Anyway vs. Anyways: Key Differences between the Two

Are you unsure about when to use “anyway” or “anyways” in your writing? You’re not alone. Many people struggle with the proper usage of these two words. While they may seem interchangeable, there are some key differences between the two.

The Main Difference Between Anyway and Anyways

Anyway vs. Anyways: Key Takeaways

The correct and more formal word is “anyway,” although “anyways” is also used informally in some dialects.

• Anyway: This is the standard form used in formal and written English. It means “in any case,” “nonetheless,” or “regardless.”
• Anyways: This is considered informal or colloquial and is mostly used in spoken English. While it’s commonly heard in conversation, it is less accepted in formal writing.

For formal writing or more standard usage, stick with “anyway.”

Anyway vs. Anyways: The Definition

What Does ‘Anyway’ Mean?

“Anyway” is an adverb that means “regardless” or “nonetheless.” It is used to indicate that something is happening or being done despite other circumstances or objections.

For examples:

• I don’t really like pizza, but I’ll eat it anyway because it’s the only option.
• Anyway, let’s not dwell on the past and focus on the future instead.

What Does ‘Anyways’ Mean?

“Anyways” is a colloquial variation of the word “anyway.” It is a nonstandard and informal version of the word that is commonly used in spoken English. “Anyways” is often used to mean the same thing as “anyway,” but it is not considered grammatically correct in formal writing.

For examples:

• Anyways, I don’t think we should go to the beach today because of the weather.
• I told her not to worry, but she went ahead and did it anyways.

Tips to Remember the Differences

To help you remember the differences between “anyway” and “anyways,” here are some tips:

• Use “anyway” in formal writing and in situations where you want to be grammatically correct.
• Use “anyways” in informal speech and in situations where you want to convey a more casual tone.
• Remember that “anyways” is a colloquial variation of “anyway” and is not considered grammatically correct in formal writing.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can confidently use “anyway” and “anyways” in the appropriate contexts.

Anyway vs. Anyways: Examples

Example Sentences Using Anyway

• You should go to the gym anyway, even if you don’t feel like it.
• Anyway, let’s get back to the topic at hand.
• I don’t really care what you do anyway.
• Anyway, I don’t think we should dwell on the past when there’s so much to look forward to in the future.
• She didn’t want to go to the party, but she went anyway to support her friend.
• I know it’s a risky venture, but we should proceed with the plan anyway.
• Anyway, let’s not argue about it and focus on finding a solution.
• He didn’t have all the necessary qualifications, but he applied for the job anyway.

As you can see, “anyway” is used to mean “in any case” or “regardless.” It is often used to change the subject or return to a previous topic.

Example Sentences Using Anyways

• Anyways, I think we should go to the movie theater instead.
• I’m not sure what you’re talking about, but anyways, let’s move on.
• Anyways, it was nice meeting you.
• Anyways, regardless of the outcome, we must proceed with caution.
• She didn’t seem interested in the discussion, but anyways, we continued our debate.
• Anyways, the decision had already been made, and there was no turning back.
• Despite the challenges, we decided to move forward anyways.
• Anyways, let’s not dwell on the past and focus on the future instead.

“Anyways” is a colloquial variant of “anyway.” It is often used in informal situations and has a more casual tone. However, it can be considered incorrect in formal writing.

Related Confused Words

When it comes to confusing words, “anyway” and “anyways” are not the only ones that can trip you up. Here are a few other related words that you might want to watch out for:

Anytime vs. Anyway

“Anytime” is another word that is often confused with “anyway.” While “anyway” is an adverb that means “regardless” or “in any case,” “anytime” is an adverb that means “at any time” or “whenever.” The two words are not interchangeable. For examples:

• I’m available to meet with you anytime next week.
• I know you’re tired, but we need to finish this task anyway.

Anyplace vs Anyways

“Anyplace” is a word that is often confused with “anyways.” While “anyways” is an adverb that means “regardless” or “in any case,” “anyplace” is an adverb that means “in any location” or “wherever.” Again, the two words are not interchangeable.

• I’m willing to go anyplace for our vacation as long as it’s near the beach.
• Anyway, I don’t think it’s worth arguing about the decision now.