Anytime vs. Any Time

A century ago, it was standard to write any time as two words in all contexts. But it’s now perfectly acceptable to write anytime as one word when you’re using it as an adverb. However, some readers still consider it a casualism, so you may want to stick to the two-word version for extremely formal writing.

• When in doubt, write any time as two words. It might look a little old-fashioned, but it won’t be wrong.
• Anytime is an adverb that means “whenever” or “at any time.” You can use it like you would any other adverb: Call me anytime. Call me often. Call me quickly.
• You can’t use anytime with a preposition like at. If you have a preposition, you need the two-word version: They could call at any time.
• You also need the two-word version when you’re talking about an amount of time: Do you have any time to speak to us today?

When Is Anytime One Word?

You can write anytime as one word or as two words when you are using it as an adverb.

I am available anytime if you’d like me to help you with your novel.

I am available any time if you’d like me to help you with your novel.

My new bicycle allows me to go anywhere, anytime.

My new bicycle allows me to go anywhere, any time.

If you’re not sure whether you’re using anytime as an adverb, try substituting some other adverb like “quickly” or “loudly.” My new bicycle allows me to go anywhere quickly. If the adverb works, then it’s OK to make anytime one word. You can also make it two words, but to some readers it will look old-fashioned or more formal.

You can also use anytime (or any time) as a conjunction.

Anytime the sun went down, we’d go for a night-swim.

Any time the sun went down, we’d go for a night-swim.

There’s no difference in meaning.

When Is Any Time Two Words?

There are a couple of cases where you have to make any time two words.

Any time has to be two words when you use it with a preposition like “at.”

You can call me at any time of the day, even at night.

You can call me at anytime of the day, even at night.

You also have to make any time two words when you’re talking about an amount of time.

Do you have any time to speak with us today?

Do you have anytime to speak with us today?

10 (More) Words That English Needs

You can’t leave the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows after reading only ten entries, and you can’t spread the word about one of the best websites on the Internet in just one article. So here we go, ten more words from the great fictional dictionary describing feelings and sensations you’ll recognize as soon as you read their descriptions.

Ambedo is the melancholic, almost hypnotic state you get into when you focus on sensory details like the flickering of a candle or tall trees swaying in the wind and you start thinking about the frailty of life.

Ellipsism is a sadness you feel because you will never know the answer to the question of our existence and you’ll never know how it all turns out in the end.

Apomakrysmenophobia is not a sorrow, it’s a fear—a fear that every connection you have in your life is, essentially, shallow.

We are but the smallest dots in the great and vast universe, and when you look at the night sky and feel slightly unsettled but also awed by the millions of miles separating huge stars, you feel degrassé.

Xeno is the tiniest measure of human connection you can actually feel, like when a person sends you a flirtatious glance, or when someone smiles at you passing by.

Every once in a while, you come across an author with whom you just connect, no matter how far in space or time they might be from you. That feeling of connection is called moledro

Chrysalism is the feeling of calmness you get while you’re indoors, listening to a thunderstorm happening outside.

Sonder will happen to you on the street, when you start noticing the people passing you by, and all of a sudden you realize that each and every one of them has a life that’s as vivid to them as yours is to you.

Catoptric tristesse is a sadness you feel when you realize that you’ll never really know what other people think about you.

On the day you turn 26, you have a midsummer—a feast that marks the point in your life when you can no longer use your youth as an excuse. It’s a time to buck up and start reaping what you sow, all the while noticing that the days of your life are becoming shorter.

March MADness Championship: What’s the Worst Work Habit?

The time has come to choose the most vile, odious, offensive, and obnoxious work pet peeve. March MADness has had its ups and downs, covering everything from emojis to people who like to lean in when they talk. But alas, all good things must come to an end, and the time has come to choose our March MADness champion.

Now, let’s meet our Final Infuriating Four. Vote for your least favorite habit to be crowned the worst work habit. Also, let us know what you think of the results of our month-long bracket below!

The Worst Chat Crime: Emoji Overload

��������☠️ These people like to send a string of seemingly useless emojis in work chat, especially in public channels. While they may think it’s cute, it actually shows they have nothing to say.

The Worst Email Fail: Autonotification Email Hell

Autonotifications are sent automatically when someone updates a task, project, or chat. In the best-case scenario, these autonotifications can be batched, but usually your inbox gets swamped by minor updates to various channels. Is it really necessary to know that someone left a chat? Rarely.

The Worst Call Catastrophe: Background Noise Nuisances

We’ve all joined a call where the other participants sounded like they were either in an echo chamber, a wind tunnel, or the middle of Times Square. Nobody likes those calls, and nobody likes distracting background noise.

The Worst IRL Irritation: “Well, actually . . .”

This phrase is the hallmark of a know-it-all. With a penchant for perfection and an inability to filter relevant details from irrelevant ones, this person never misses an opportunity to correct or clarify themselves and others.

The Basics on Subject and Object Pronouns: Answers

Answers:

1) Martha and Jim are in the office. Correct. 2) She is telling him a joke. Correct. 3) Jim made a copy of the report for Lucy and I. Incorrect. Jim made a copy of the report for Lucy and me. 4) I have to go. Mark is calling for Lucy and me. Correct. 5) Our co-workers love Martha’s cookies. Correct. 6) Jim and me are planning a surprise for Sue’s birthday. Incorrect. Jim and I are planning a surprise for Sue’s birthday. 7) We will give them extra cookies next week.Correct. 8) Who did you give the money to? Incorrect. Whom did you give the money to?