Two Words or One? The Complete Guide to Any More vs Anymore

Mastering One of English's Most Confusing Word Pairs

Written by Grammar Expert | Original Content

Have you ever paused while writing, wondering whether to write "any more" as two words or "anymore" as one? You're not alone. This common confusion trips up even experienced writers. The good news is that once you understand the simple difference between these two forms, you'll never hesitate again. Let's explore this tricky word pair and learn when to use each one.

The Basic Difference Explained

The key to understanding "any more" versus "anymore" lies in recognizing their different meanings and functions. Though they sound identical when spoken, they serve completely different purposes in writing.

Form	Meaning	Usage
Any more (two words)	Additional quantity or amount	Used with nouns to mean "additional" or "extra"
Anymore (one word)	At the present time; nowadays	Used as an adverb meaning "now" or "currently"

Understanding "Any More" (Two Words)

When written as two words, "any more" refers to additional quantities or amounts of something. It's used when you're talking about whether you want, need, or have extra portions of something tangible or measurable.

Clear Examples of "Any More" (Two Words):

• "Would you like any more coffee?" (additional coffee)
• "I don't need any more help with this project." (additional help)
• "Do we have any more time to finish?" (additional time)
• "She couldn't eat any more cake." (additional cake)
• "The store doesn't sell any more of those books." (additional books)

💡 Memory Trick: If you can substitute "any more" with "any additional" or "any extra," then you need two words. For example: "Do you want any additional coffee?" = "Do you want any more coffee?"

Understanding "Anymore" (One Word)

When written as one word, "anymore" is an adverb that means "at the present time," "nowadays," or "currently." It's typically used in negative sentences or questions to indicate that something that was true in the past is no longer true now.

Clear Examples of "Anymore" (One Word):

• "I don't live there anymore." (I used to live there, but not now)
• "She doesn't call me anymore." (She used to call, but not currently)
• "Do you play tennis anymore?" (Do you still play tennis?)
• "We can't afford to eat out anymore." (We used to, but not now)
• "Nobody writes letters anymore." (People used to, but not nowadays)

💡 Memory Trick: If you can substitute "anymore" with "nowadays," "currently," or "at present," then you need one word. For example: "I don't live there nowadays" = "I don't live there anymore."

Common Patterns and Usage

Negative Sentences

"Anymore" (one word) is most commonly used in negative sentences to show that something has changed from the past to the present.

Negative Sentence Examples:

• "I don't watch TV anymore." (I used to watch, but not now)
• "They don't visit us anymore." (They used to visit, but not currently)
• "The old restaurant isn't open anymore." (It used to be open, but not now)

Questions

In questions, "anymore" (one word) asks whether something that happened in the past still happens now.

Question Examples:

• "Do you work there anymore?" (Do you still work there?)
• "Does she sing anymore?" (Does she still sing?)
• "Are they friends anymore?" (Are they still friends?)

Quantity and Amount

When discussing quantities, amounts, or additional items, always use "any more" (two words).

Quantity Examples:

• "I can't carry any more bags." (additional bags)
• "We don't have any more money." (additional money)
• "Is there any more room in the car?" (additional space)

Regional Differences

It's worth noting that there are some regional differences in how these terms are used. In some parts of the United States, particularly in certain dialects, "anymore" (one word) is sometimes used in positive statements to mean "nowadays" or "these days."

Regional Usage Examples:

• Standard: "People don't write letters anymore."
• Regional: "People use email anymore." (meaning "nowadays")

Note: The regional positive use is not considered standard in formal writing.

Tricky Situations and How to Handle Them

When Both Could Seem Correct

Sometimes sentences can be confusing because both forms might seem to make sense. In these cases, think carefully about what you're really trying to say.

Potentially Confusing Examples:

• "I don't want any more problems." (additional problems) ✓
• "I don't have problems anymore." (I used to have problems, but not now) ✓

• "We can't take any more students." (additional students) ✓
• "We don't accept students anymore." (We used to accept them, but not now) ✓

Context Clues

Pay attention to the context of your sentence. If you're talking about quantities, amounts, or additional items, use two words. If you're talking about time and change, use one word.

Quick Decision Methods

• Substitution Test: Try replacing with "additional" (use two words) or "nowadays" (use one word).
• Quantity Check: If you're talking about amounts or numbers, use two words.
• Time Check: If you're comparing past and present, use one word.
• Negative Pattern: In negative sentences about change over time, use one word.
• Question Pattern: In questions about whether something still happens, use one word.

Practice Scenarios

Let's look at some common scenarios where you might need to choose between these two forms:

Scenario-Based Examples:

At a restaurant:
• "Would you like any more bread?" (additional bread)
• "We don't serve that dish anymore." (we used to, but not now)

At work:
• "I can't handle any more projects." (additional projects)
• "She doesn't work here anymore." (she used to, but not now)

With friends:
• "Do you have any more photos?" (additional photos)
• "Do you play guitar anymore?" (do you still play?)

Why This Distinction Matters

Getting "any more" and "anymore" right isn't just about following grammar rules—it's about clear communication. Using the wrong form can confuse your readers and sometimes completely change your intended meaning.

Consider these examples: "I don't want any more trouble" (no additional trouble) versus "I don't want trouble anymore" (I used to want trouble, but not now). The first makes perfect sense, while the second sounds odd because most people never wanted trouble in the first place.

Building Confidence

Like many aspects of English grammar, mastering "any more" versus "anymore" takes practice. Start paying attention to these words when you read. Notice how professional writers use them in different contexts. When you write, take a moment to think about whether you're discussing quantities or time-based changes.

Remember, even if you make a mistake, the context usually makes your meaning clear. But getting it right shows attention to detail and helps your writing appear more polished and professional.

🎯 Final Memory Device: Think of "any more" (two words) as "any + more" where "more" refers to additional amounts. Think of "anymore" (one word) as a single time-related concept meaning "at this time" or "nowadays."

Conclusion

The difference between "any more" and "anymore" is actually quite logical once you understand the pattern. Two words for quantities and amounts, one word for time and change. This simple rule will serve you well in all your writing, from casual emails to formal documents.

By mastering this distinction, you're not just avoiding a common error—you're demonstrating precision in your language use. This attention to detail reflects well on your communication skills and helps ensure your writing is both clear and professional.

This article is original content created for educational purposes and is free to use without copyright restrictions.