No, "every day" is typically written as two distinct words when you refer to something that happens each day. However, its one-word counterpart, "everyday," exists as an adjective with a different meaning and grammatical function.
Understanding the difference between "every day" (two words) and "everyday" (one word) is crucial for correct English usage. While they sound identical, their spelling depends entirely on their role in a sentence.
The Distinction Between "Every Day" and "Everyday"
The key to knowing whether to use one word or two lies in their grammatical function and what you intend to convey.
"Every Day" (Two Words)
When "every day" is written as two words, it functions as an adverbial phrase. It tells you how often something occurs, meaning "each day" or "daily." It modifies a verb, indicating the frequency of an action.
- Meaning: Each day; daily.
- Function: Adverbial phrase.
- Examples:
- She comes to work every day. (Describes how often she comes)
- I try to exercise every day for at least 30 minutes. (Describes how often I exercise)
- The store is open every day except Sunday. (Describes how often the store is open)
"Everyday" (One Word)
When "everyday" is written as a single word, it functions as an adjective. It modifies a noun, describing its nature as something ordinary, usual, or common. It tells you what kind of thing something is.
- Meaning: Common, ordinary, routine, typical.
- Function: Adjective.
- Examples:
- This is an everyday occurrence in busy cities. (Describes the kind of occurrence)
- I need to buy some everyday clothes for casual wear. (Describes the kind of clothes)
- Managing finances is part of everyday life for adults. (Describes the kind of life)
- He writes about the everyday struggles of working-class families. (Describes the kind of struggles)
Quick Reference Guide
To solidify your understanding, here's a simple table summarizing the differences:
| Form | Grammatical Role | Meaning | Example Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Every day | Adverbial Phrase | Each day, daily | "He practices piano every day." |
| Everyday | Adjective | Common, ordinary, routine | "This is an everyday task for me." |
Practical Tips for Correct Usage
- Test with "Each Day": If you can replace "every day" with "each day" in your sentence and it still makes sense, then "every day" (two words) is correct.
- Example: "I read each day." (Makes sense, so "I read every day.")
- Test with "Common" or "Ordinary": If you can replace "everyday" with "common" or "ordinary" and the sentence still makes sense, then "everyday" (one word) is correct.
- Example: "These are my common shoes." (Makes sense, so "These are my everyday shoes.")
- Look for the Noun: If the word directly precedes and describes a noun, it's likely the adjective "everyday" (one word). If it describes when an action happens, it's the adverbial phrase "every day" (two words).
By applying these simple rules, you can easily distinguish between "every day" and "everyday" and use them correctly in your writing.
