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Anytime one word8/30/2023 ![]() ![]() *Either choice is appropriate in the beginning example sentence. Any time is not a single word but a noun phrase that functions as an adverb in the sentence. This choice alone should appear after a preposition. anytime and the two constructions cannot be used interchangeably.Īnytime functions as an adverb and means “any time whatsoever.”Īny time means “any particular amount of time.” It is a noun phrase that can function adverbially. There is a distinction to be made between any time vs. I can hang out anytime tomorrow night.If we were to remove the preposition “at” in the above example, thereby removing the prepositional phrase, both would be acceptable since the noun phrase any time can be used adverbially. The reason only any time will work in this sentence is because prepositions take objects, and only a noun or noun phrase can be the object of a preposition, not an adverb. I can hang out at anytime tomorrow night.I can hang out at any time tomorrow night.Only any time (two words) can follow a prepositional phrase. ![]() ![]() When writing, we need to be careful when using these words with prepositional phrases. Now, you’re probably thinking, if anytime and any time can both function as adverbs, can they be used interchangeably? However, until the time comes that it is included in a dictionary, it is best to keep the two words separate in formal works. Like all informal slang, it is up to personal preference in informal works. Argument could be made that if anytime is an adverb, then so is anyday. Can Anytime and Any Time be Used Interchangeably? Unlike anytime, anyday has not made its way into dictionaries in any form. Example sentences: You’re welcome to come over. at a time that is not or does not need to be decided or agreed: Stop by to see me anytime. When we write it as one word, it is an adverb. (UK also any time) us / en.i.tam / uk / en.i.tam /. Just like the one-word anytime, the two-word any time also functions adverbially, but it also has additional functions as a noun phrase. Conversely, although some people consider it somewhat informal, anytime as a singular word has become more common. I don’t have any time to read now that I got this new job.The conference was good, but I spent hardly any time sightseeing.Do you have any time tomorrow to help me with my homework?.I can meet at any time on Saturday for lunch.Īs you can see, the sentence still makes sense with the phrase “at any time” substituted, so we can safely use “anytime.” When to Use Any Time (Two Words)Īny time, used as two words, is the more versatile of the two constructions, so, if you are ever unsure about which variant is correct for your sentence, pick the two-word any time.Īny time is a noun phrase, and it has a meaning similar to “any amount of time.” Here are a few examples,.I can meet anytime on Saturday for lunch.If it still makes sense, anytime is correct choice. The train should be leaving anytime now.Ī good trick to determine if anytime is appropriate to use is to substitute “at any time” into your sentence.You can watch TV anytime let’s go do something.When to Use Anytime (One Word)Īnytime, used as a single word, is an adverb, and it has a meaning similar to “whenever,” “at any time,” or “ on any occasion.” Here are a few examples, any time, explain their functions within a sentence, provide examples, and give you some tips to keep track of them. It's actually possible in AE to write "Well, if today doesn't work and tomorrow is not good, do you think you will have any time anytime before the deadline? It's due day after tomorrow." The meanings are that different and they actually have different emphases, in my experience.Today I want to discuss the differences between anytime vs. I wouldn't write "Do you have anytime to get together today to talk about the Wilmington proposal?" I would consider that a mistake in American English. What is different about this particular one is that in American English both the compound word and the two separate words exist and are used differently. I can certainly accept that "anytime" is not standard in British English. anyone), although I've read 19th century works where "any body" was distinctly two words.ĭifferent variants have different spellings and different compound words. ![]() Unlike any time, the single-word version can’t be used with the. The team said they could beat the other team anytime. It can mean at any time, without a doubt, or whenever when you don’t want or can’t specify the time. I doubt we would have this discussion about "anybody/any body", "anywhere/any where", "anything/any thing" or "any one" (well, I take that back - we have had discussions about any-one vs. Anytime is a single word functioning as an adverb in the sentence. ![]()
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