Common Grammar Mistakes: Everyday vs. Every day

One common mistake that we often come across is the confusion between the words 'everyday' and 'every day'. These two phrases may sound similar, but they have different meanings and usage. Let's explore the difference and learn how to use them correctly.

'Everyday' as an adjective

The word 'everyday' is an adjective that describes something as ordinary, routine, or commonplace. It is used to talk about things that are part of our daily lives. For example:

• I wear my everyday clothes to work.
• This book offers everyday tips for better cooking.
• He is an everyday customer at the local coffee shop.

'Every day' as an adverb

The phrase 'every day' consists of the word 'every' and the noun 'day' used together. It is used to refer to something that happens regularly or with frequency. For example:

• I go for a walk every day.
• She practices playing the piano every day.
• They have been meeting for lunch every day this week.

It's important to remember that 'everyday' is an adjective, while 'every day' is an adverbial phrase. This difference in usage determines whether you should use them as one word or two separate words.

However, it's also worth noting that the one-word form 'everyday' is becoming increasingly accepted in informal communication, such as emails or casual writing. But in formal writing or when you want to be more precise, it is better to use 'every day' as two separate words.

Don't worry if you find it challenging to remember which one to use! That's where a grammar checker tool like Linguix can help. It highlights such errors and provides suggestions to improve your writing.