ESEN
Which one to use?Intermediateadjetivoadverbio
EverydayvsEvery day
"Everyday" (one word) is an adjective meaning ordinary or daily; "every day" (two words) means each day.
Side-by-side comparison
Everyday
adjetivo"Everyday" (one word) is an adjective meaning ordinary or belonging to daily life. It always comes before a noun: "everyday life", "everyday problems".
This is an everyday problem that most people face at some point.
She switched to more everyday clothing after leaving her corporate job.
The app is designed for everyday use, not just occasional tasks.
Every day
adverbio"Every day" (two words) means "each day". Quick test: if you can replace it with "each day" and the sentence still makes sense, you need the two-word version.
She goes to the gym every day before work.
I check my email every day, even on weekends.
The price of gasoline seems to change every day.
Common mistake
Quick test: substitute "each day". If the sentence still makes sense, use two words ("every day"). If it does not work because it sits before a noun, use one word ("everyday routine"). "She exercises every day" / "She has an everyday routine".
Trick to remember it
- •"Everyday" (one word) = adjective before a noun ("everyday life").
- •"Every day" (two words) = each day, replaceable with "each day".
- •If you can put "an" before it: one word.
- •If you can replace it with "each day": two words.
Quick rule
- •"Everyday" (one word) = adjective before a noun.
- •"Every day" (two words) = each day (substitutable with "each day").
Did you know?
"Everyday" as a compound adjective is relatively recent in English. The Oxford English Dictionary traces its use as an adjective to the 18th century. Before that it was always written as two words. This pattern of "two words becoming one word" happens regularly in English over time: "some day" → "someday", "any one" → "anyone", "any body" → "anybody". English tends to fuse into one word what is frequently used as a unit.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
She uses _____ items in her art: old spoons, newspapers, and buttons.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
She runs _____ , rain or shine. Nothing stops her.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
ApartvsA part
"Apart" = separated, at a distance; "a part" = a piece or member of something larger.
MaybevsMay be
"Maybe" (one word) = perhaps, possibly; "may be" (two words) = might be, could be.
AcceptvsExcept
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
AdvicevsAdvise
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy