Anyway or Anyways: Which is Correct? How to Use Plus Examples
Quick Answer
Anyway (no S) is the correct word in writing and standard speech. Anyways (with S) is informal — fine in chat with friends, but avoid it in school work, emails, and reports.
“It was raining, but we went out anyway.” ✅ — “It was raining, but we went out anyways.” (informal only)
Anyway in Action — See How It Works
The word anyway has two main jobs in English. Look at these sentences and see if you can spot the pattern:
- The shop was closed, but I tried the door anyway. (meaning: even so / regardless)
- Anyway, let’s talk about something more fun. (meaning: changing the topic)
- I don’t like coffee, but I drink it anyway in the morning. (meaning: in any case)
- Anyway, I should go now — see you tomorrow! (meaning: ending the chat)
Did you see the pattern? Anyway either means “even so” (in the middle or end of a sentence) or it changes the topic (at the start). Both jobs use the same word — and it is always anyway, never anyways.
| Form | Where to Use It | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Anyway | Writing, school, work, formal speech | “I was tired, but I went anyway.” |
| Anyways | Casual chat, text messages, friends | “Anyways, let’s grab pizza.” |
When to Use Anyway and Why Anyways Is Risky
Use anyway in any of these three ways:
- To mean “in any case”: “It is late, but I will finish my homework anyway.”
- To change the topic: “Anyway, how is your sister doing?”
- To go back to the main idea: “Anyway, as I was saying, the trip was great.”
Now here is something important. There is also any way — written as two separate words. This is a totally different word and it means “any method” or “any path”:
- “Is there any way I can help you?” (any method)
- “I cannot find any way out of this room.” (any path)
Easy way to remember: If you can replace the word with “in any case” or “even so”, use anyway (one word). If you can replace it with “any method”, use any way (two words). And forget about anyways — when you are writing, just don’t use it. You will always be safe with anyway.
The Rule in One Line: Anyway = correct. Anyways = informal slang. Any way (two words) = a method.
Real-Life Examples With Anyway
- “The meeting was boring, but I learned something anyway.” (in any case)
- “Anyway, what are you doing this weekend?” (changing the topic)
- “He said no, but she asked him again anyway.” (regardless)
- “Anyway, I should go — my bus is leaving.” (ending the chat)
- “Is there any way we can finish this faster?” (any method — note: two words!)
You are doing great. Now let’s look at the mistakes many learners make.
The Most Common Mistakes With Anyway
Many learners pick up anyways from movies, TV shows, and social media — so if you have been using it, you are not alone. Even native speakers say it all the time in casual chat. The problem is only when you write it for school, work, or any formal text.
✗ In her email: “Anyways, I will see you on Monday.”
✓ In her email: “Anyway, I will see you on Monday.”
✗ “Is there anyway I can help you?” (wrong word — this means “in any case”)
✓ “Is there any way I can help you?” (correct — two words for “method”)
✗ “I was sick, but I went to school anyways.”
✓ “I was sick, but I went to school anyway.”
How to remember: Think of writing as a job interview. You would not wear a t-shirt and shorts to a job interview, even though they are comfortable. In the same way, save anyways for relaxed time with friends. Use anyway when you want to look polished.
Other word pairs where the formal version drops a letter or two: alright/all right, everyday/every day, awhile/a while.
Test Yourself: Anyway, Anyways, or Any Way?
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.
1. In a school essay: “_______, the writer’s main point is clear.”
2. The bus was late, but we got to the party _______.
3. “Is there _______ I can fix this problem?” (asking about a method)
4. Which sentence is correct in formal writing?
5. She didn’t want to go, but she went to the meeting _______.
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You just learned that anyway is the safe, correct choice for writing — and that anyways is informal slang. That is one tiny detail that will make your writing look more polished from now on.
But here is another sneaky pair that catches almost every learner. Do you know if you should write alright as one word, or all right as two words? They sound exactly the same when you say them out loud — but only one is fully accepted in school and at work. Can you guess which one?
Next lesson: Alright vs All Right — Which Is Correct?
Source
Thesaurus results for ANYWAY — Merriam-Webster
Etymology of anyways — etymonline
My name is Khamis Maiouf. I am the creator of the English Teacher Site, dedicated to providing valuable resources and insights for students around the world. With a passion for education and a commitment to helping students enhance their skills, I aim to make English teaching more effective and enjoyable for both educators and students.
