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I recently came across Writing Explained, a grammar website that can be an invaluable resource for authors. This little gem is from one of their posts. If you enjoy learning about the English language’s intricacies, this is the perfect website for you!
So, what is the Difference Between Anymore and Any more?
The traditional (although now less common) spelling is as two separate words: any more. In the last 50 years or so, the single word anymore has increased in use and a distinction between the one-word and two-word spellings has emerged.
Any more as a Determiner
What does “any more” mean? When “any more” is used to mean an indefinite quantity of something or even the smallest amount, it is functioning as a determiner. For example,
- Do you want any more food?
- Is there any more pie left?
- I can’t eat any more food; I am completely stuffed.
- I don’t want any more trouble.
- Forcing people to wait until 67 to collect wouldn’t save taxpayers any more money than the 30 percent cut to the benefit at age 62 does. –The New York Times
“Any more” is only used in questions and negative statements describing the quantity of something. The two-word spelling is near universal when this meaning is implied.
There are other contexts, too, where the words must be kept separate. For instance,
- You can’t play basketball any more than I can fly an airplane.
If the two words were together in the above example, the meaning would change and the sentence would be confusing. It wouldn’t be clear whether you are saying that you can no longer play basketball or you are making a comparison between abilities.
Anymore as an Adverb
When “anymore” is used to mean to any further extent; any longer, it is functioning as an adverb. For example,
- I don’t go sailing anymore.
- There is nothing for me here—not anymore.
- The price of gasoline isn’t cheap anymore.
“Anymore,” as an adverb, should only find itself in negative constructions.
Anymore vs. Any more: Helpful Distinctions
In American English and other forms of English outside the U.K., there is a useful distinction that separates “any more” vs. “anymore.”
“Any more” (two words) is reserved when referring to even the smallest amount. In other words, when used as a determiner, the two-word spelling any more is used.
- I don’t want any more children.
“Anymore” (one word) is reserved for the meaning any longer. In other words, when used as an adverb, the one-word spelling anymore is used.
- You’re not a little kid anymore.
In British English, however, it is still quite common to see “any more” (two words) as an adverb in print.
Trick to Remember the Difference
Still not sure when to use “anymore” or “any more”? Here’s a helpful mnemonic to remember the difference.
- I don’t buy shoes anymore because I don’t need any more shoes.
This is a great sentence that demonstrates the uses of “anymore” and “any more.” When you are using the word to mean any longer, think the one-word “anymore.”
When you are talking about numbers and quantities, think the two-word spelling any more.
For some more great tips, check out Writing Explained. Many thanks to Sebastian for the link!
Gwen Plano said:
Excellent explanation! Thank you. 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thanks! It soooo confusing–and doesn’t get any easier when you hear that British English uses the two-word form anyway 😀
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V.M.Sang said:
Not entirely true, Nicholas. I’m British and have spoken and written British English all my life. I use the two forms (correctly, I hope!) and as I remember, learned them at school. However, I am getting older and perhaps it’s changed. (Could even be the ignorance of the teacher in some cases. I saw an ENGLISH Teacher who had ‘corrected’ the right use of ‘lose’ to ‘loose’. Not very confidence inspiring.)
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Interesting. The original post said the distinction is becoming more common in British English as well but that this wasn’t the case until fairly recently.
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Thêa said:
Thank you! This seams to be a perfect website for me. 👍
The English language cannot only be confusing, sometimes it is plain devious. Maybe even more for me who does not have English as my native language? (Or – is that assumption wrong?) 🤓
Anyhow! I don’t trust Grammarly completely. 🥴
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
And you shouldn’t! Grammarly, just like any other automatic tool, needs your firm guidance to lead to a good result 🙂
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Thêa said:
Hopefully it gives me
the right preposition when I have chosen the wrong one. Which I often do… 🤓🤣
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
They’re the bane of my existence, too 😀
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Thêa said:
😀
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Charles Yallowitz said:
Never really thought about this topic. Thanks for the clarification.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Glad you found it useful! There’s a myriad of these annoying little things. Thank God for editors!
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Charles Yallowitz said:
They truly deserve a holiday. We can send them bouquets of red pens.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
You’re such a romantic!
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Staci Troilo said:
This is something I come across frequently when editing. Nice to know there’s a site with a clear explanation and examples. Thanks for sharing.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
It’s a bit of a minefield, isn’t it? 🙂
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Staci Troilo said:
You have no idea.
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Marina Costa said:
Reblogged this on Marina Costa and commented:
I didn’t know it.
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Joan Hall said:
I’m sure I’ve made my share of mistakes when writing. This is a great explanation.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yay! Glad you found it useful 😀
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The Story Reading Ape said:
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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gibsonauthor said:
Reblogged this on s a gibson.
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Gabi Coatsworth said:
I usually use anymore when I mean any longer. Otherwise, any more. But I like your sentence!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Sounds like you had it right all along 🙂
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Lindsey Russell said:
I’m now off to put ‘anymore’ in my ‘find’ search to make sure I’ve not used it in my WIP as I’m British 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I hope my proofreader has caught all such mistakes 🙂
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V.M.Sang said:
I stumbled across this website when trying to check something in some writing I was critiquing. It’s really useful.
Another minefield, though, is the difference between British English and American English. I have had my (correct) British English changed by editors and critique partners.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I’ve had that happen to me as well. It’s really frustrating, especially when they claim in Amazon reviews that these are typos!
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rijanjks said:
Ah, the confusing English language! Thanks for the post, Nicholas. This word (or words) always trips me up.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yay, so glad you found it useful 😀
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annabellefranklinauthor said:
Thank you for this clear explanation. My computer spellcheck always wants me to use ‘anymore’ regardless of the context – every time I split it into two words, it puts a blue wiggly line underneath!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Oh, that’s interesting! Is it set in British English?
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annabellefranklinauthor said:
Yes, I think so. It doesn’t seem to mind ‘favourite’ or ‘colour’.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
That might be why 🙂
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KC Faelan said:
Reblogged this on KC Faelan.
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kimwrtr said:
Reblogged this on Kim's Musings.
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kundo said:
Thanks. This was very helpful.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yay! Glad to hear that 😀
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Steve Boseley said:
The Oxford English Dictionary spells the adverb as 2 words, but it has been spelled as a single word since the 19th century. I understand entirely what you are saying Nicholas, but as an Englishman (there’s more confusion), this appears to be a UK-US thing, although as you point out, we are slowly succumbing to the US use on this usage.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Now I wonder what our Aussie friends make of it 🙂
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marymichaelschmidt said:
Reblogged this on When Angels Fly.
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Jennie said:
Excellent, Nicholas!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
So glad you enjoyed it 😀
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Jennie said:
You are welcome. 🙂
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