Answer: When do you use "everyday" versus "every day"?
Hello again, fellow grammarians! Today we're going to answer the question, When do you use "everyday" versus "every day"?, with a little help from our friends over at Once Upon a Time.
So our conundrum today is when to use "everyday" versus "every day".
Everyday is primarily used as an adjective, but it can also be a noun. In either form, it boils down to a daily or commonplace occurrence.
"Henry, you know the Waterford glasses are for special occasions," Regina said, frowning at her son. "Dinner with your other mother is an everyday event now."
"But, Mom--"
She shook her head. "No, Henry. We'll use the regular plates, just like we do for everyday."
Every day, on the other hand is an adverb phrase consisting of both an adjective (every) and a noun (day) that signifies something that happens each day without fail.
"Ms. Swan, I need you to pick up Henry after school today."
Emma stared at her phone for a minute. "Regina? You okay? You never let me do that. You told me from the start that he comes to your office after school every day."
"I'm fine," came the terse reply. "Can you do it or not?"
The best way to remember whether to use "everyday" or "every day" is this: If you can exchange it for "each day" and it makes sense, you use "every day". Two words for two words. If you can exchange it for "common" or "ordinary" and it makes sense, you use "everyday". One word for one word.
Resources
So our conundrum today is when to use "everyday" versus "every day".
Everyday is primarily used as an adjective, but it can also be a noun. In either form, it boils down to a daily or commonplace occurrence.
"Henry, you know the Waterford glasses are for special occasions," Regina said, frowning at her son. "Dinner with your other mother is an everyday event now."
"But, Mom--"
She shook her head. "No, Henry. We'll use the regular plates, just like we do for everyday."
Every day, on the other hand is an adverb phrase consisting of both an adjective (every) and a noun (day) that signifies something that happens each day without fail.
"Ms. Swan, I need you to pick up Henry after school today."
Emma stared at her phone for a minute. "Regina? You okay? You never let me do that. You told me from the start that he comes to your office after school every day."
"I'm fine," came the terse reply. "Can you do it or not?"
The best way to remember whether to use "everyday" or "every day" is this: If you can exchange it for "each day" and it makes sense, you use "every day". Two words for two words. If you can exchange it for "common" or "ordinary" and it makes sense, you use "everyday". One word for one word.
Resources
- Everyday vs Every day @
e Learn English Language - Everyday vs. every day @ Grammarist.com
- Everyday vs. Every Day @ Grammarly.com
- Everyay vs. Every Day Quiz @ About.com
- everyday @ Dictionary.com