Friday, September 16, 2011

Vocabulary on: Everyday or Every Day?

Everyday or every day?

Is everyday one word or two? To be honest with you – most native English speakers couldn’t answer this question!

Here is the answer:

Every day means just that - every single, individual day. It's two words. Think of it like 'every year' or 'every month' or 'every hour.’ It is used to describe a habit or repeated action.

Example sentences:
Every day I try to talk to people on Twitter!

She takes her dog for a walk every day.

Try to learn a new word every day.


However, everyday is also a word – but it has a completely different meaning!

Everyday (one word) is an adjective. It is used to describe a noun. According to the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary it means 
ordinary, typical or usual.

Example sentences:
Her work clothes are very different from her everyday clothes.

He misses his everyday life in America.

I’m so tired of cooking boring, everyday meals. I need a change!



This is a common mistake that even native English speakers make! You may be reading something and see everyday or every day used incorrectly. Remember, there is an important difference between these words!