Anymore vs. Any More: Clearing Up the Confusion for English Learners - ESLBUZZ (2024)

Are you confused about when to use “anymore” or “any more” in your writing? They might sound very similar, but they have different meanings and uses. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between “anymore” and “any more” and provide you with plenty of examples to help you understand when to use each one correctly.

We’ll cover the different contexts in which you would use “anymore” and “any more,” including affirmative statements, negative statements, questions, and conditional clauses. We’ll also provide you with a handy comparison table to help you understand the differences between these two terms more clearly. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of when to use “anymore” and “any more” and be able to use them correctly in your writing.

Anymore vs. Any More: Which One Should You Use?

Anymore vs. Any More: The Basics

Definition of Anymore

The word “anymore” is an adverb that means “any longer” or “nowadays.” It is used to indicate a change in a situation or state of being. For example, “I don’t go to the gym anymore” means that the speaker used to go to the gym but no longer does.

Here are some examples of “anymore” in sentences:

• I don’t eat meat anymore.
• He doesn’t call me anymore.
• We don’t watch TV anymore.

Definition of Any More

The phrase “any more” is used to refer to an additional amount of something. It is often used in questions or negative statements. For example, “Do you have any more cookies?” means that the speaker wants to know if there are any additional cookies available.

Here are some examples of “any more” in sentences:

• I don’t want any more coffee.
• We don’t have any more milk.
• Do you have any more questions?

Grammatical Usage

When to Use Anymore

Anymore is an adverb that is used to indicate that something that was previously true is no longer true. It is often used in negative sentences or questions.

Examples:

• I don’t eat meat anymore.
• Do you play tennis anymore?
• She doesn’t come to the office anymore.

When to Use Any More

Any more can be used as a determiner or an adverb. As a determiner, it is used to indicate an additional amount of something. As an adverb, it is used to indicate that something will not happen again or that something is no longer true.

Examples:

• Do you have any more cookies?
• I can’t take any more of this noise.
• I don’t want to see him any more.

It is important to note that any more is often used in negative sentences or questions.

Here’s a table that summarizes the differences between anymore and any more:

It is important to note that “anymore” is more commonly used in American English, while “any more” is more commonly used in British English. However, both are correct and can be used interchangeably depending on the context and the speaker’s preference.

In conclusion, the difference between anymore and any more lies in their grammatical usage. Anymore is used to indicate that something that was previously true is no longer true, while any more is used to indicate an additional amount of something or that something will not happen again. It is important to use these words correctly to avoid confusion in your writing.

Examples in Sentences

Anymore in Context

Anymore is an adverb that means “any longer” or “nowadays.” It is used in negative sentences and questions to indicate a change in a situation. Here are some examples:

• I don’t see him anymore.
• She doesn’t like to eat meat anymore.
• Nobody uses walking excavators anymore.
• Do you play video games anymore?

In some dialects, anymore is also used in positive sentences to mean “nowadays.” For example:

• I work from home anymore.

Any More in Context

Any more is a phrase that means “an additional amount of something.” It is used in affirmative sentences, questions, and negative sentences to describe the quantity of something. Here are some examples:

• Can I have any more cake?
• Do you have any more books to read?
• I don’t want to hear any more complaints.
• Is there any more coffee left?

It is important to note that any more is only used in questions and negative statements describing the quantity of something. The two-word spelling is near universal when this meaning is implied. For instance:

• You can’t play basketball any more than I can fly an airplane.

In conclusion, understanding the differences between anymore and any more can help you use them correctly in your writing. Remember that anymore is used in negative sentences and questions, while any more is used in affirmative sentences, questions, and negative sentences describing quantity.

In the next section, we will explore some common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid when using “anymore” and “any more.”

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Misuse of Anymore

One common mistake that people make is using “anymore” in situations where “any more” should be used. “Anymore” is an adverb that means “any longer” or “to any further extent.” It is used to describe a change in a situation or behavior. For example, “I don’t eat meat anymore.” This means that the speaker used to eat meat, but they have stopped doing so.

However, “anymore” should not be used to describe quantities. This is where people often make mistakes. For instance, it is incorrect to say, “I don’t have any apples anymore.” Instead, you should say, “I don’t have any more apples.” The word “anymore” is not appropriate in this context because it is referring to a quantity of apples, not a change in behavior.

Misuse of Any More

Another common mistake is using “any more” in situations where “anymore” should be used. “Any more” is a determiner used to refer to quantities. For example, “I don’t want any more cake.” This means that the speaker has had enough cake and does not want any additional quantity.

However, “any more” should not be used to describe a change in a situation or behavior. For instance, it is incorrect to say, “I don’t eat meat any more.” Instead, you should say, “I don’t eat meat anymore.” The phrase “any more” is not appropriate in this context because it is referring to a change in behavior, not a quantity.

To summarize, “anymore” is used to describe a change in a situation or behavior, while “any more” is used to refer to quantities. It is important to use these words correctly to avoid confusion and ensure that your writing is clear and concise.

Here is a table summarizing the differences between “anymore” and “any more”:

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s important to understand the differences between “anymore” and “any more” to ensure that your writing is clear and grammatically correct.

To recap, “anymore” is a single word that is used as an adverb to indicate that something is no longer the case. On the other hand, “any more” is a two-word phrase that is used to refer to additional amounts of something.

When deciding which to use, consider the context of your sentence. If you’re talking about something that is no longer the case, use “anymore.” For example, “I don’t eat meat anymore.” If you’re referring to additional amounts of something, use “any more.” For example, “Do you need any more coffee?”

“Any more” is often used in clauses with “if” and in sentences with negative words like “hardly,” “never,” and “scarcely.”

To help you remember the difference, keep in mind that “any more” has more words in it than “anymore.”

Here’s a quick summary of the key differences between “anymore” and “any more”:

By understanding these differences, you can improve your writing and avoid common grammar mistakes. So next time you’re unsure whether to use “anymore” or “any more,” refer back to this article for guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between any more and anymore?

Anymore and any more are two words that are often confused with each other. However, they have different meanings and uses. Anymore is an adverb that means “any longer” or “to any further extent”. For example, “I don’t eat meat anymore.” Any more, on the other hand, is a determiner that means “additional” or “more of something”. For example, “Do you want any more cake?”

Is it anymore questions or any more questions?

The correct phrase is “any more questions”. Any more is used to indicate that there are additional questions that someone may have. For example, “Do you have any more questions about the project?”

Is anymore grammatically correct?

Yes, anymore is a correct and commonly used adverb in English grammar. It is used to indicate that something is no longer the case or that it is not happening anymore. For example, “I don’t live in the city anymore.”

What does ‘any more for anymore’ mean?

“Any more for anymore” is a phrase that means “an equal exchange”. It is commonly used in sports when teams exchange players. For example, “The two teams traded players, any more for anymore.”

Can you use ‘any more’ at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, you can use “any more” at the beginning of a sentence. For example, “Any more delays and we will miss our flight.”

In summary, it is important to understand the differences between anymore and any more in order to use them correctly in your writing. Remember that anymore is an adverb that means “any longer” or “to any further extent”, while any more is a determiner that means “additional” or “more of something”.