic work, everyday conversation, and most other contexts.
Anyways is not simply a random spelling mistake. It is a recognized informal variant, especially associated with North American English.
It can sound perfectly natural in casual speech, texting, social media, or fictional dialogue, but it is generally not the form you should choose for formal writing.
Also remember any way, which is different from both forms. Use it when you mean “any method” or “any manner.”
The easiest rule is simple: when you’re unsure, choose anyway.
