Archive for 2018

Anytime Or Any Time

When to Use Anytime (One Word)

Anytime, used as a single word, is an adverb, and it has a meaning similar to “whenever,” “at any time,” or “ on any occasion.” Here are a few examples,

We can talk anytime you want.
Anytime you need something, just call.
You can watch TV anytime; let’s go do something.
The train should be leaving anytime now.

A good trick to determine if anytime is appropriate to use is to substitute “at any time” into your sentence. If it still makes sense, anytime is the correct choice. For example,

I can meet anytime on Saturday for lunch.
I can meet at any time on Saturday for lunch.

As you can see, the sentence still makes sense with the phrase “at any time” substituted, so we can safely use “anytime.”

When to Use Any Time (Two Words)

Any time, used as two words, is the more versatile of the two constructions, so, if you are ever unsure about which variant is correct for your sentence, pick the two-word any time.

Any time is a noun phrase, and it has a meaning similar to “any amount of time.” Here are a few examples,

Do you have any time tomorrow to help me with my homework?
The conference was good, but I spent hardly any time sightseeing.
I don’t have any time to read now that I got this new job.
You never make any time for us.

Just like the one-word anytime, the two-word any time also functions adverbially, but it also has additional functions as a noun phrase.

Can Anytime and Any Time be Used Interchangeably?

Now, you’re probably thinking, if anytime and anytime can both function as adverbs, can they be used interchangeably?

The answer is no.

When writing, we need to be careful when using these words with prepositional phrases. Only any time(two words) can follow a prepositional phrase. For example,

I can hang out at any time tomorrow night. (CORRECT)
I can hang out at anytime tomorrow night. (WRONG)

The reason only any time will work in this sentence is that prepositions take objects, and only a noun or noun phrase can be the object of a preposition, not an adverb.

If we were to remove the preposition “at” in the above example, thereby removing the prepositional phrase, both would be acceptable since the noun phrase any time can be used adverbially.

I can hang out at any time tomorrow night. (CORRECT)
I can hang out anytime tomorrow night. (CORRECT)

Summary

There is a distinction to be made between any time vs. anytime and the two constructions cannot be used interchangeably.

Anytime functions as an adverb and means “any time whatsoever.”

Any time means “any particular amount of time.” It is a noun phrase that can function adverbially. This choice alone should appear after a preposition.

*Either choice is appropriate in the beginning example sentence.

Advice or Advise

What’s the Difference Between Advice and Advise?

Today, I want to go over the definitions of these two words, their functions in a sentence, and give you a few ways to easily remember what’s different between them. After reading this post, you shouldn’t ever confuse advice vs. advise again.

When to Use Advice

Advice is noun and is defined as, “guidance or recommendations concerning prudent future action; opinion about what could or should be down about a situation or problem.” For example,

Do you have any advice for the president?
She started exercising on her doctor’s advice.
My advice to you is to invest your money early.

To give someone your advice on what to do or not to do is similar to offering them your “assistance.”

When to Use Advise

Advise is a verb and is defined as, “to offer suggestions about the best course of action.” For example,

How will you advise the president?
Her doctor advised her to start exercising.
I advise you to invest your money early.

To advise someone in a matter is similar to “assisting” them.

Pronunciation of Advice/Advise

Advice and advise are pronounced differently.

The “c” in advice has an “s” sound. It sounds the same as if you were to sandwich the two words “ad” and “vice” together.

The “s” in advise has the a “z” sound.

Remember the Difference

There are two good checks you can use to keep yourself free from errors while using these two words.

Check One: The first is that the word “advice” never changes its form. This means that you never add an “s” or “ing” to advice. It should always appear just as you see it here: advice. If you ever find yourself wanting to add any additional letters onto advice, you are about to make a mistake.

Check Two: The second check is to substitute the words “assistance” and “to assist” in their places.

If you replace the word in question with “assistance” and your sentence still makes sense, “advice” is probably the correct choice. For example,

He really needs ______ from an expert.
He really needs assistance from an expert.
He really needs advice from an expert.

Similarly, if you replace the word in question with “assist” and its various forms and your sentence still makes sense, “advise” is probably the correct choice. For example,

Will you please ______ me?
Will you please assist me?
Will you please advise me?

Summary

The two words advise vs. advice have similar meanings, but their functions in a sentence are completely different. In order to keep your writing free of any embarrassing mistakes, it’s important not to mix these words up with each other.

Advice is a noun, similar to the word assistance.

Advise is a verb, similar to the verb “to assist.”

Anytime Or Any Time

When to Use Anytime (One Word)

When to Use Any Time (Two Words)

Can Anytime and Any Time be Used Interchangeably?

Advice or Advise

What’s the Difference Between Advice and Advise?

When to Use Advice

When to Use Advise

Pronunciation of Advice/Advise

Remember the Difference

Summary

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