anyways (anyway)

Most native and fluent writers use anyway (one word). Anyways (with -s) appears in speech and some dialects but reads nonstandard in formal writing. Below: a quick answer, precise grammar and spacing notes, many wrong→right pairs for work, school, and casual use, rewrite patterns, a short proofreading checklist, a memory trick, and similar errors to watch for.

Quick answer

'Anyway' (one word) is the standard adverb and discourse marker. 'Anyways' is nonstandard or dialectal; avoid it in professional and academic writing. Use 'any way' (two words) only when you mean 'any manner' or 'any method'.

'Anyway' - standard: transition or adverb (use in formal writing).
'Anyways' - informal/dialectal; okay only in quoted speech or deliberate voice.
'Any way' - two words when 'way' = method or manner (Is there any way to fix this?).

Core explanation: why 'anyways' is usually wrong

The one-word form anyway is the established adverb in style guides and dictionaries. The -s form occurs in informal speech and regional dialects, not in standard written English.

For clarity and credibility in emails, reports, and essays, replace 'anyways' with 'anyway' or remove the filler altogether.

Standard: anyway (one word) as adverb or transition.
Nonstandard: anyways - use only for voice or direct quotation.
Two words: any way = any method, manner, or route.

Grammar: part of speech and common roles

'Anyway' serves as an adverb (modifying verbs) or as a discourse marker (a transition). It doesn't convert to 'anyways' in standard grammar.

Adverb: I tried anyway. (modifies the verb tried)
Transition: Anyway, let's return to the issue. (signals shift or return)
'Any way' = any method: Is there any way to reopen the file?

Hyphenation and spacing: 'anyway' vs 'any way' (no hyphen)

There is no hyphen: use anyway (one word) for the adverb/transition, or any way (two words) when way is a noun meaning method. Avoid 'any-way' and do not add an -s in formal writing.

anyway = adverb or transition (one word)
any way = any manner/method (two words)
Avoid: any-way, anyways (in formal contexts)

Real usage and tone: when 'anyways' might be acceptable

'Anyways' fits casual speech, regional dialect, or fiction that needs authentic voice. It signals informality and can look careless in business, academic, or journalistic prose.

Keep 'anyways' for quoted speech or character dialogue.
In professional contexts, use 'anyway' or choose a clearer transition (however, therefore, in addition).

Casual (acceptable): Dialogue: He said, 'Anyways, I ain't worried.' - preserves voice.
Work (avoid): 'Anyways, attached is the report.' → 'Anyway, attached is the report.' or just 'Attached is the report.'

Examples: practical wrong→right pairs (work, school, casual, plus quick fixes)

Each wrong sentence shows the common error; each right sentence gives a corrected version. When a clearer rewrite is natural, that option appears.

Work - Wrong: Anyways, please review the attached budget.
Work - Right: Anyway, please review the attached budget.
Work - Wrong: Anyways we decided to postpone the launch.
Work - Right: Anyway, we decided to postpone the launch.
Work - Wrong: Anyways the committee agreed to the change.
Work - Right: The committee agreed to the change.
School - Wrong: Anyways, the results were inconclusive.
School - Right: Anyway, the results were inconclusive.
School - Wrong: Anyways my grades improved after the revision.
School - Right: Anyway, my grades improved after the revision.
Casual - Wrong: Anyways I'm heading out - see you later.
Casual - Right: Anyway, I'm heading out - see you later.
Casual - Wrong: He goes, 'Anyways, that's done,' and walks away.
Casual - Right: He goes, 'Anyway, that's done,' and walks away.
Common wrong: Anyways is often used in conversations.
Common right: Anyway is often used in conversations.
Common wrong: Anyways I couldn't find a solution.
Common right: Anyway, I couldn't find a solution.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence rather than the word alone. Context makes the right choice clear: meaning, tone, and emphasis determine whether to keep, change, or remove the phrase.

Rewrite help: remove the filler or choose a stronger transition

Often deleting anyway tightens prose. When a transition is needed, use a specific connector: however, therefore, meanwhile, to sum up.

If 'anyway' adds no information, delete it.
For contrast use: however, nevertheless.
For summary use: to sum up, in short.

Rewrite:
Wrong: 'Anyways, I wanted to bring up performance issues.' → 'I wanted to bring up performance issues.'
Rewrite:
Wrong: 'Anyways, that's all I had for today.' → 'That's all I had for today.'
Rewrite:
Wrong: 'Anyways, to sum up, we missed the deadline.' → 'To sum up, we missed the deadline.'
Rewrite:
Wrong: 'Anyways, I don't think that's true.' → 'However, I don't think that's true.'

Fix your own sentence: a short checklist

Use these three quick checks whenever you find 'anyways'.

Meaning: If you mean 'any method', use any way (two words).
Tone: For formal writing, replace 'anyways' with 'anyway' or remove it.
Clarity: If the sentence reads better without a transition, delete it or pick a precise connector.

Example: 'Anyways, we can adjust the timeline.' → Decide: keep transition? Yes → 'Anyway, we can adjust the timeline.' Or remove: 'We can adjust the timeline.'

Memory trick and proofreading tips

Mnemonic: read 'any way' as 'any + way' when you mean method; otherwise use 'anyway' as one word. Don't add an -s unless you're writing dialectal speech.

Proofreading tip: search your document for 'anyways' (CTRL/CMD-F). For each instance, choose replace with 'anyway', split to 'any way', or delete the filler.

Search for 'anyways' and handle each case: replace, split, or remove.
Prefer 'anyway' in formal writing; use varied transitions to improve flow.
Keep 'anyways' only in dialogue or quoted speech that requires dialect.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Apply the same check-meaning, tone, clarity-to these frequent errors.

alright → all right (prefer 'all right' in formal writing)
could of / should of → could have / should have
everyday vs every day (everyday = adjective; every day = adverbial phrase)
gonna / wanna → going to / want to (avoid in formal writing)

Usage: Wrong: 'I could of helped.' →
Right: 'I could have helped.'
Usage: Wrong: 'Alright, let's start.' →
Right: 'All right, let's start.'

FAQ

Is 'anyways' correct?

'Anyways' is nonstandard in formal written English. Use 'anyway' for transitions and adverbial use; use 'any way' when you mean 'any method'. Keep 'anyways' only in quoted or dialectal speech.

Can I start a sentence with 'Anyway'?

Yes. Starting a sentence with 'Anyway' as a transition is standard: 'Anyway, back to the topic.' Avoid 'Anyways' in the same position in formal writing.

When should I use 'any way' (two words)?

Use 'any way' when 'way' is a noun meaning method or manner: 'Is there any way to reset the password?' If it functions as a transition, use 'anyway' (one word).

Should I change 'anyways' in older or quoted speech?

No-when quoting someone or writing dialogue where dialect matters, keep 'anyways'. For standard prose, change it to 'anyway'.

Will grammar checkers flag 'anyways'?

Most grammar checkers mark 'anyways' as nonstandard and suggest 'anyway'. Use them to find instances quickly, but apply the meaning/tone checklist before accepting automated changes.

Quick fix checklist (final)

Search your draft for 'anyways' and handle each instance using meaning, tone, and clarity. When unsure, replace with 'anyway' or remove the filler-those choices are safe and professional.

Do one final scan for related nonstandard forms (alright, could of, everyday) to tighten tone across the document.