Do you wonder about the word anytime at any time? Anytime I stop to think about a word before I write it, wondering whether it is one word or two, it seems like a good topic to write about. If it takes me any time to think about it, I assume you may be thinking about it too.
That paragraph illustrates the use of anytime and any time.
Any amount of time = any time.
Do you have any time to review this piece?
We spent hardly any time in Dallas.
He doesn't have any time for us now that he has a girlfriend.
Whenever, at any time = anytime.
Call me anytime.
Anytime this happens, let me know.
I can meet anytime on Friday.
The correct choice after the preposition at is always the two-word form. Or leave out the preposition and use the one-word form. (Leaving out the at seems to be an American habit.)
I can meet with you at any time. (Compare: I can meet with you anytime.)
Did you talk with him at any time? (Compare: Did you talk with him anytime?)
I am free at any time between 1 and 4 p.m. (Compare: I am free anytime between 1 and 4 p.m.)
In case you are spending any time wondering whether I made up these distinctions, I didn't. I checked Garner's Modern American Usage, Fowler's Modern English Usage (Revised Third Edition by R.W. Burchfield), and The Gregg Reference Manual. The other reference books on my shelf did not address the topic.
If you have any time to comment, do!
Lynn
Syntax Training
P.S. For more solutions to confusing word problems, see my 60 Quick Word Fixes.
Lynn:
I would add to your recommendations the book "Painless Grammar" by Rebecca Elliott, Ph.D. It's an excellent book for those who skipped English class in mind or body.
Posted by: Mike Consol | October 12, 2009 at 06:38 PM
Mike, thanks for the recommendation. I have the book, but I confess I haven't looked at it closely. Your suggestion encourages me to dig in.
Posted by: Lynn | October 14, 2009 at 07:59 PM
Thank you so much for clarifying. Your explanations and examples are extremely helpful!
Posted by: Aysha | January 05, 2010 at 09:48 AM
Great,fluent and simple explanation, Thank you.
Posted by: Azadeh | April 22, 2011 at 10:41 PM
You are welcome.
Lynn
Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | April 24, 2011 at 08:28 AM
Thank you. Your explanation hit the spot to answer my immediate question and now I've discovered your site, I plan to explore it some more. I'm an English trainer in France and the topics you address are very pertinent for me. I'll be back ANYTIME I have similar questions.
Posted by: Claire SEBESTENY | August 23, 2011 at 02:08 AM
Welcome, Claire. I am happy to be helpful.
Lynn
Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | August 23, 2011 at 12:15 PM
I've read that "anytime" is an American casualism. And, although "anytime" is often compressed into a single word by analogy with “anywhere” and similar words, “any time” is traditionally a two-word phrase.
Posted by: A Jones | September 18, 2011 at 01:19 PM
Good and quick answer to a common tricky English grammar problem.
Posted by: Yhwhyeshua | November 10, 2011 at 07:13 AM
Yhwhyeshua, I am glad you found the explanation helpful.
Lynn
Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | November 10, 2011 at 12:00 PM
Hi Lynn,
When writing these are the timecards for this week...One word or two?
Thanks
Posted by: Krista | November 21, 2011 at 09:51 AM
Krista, I believe you are asking about "timecards."
I am on vacation this week and away from my reference books. However, a quick check of online resources indicates that "time cards" (two words) is more common.
Lynn
Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | November 22, 2011 at 01:11 PM
Thank you so much! Now I understand the difference. :-)
Posted by: Literate | December 12, 2011 at 11:29 AM