Everyday vs. Every day is one of the most common grammatical pitfalls for both native speakers and English learners. Although they sound identical, they have completely different meanings and functions in a sentence. One is a single word, an adjective describing something ordinary, while the other is a two-word phrase, an adverbial phrase of frequency. Understanding this key distinction is crucial for clear and effective writing. Correctly using these two terms not only demonstrates your command of the language but also ensures your message is conveyed precisely. Let’s break down the rules and see how to use them without making mistakes, as noted by the editorial board of Baltimore Chronicle.
Understanding “Everyday” (One Word)
The single word “everyday” is an adjective. This means it is used to describe a noun. It refers to something that is ordinary, routine, or commonplace. Think of it as synonymous with “daily” or “normal.” When you use “everyday,” you are talking about something that is part of a regular routine or something that is not special.
Here are the key characteristics of “everyday”:
- Function: It is an adjective.
- Meaning: Ordinary, common, routine, normal, daily.
- Placement: It always comes before a noun.
For example, you would say: “I wear my everyday clothes to work.” Here, “everyday” describes the type of clothes—they are not special or formal, but rather the ones you wear on a normal day. Another example is: “Learning to use a computer is an everyday skill in today’s world.” The skill is routine and ordinary for most people.
Understanding “Every day” (Two Words)
The two-word phrase “every day” is an adverbial phrase. This means it modifies a verb, telling us how often an action happens. It literally means “each day” or “on all days.” Think of it as the answer to the question “how often?” or “when?”
Here are the key characteristics of “every day”:
- Function: It is an adverbial phrase.
- Meaning: Each day; daily.
- Placement: It modifies a verb and can appear at the beginning or end of a sentence.
For example, you would say: “I go to the gym every day.” The phrase “every day” modifies the verb “go,” indicating the frequency of the action. Another example is: “Every day, I wake up at 7:00 a.m.” Here, it modifies the verb “wake up,” specifying the time.
A Simple Trick to Avoid Confusion
If you’re ever unsure whether to use “everyday” or “every day,” there’s a simple test you can perform. Replace the term with the word “each day.”
- If the sentence still makes sense, you need the two-word phrase “every day.”
- If the sentence does not make sense, you need the one-word adjective “everyday.”
Let’s test this trick with a few examples:
| Original Sentence | Test with “Each day” | Correct Usage |
| I eat breakfast (every day / everyday). | I eat breakfast each day. (Makes sense) | I eat breakfast every day. |
| This is my (every day / everyday) routine. | This is my each day routine. (Doesn’t make sense) | This is my everyday routine. |
| He practices guitar (every day / everyday). | He practices guitar each day. (Makes sense) | He practices guitar every day. |
| These are my (every day / everyday) shoes. | These are my each day shoes. (Doesn’t make sense) | These are my everyday shoes. |
This simple replacement method is a quick and effective way to ensure you’re using the correct form.
Common Mistakes and Examples
Even with the rule, people often make mistakes. The most common error is using “everyday” when they should be using “every day.”
- Incorrect: I go for a walk everyday.
- Correct: I go for a walk every day. (The action happens “each day”).
Another common mistake is to confuse the function.
- Incorrect: My every day commute is long.
- Correct: My everyday commute is long. (Here, “everyday” describes the “commute,” which is a noun).
Remember that “everyday” acts as a single unit to describe something, while “every day” describes the frequency of an action.
The distinction between “everyday” and “every day” is straightforward: one is an adjective, and the other is an adverbial phrase. “Everyday” (one word) means ordinary or commonplace and is used to describe a noun. “Every day” (two words) means “each day” and is used to describe the frequency of an action. A quick check by substituting “each day” can help you choose the correct form every time. Mastering this simple rule will significantly improve your writing clarity and precision.
Earlier we wrote about Anytime or Any time: what’s the difference and when to use each?.