Anyway or anyways which one should you use? If you’ve ever paused while writing a sentence because you weren’t sure whether to add the -s at the end, you’re not alone.
The good news is that anyway is the standard form and is the safest choice for formal writing. Anyways is also an established English word, but it is generally informal and is especially associated with conversational usage.
Cambridge Dictionary lists anyways as an informal form of anyway.
So, are both correct? Yes but they don’t have exactly the same style or level of formality.
In this guide, you’ll learn the difference between anyway and anyways, when to use each one, common mistakes, sentence examples, and a simple trick to remember the correct choice.
Anyway or Anyways: Which One Is Correct?
The short answer is simple: anyway is the standard choice, especially in formal writing, while anyways is an informal variant commonly found in speech and casual writing.
Is Anyway the Standard Form?
Yes. Anyway is an adverb with several common uses. It can mean something like regardless, in any case, or despite that. It can also help a speaker return to an earlier topic or move a conversation forward.
For example:
- I was tired, but I went anyway.
- Anyway, let’s get back to the main topic.
- It was expensive, but I bought it anyway.
- I don’t need a taxi; I’m walking that way anyway.
Because anyway works naturally in both everyday and formal contexts, it is usually the better default.
Is Anyways a Correct Word?
Anyways is a real English word, but it is informal.
Cambridge Dictionary defines anyways as an informal form of anyway.
For example:
Anyways, what were you saying?
This can sound perfectly natural in casual conversation. However, in a formal essay, business report, academic paper, or professional email, anyway is generally the safer choice.
Collins gives an even stronger distinction, describing anyways as a nonstandard or dialectal form in some varieties of English.
Anyway vs Anyways: Key Differences
Although the two forms are closely related, their style and context are the main differences.
Meaning of Anyway
Anyway can be used in several ways.
It can show that something happened despite a previous fact:
It was raining, but we went outside anyway.
It can introduce a new point or return to a previous subject:
Anyway, let’s continue with the lesson.
It can also add emphasis to a reason:
I don’t want to go, and anyway, it’s too late.
Cambridge’s grammar guidance identifies these different uses, including contrast, conversation management, and the meaning “at least.”
Meaning of Anyways
Anyways generally carries the same basic conversational idea as anyway, but its informal character is more noticeable.
For example:
Anyways, I’ll call you tomorrow.
This sounds casual and conversational. You might hear it frequently in everyday speech or see it in dialogue, social media posts, and informal messages.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Anyway | Anyways |
|---|---|---|
| Part of speech | Adverb | Adverb |
| Standard form | Yes | Informal variant |
| Formal writing | Suitable | Usually avoid |
| Casual conversation | Suitable | Common |
| Meaning | Regardless, in any case, etc. | Generally the same |
| Professional writing | Recommended | Usually not preferred |
The important point is that anyways isn’t simply a spelling mistake. It has dictionary recognition, but its informal status makes anyway the more versatile choice.
When Should You Use Anyway?
If you’re unsure which version to choose, anyway is usually the safest answer.
Use Anyway in Formal Writing
Choose anyway for:
- Academic assignments
- Business emails
- Reports
- Articles
- Professional documents
- Formal correspondence
For example:
The original plan was delayed; however, the team completed the project anyway.
Or:
Anyway, the available evidence supports the original conclusion.
Use Anyway in Everyday English
You can also use anyway in casual speech.
Anyway, what are you doing tonight?
I wasn’t hungry, but I ate anyway.
Anyway, let’s talk about something else.
This is one reason anyway is so useful: it doesn’t sound excessively formal in ordinary conversation.
Anyway as a Conversation Marker
At the beginning of a sentence, anyway can signal that you’re changing direction, returning to a previous subject, or moving toward the main point.
For example:
Anyway, where were we?
Anyway, I wanted to ask you something.
Anyway, let’s finish the project.
When anyway is used this way in writing, a comma commonly follows it. Cambridge specifically describes this use as a discourse marker.
When Is Anyways Appropriate?
Anyways is most useful when you deliberately want a casual or conversational tone.
Anyways in Casual Conversation
You might hear:
Anyways, what should we do now?
I didn’t really like the movie anyways.
Anyways, I’ll see you tomorrow.
These sentences can sound natural in relaxed conversation.
Anyways in Informal Online Writing
You may also encounter anyways in:
- Text messages
- Social media
- Casual blogs
- Online comments
- Fictional dialogue
- Informal chats
However, seeing anyways frequently online doesn’t mean it is the best option for every type of writing.
If you’re writing something that needs to sound polished, simply choose anyway.
Why Does Anyways Sound Different?
The extra -s gives the word a more conversational feel for many speakers. Dictionary.com describes anyways as an informal form of anyway and notes its frequent use in colloquial speech and informal dialogue.
So the difference is primarily about usage and register, not about whether one form can ever exist in English.
Common Examples of Anyway and Anyways
Seeing both forms in context makes the difference easier to understand.
Examples with Anyway
Here are some natural examples:
- I was tired, but I finished the assignment anyway.
- Anyway, let’s move on to the next question.
- She didn’t want to go, but she went anyway.
- It wasn’t perfect, but I enjoyed it anyway.
- Anyway, I’ll send you the details later.
- We were going to leave early anyway.
- I don’t need anything else anyway.
Examples with Anyways
In informal contexts, you may see:
- Anyways, what are we doing tonight?
- I didn’t want to go anyways.
- Anyways, let’s talk about something else.
- She was going to call you anyways.
- Anyways, I’ll see you later.
Notice that the examples with anyways have a distinctly conversational feel.
Case Study: Choosing the Right Form in Real Writing
Imagine that a student is writing an English assignment about time management.
The student writes:
Anyways, I learned that planning my day can save a lot of time.
The sentence is understandable, and the meaning is clear. However, because this is an academic assignment, the student wants the language to sound polished and conventional.
A better version would be:
Anyway, I learned that planning my day can save a lot of time.
Now imagine the same student is writing a casual message to a friend:
Anyways, I learned that planning my day actually helps a lot.
Here, the informal tone makes anyways much more natural.
The important lesson is that the choice isn’t always about “right versus wrong.” Context matters. Anyway works comfortably in both situations, while anyways is better suited to informal communication.
This distinction is useful for students, bloggers, and professionals because a word can be understandable without necessarily being the best stylistic choice for a particular audience.
Current dictionary entries support this distinction: Cambridge treats anyways as informal, while anyway is presented as the standard adverb with several established uses.
What Does Current Usage Data Tell Us?
There isn’t a single authoritative 2025–2026 global statistic that measures everyday usage of anyway versus anyways. However, available corpus and frequency evidence provides useful context.
Frequency Evidence
A September 2026 frequency analysis based on Wiktionary/FrequencyWords data ranks:
- anyway: #1,293
- anyways: #6,650
These rankings are not percentages and should not be interpreted as a direct measure of how often speakers use each word in every English variety. They do, however, show that anyway has a substantially stronger frequency position in that particular English word list.
Academic corpus research also shows that usage varies across English varieties.
One study of International Corpus of English data reported frequencies for anyway, including anyways, ranging from 465 occurrences per million words in the SBCSAE material to 1,389 per million words in ICE-Ireland.
This matters because English isn’t used identically everywhere. Regional speech patterns can affect which form sounds more natural.
Practical takeaway: frequency varies by corpus and region, but anyway remains the safest general-purpose choice, particularly when you need standard, polished English.
Anyway vs Anyways: A Simple Decision Guide
Still unsure which one to use? Follow this quick checklist.
Choose Anyway If…
Use anyway when:
- You’re writing formally.
- You’re writing an academic assignment.
- You’re sending a professional email.
- You’re writing an article or report.
- You want the safest standard form.
- You’re unsure which version your audience expects.
Choose Anyways If…
Use anyways when:
- You’re writing casual dialogue.
- You’re texting a friend.
- You’re intentionally using conversational language.
- You’re reproducing someone’s informal speech.
- The relaxed tone is part of the writing style.
The Easy Rule to Remember
Formal or general writing → anyway.
Casual conversation → anyways can work.
If you’re ever uncertain, simply choose anyway.
Anyway vs Any Way: Don’t Confuse Them
There’s another important distinction: any way is different from both anyway and anyways.
Anyway
Anyway is an adverb meaning something like regardless or in any case.
I was tired, but I went anyway.
Any Way
Any way is two words and usually refers to a method, manner, or possible way of doing something.
You can solve the problem in any way you like.
A useful test is to see whether the sentence is talking about a method or manner. If it is, any way may be the correct choice.
Compare the Three
| Form | Typical meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| anyway | regardless; in any case | I went anyway. |
| anyways | informal form of anyway | Anyways, let’s go. |
| any way | any method or manner | Do it any way you like. |
This three-way distinction prevents a surprisingly common English usage mistake.
Mini Quiz: Anyway or Anyways
1. Which form is the standard choice for formal writing?
A) Anyways
B) Anyway
C) Anywase
D) Any way
Answer: B) Anyway
2. Which sentence uses “anyway” correctly?
A) I was tired, but I went anyway.
B) I was tired, but I went any way.
C) I was tired, but I went anyways formal.
D) I was tired, but I went anywey.
Answer: A) I was tired, but I went anyway.
3. Is “anyways” a real English word?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only in dictionaries from the past
D) Only as a spelling mistake
Answer: A) Yes
4. What is the usual style of “anyways”?
A) Academic
B) Formal
C) Informal
D) Technical
Answer: C) Informal
5. Choose the best word for a professional email.
“_____, I will send the report tomorrow.”
A) Anyways
B) Anyway
C) Any way
D) Anywaze
Answer: B) Anyway
6. Which sentence sounds most natural in casual conversation?
A) Anyways, what are you doing?
B) Anywase, what are you doing?
C) Any way, what are you doing?
D) Anywayz, what are you doing?
Answer: A) Anyways, what are you doing?
7. What does “anyway” often mean?
A) Regardless or in any case
B) Yesterday
C) Quickly
D) Carefully
Answer: A) Regardless or in any case
8. Which sentence correctly uses “anyway” to show something happened despite another fact?
A) It was raining, but we went anyway.
B) It was raining, but we went any way.
C) It was raining, but we went anywase.
D) It was raining, but we went anywaze.
Answer: A) It was raining, but we went anyway.
9. Which form is the safest choice when you are unsure?
A) Anyways
B) Any way
C) Anyway
D) Anywhey
Answer: C) Anyway
10. What is the difference between “anyway” and “any way”?
A) They always mean exactly the same thing.
B) “Anyway” is one word, while “any way” can refer to a method or manner.
C) “Any way” is always incorrect.
D) “Anyway” is only used in questions.
Answer: B) “Anyway” is one word, while “any way” can refer to a method or manner.
11. Pick the correct sentence.
“Anyway, let’s continue the lesson.”
A) Correct
B) Incorrect
Answer: A) Correct
12. Which sentence is better for an academic essay?
A) Anyways, the results were important.
B) Anyway, the results were important.
C) Any way, the results were important.
D) Anywaze, the results were important.
Answer: B) Anyway, the results were important.
13. Complete the sentence:
“I don’t need a ride. I’m walking there _____.”
A) anyways
B) anyway
C) any way
D) anywhey
Answer: B) anyway
14. Which word can help move a conversation back to the main topic?
A) Anyway
B) Anywase
C) Any way
D) Anywhey
Answer: A) Anyway
15. Which sentence uses “anyways” naturally in an informal context?
A) Anyways, I’ll call you later.
B) Anyways, please submit your academic thesis.
C) Anyways, according to the formal report.
D) Anyways, the legal contract states.
Answer: A) Anyways, I’ll call you later.
16. Which spelling is correct?
A) Anywey
B) Anywase
C) Anyways
D) Anywais
Answer: C) Anyways
17. What should you usually choose in professional writing?
A) Anyways
B) Anyway
C) Any way
D) Anywaze
Answer: B) Anyway
18. Choose the correct form:
“She didn’t want to go, but she went _____.”
A) anyways
B) any way
C) anyway
D) anywase
Answer: C) anyway
19. Which statement about “anyways” is correct?
A) It is always a spelling error.
B) It is an informal form of “anyway.”
C) It can only be used in academic writing.
D) It has a completely different meaning from “anyway.”
Answer: B) It is an informal form of “anyway.”
20. What is the easiest rule to remember?
A) Always use anyways.
B) Never use anyway.
C) Use “anyway” for standard/formal English and “anyways” mainly in casual contexts.
D) Use “any way” everywhere.
Answer: C) Use “anyway” for standard/formal English and “anyways” mainly in casual contexts.
FAQs
Is “anyways” grammatically correct?
Yes, anyways is an established English form, but it is generally informal. Cambridge Dictionary lists it as an informal form of anyway.
Is “anyway” more correct than “anyways”?
For standard and formal writing, anyway is generally the better choice. Anyways is commonly used informally, especially in conversational English.
Can I use “anyways” in an essay?
It’s usually better to use anyway in an academic or formal essay. Anyways can make the writing sound more conversational than intended.
Is “anyways” a spelling mistake?
Not necessarily. Dictionaries recognize anyways, but they identify it as informal or nonstandard depending on the dictionary and variety of English.
Can “anyway” start a sentence?
Yes. For example:
Anyway, let’s continue.
When anyway works as a discourse marker at the beginning of a sentence, a comma commonly follows it.
What does “anyway” mean?
Depending on context, anyway can mean regardless, in any case, or despite that. It can also help introduce or return to a topic in conversation.
Is “anyways” more common in American English?
Anyways is particularly associated with informal American usage, although it also appears in Canadian and other varieties of English. Cambridge labels it informal, while corpus research shows regional differences in how anyway and anyways are used.
Which should I use in professional writing?
Use anyway. It is the straightforward choice for professional emails, reports, academic work, and other polished writing.
Conclusion: Anyway or Anyways?
So, anyway or anyways which one is correct?
Both forms exist in English, but they aren’t equal in formality. Anyway is the standard, versatile choice and works well in formal writing, professional communication, and everyday conversation.
Anyways is an informal variant that is more closely associated with casual speech and relaxed writing.
When you’re unsure, remember the simple rule:
Choose “anyway” for standard and formal English. Use “anyways” when a casual, conversational tone is intentional.
And don’t forget the third form: any way means a method or manner and has a different grammatical function.
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I’m Muhammad Bilal, the founder of Rule Zenix and a passionate English grammar content creator with one year of experience. I create simple, accurate, and practical guides on grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and writing to help students, professionals, and English learners improve their communication skills with confidence.
