One word or two?
This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Sometimes (or should that be some times?) it’s difficult to know whether something (some thing?) should be written as one word or two. Well, it all depends on context. Here’s an example.
A stroppy, bored teenager may use the one word version of ‘whatever’ (emphasis on ever for maximum effect of course!) as a retort to a weary parent. Whereas the weary parent may well ask ‘what ever did happen to our sweet, angelic little child?’ I’ll explain the differences later.
I’ve put together a list of words that seem to cause most confusion. It’s by no means exhaustive but I hope you’ll find it useful.
All together now
Altogether means completely or entirely. Example: ‘I’m not altogether sure whether it’s one word or two.’
All together means as a group. Example: ‘All together now, repeat after me.’
Anyone and everyone
Anyone – any person. Example: “Does anyone know the answer?”
Any one – use when each word retains its meaning. Example: Any one of these things will do.
Everyone – every person. Example: “everyone loves Man United” (OK, OK I know that’s not true but you get my drift and it gives me an excuse to use a photo of Old Trafford. Sort of.)
Every one – when each word retains its meaning. Example: “every one of you arrived early.”
Anybody, everybody and somebody
Anybody – any person. Example: “Does anybody know the answer?”
Any body – any group of people – an association or society for example.
Everybody – every person. Example: “Everybody played really well.”
Every body – when each word retains its meaning. Example: “Every body needs food to grow.” Not a great example, but then you probably wouldn’t use the two word version very often.
Everyday
Everyday – adjective that means ordinary as in ‘always use everyday words in your writing.’
Every day – something that happens each day.
For ever and forever
For ever – means for eternity as in ‘I’ll love you for ever‘ (aw!).
Forever – means continually as in ‘I’m forever getting for ever and forever mixed up.’
Near by or nearby
This is a UK/US English thing.
In UK English we distinguish between using near by as an adverb and nearby as an adjective. Like this:
‘There were no shops near by‘.
‘The nearby shops‘.
In US English nearby is standard.
Nevermind
According to About.com Homework/Study Tips nevermind is an old fashioned word. It means attention or notice when used in a negative sense as in ‘pay no nevermind to that newspaper article’. Not a usage I’ve ever come across before!
Never mind is standard and means please disregard or pay no attention to that, or don’t worry.
Except of course in the title of Nirvana’s classic 1991 album, ‘Nevermind’ but it’s so brilliant we’ll just overlook that it may be old fashioned or incorrect.
Onto or on to?
On to when on is an adverb (or if each word retains its meaning).
as in ‘he walked on to the next station’.
Onto as in ‘she stepped onto the stage.’
There’s also the slang version as in ‘I’ll get onto that right away’.
However, there are some schools of thought, including The Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors, that say it should always be two words. (aaaggghhh!)
Somebody
Somebody – some person. Example: “Could somebody please ask Elaine to shut up?” (Don’t you dare.)
Some body – an unspecified group of people such as an organisation or association.
Yeah, whatever.
Whatever when it’s used to mean anything at all, no matter what
What ever when you want to intensify a question. Example: ‘what ever did you mean by that?’
I like this tip from Daily Writing Tips
‘Choosing one word when you mean ‘anything’ and two words when you mean ‘what on earth’ is a good way to choose which form to use.’
Always one word
Everything
Everywhere
Someone
Somehow
Sometime
Somewhat
Somewhere
Always two words
A lot – never, ever alot!
All right – not alright.
Any more – well at least it is in UK English. Americans and Australians use anymore as in “I can’t do this anymore” (so I’m going to do something else). They use any more to mean more than as in “I can’t eat any more than three cup cakes in one go.” (Well, OK make that four).
Sources:
Penguin Concise Dictionary
Penguin ‘Usage and Abusage
The Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors
TweetAcronyms, bacronyms and the wisdom of Humpty Dumpty | Contractions don’t have to be painful
August 7th, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Great post! I think ‘on to’ should always be two words. ‘Onto’ is a stumpy, ugly word and it should never be used.
In fact, George Orwell “wrote of his ‘archaic horror’ at seeing ‘on’ and ‘to’ printed as a single word.” Too true.
Tell me something though. Why is there a picture of a tin shed in the middle of your post?
August 7th, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Thank you Missy Turner! I still like onto. Onto. Onto. Onto. There you go! And by ‘tin shed’ I’m assuming you mean the magnificent, gleaming palace :)
September 27th, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Really good guidance on one word or two. As I made my way down the list I felt sure that you would cover ‘thankyou’ or ‘thank you’. Can ‘anybody’ help?
confused East Sussex
September 27th, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Well thank you for that question, Alice! Or to put it another way, a great big thankyou for asking.
Basically you would you thank you when you are thanking someone for something they have done. Thankyou is a noun/adjective as in a thankyou letter or ‘a big thankyou to everyone involved.’
Hope that helps!
There’s more information on this site http://tinyurl.com/ybabo25