Everyday vs Every Day: Which One Do You Need?
One word is an adjective meaning ordinary. Two words mean each day.
Everyday clothes. She walks every day.
The test that settles it
Try putting single in the middle. If every single day works, use two words.
“I check it ___” → every single day works, so two words.
“___ language” → every single day language does not, so one word.
Everyday: ordinary
An adjective, and it must sit in front of a noun. It means commonplace rather than special.
These are everyday problems.
Everyday objects photographed closely.
Her everyday routine.
Swap in ordinary. If it works, one word.
Every day: each day
An adjective plus a noun, working as a time expression. It answers the question how often.
He runs every day.
The shop opens every day except Sunday.
Every day brings something new.
Swap in each day. If it works, two words.
Side by side
| Everyday | Every day |
|---|---|
| Adjective | Time expression |
| Means ordinary | Means each day |
| Sits before a noun | Usually at the end of a clause |
| Everyday use | Used every day |
The exception
Anyone / any one, sometime / some time, maybe / may be and everyday / every day all work this way: closed up it is one part of speech, spaced out it is two words doing separate jobs.
The single test works for most of them.
Where people get it wrong
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| I go there everyday. | I go there every day. | How often, so two words. |
| every day objects | everyday objects | Describing the objects. |
| an everyday occurrence | an everyday occurrence | Correct as it stands — the adjective before a noun. |
| Everyday I learn something. | Every day I learn something. | Each day. |
Practice — choose the right word, then check yourself.
- She practises ___.
- These are ___ concerns for parents.
- The bus runs ___.
- ___ items become art in his photographs.
- He calls his mother ___.
Show the answers
1. every day 2. everyday 3. every day 4. Everyday 5. every day
Frequently asked
Which mistake is more common?
Writing everyday when every day is meant. The one-word form is far rarer in practice than people assume.
Is everyday ever a noun?
Only in the fixed phrase the everyday, meaning ordinary life — and even that reads as slightly literary.
More words people confuse
