-ward / -wards
The ending -ward, with and without the s.
In American English, words such as toward, forward, upward, onward, and afterward end in -ward, with no s. The British form takes the s.
See also toward / towards; backward / backwards.
Examples
UseThe hikers turned toward the ridge as the light faded.
UseAfterward, the jury asked to see the floor plan again.
AvoidThe hikers turned towards the ridge as the light faded. (Change towards to toward.)
AvoidAfterwards, the jury asked to see the floor plan again. (Change Afterwards to Afterward.)