What is the Difference Between Anymore and Any more?

Any more function as determiner

What does any more mean?
When any more is used to mean an indefinite quantity of
something or even the smallest amount, it is functioning as a
determiner. For example,
• Do you want any more food?
• Is there any more pie left?
• I can’t eat any more food; I am completely stuffed.
• I don’t want any more trouble.
• Forcing people to wait until 67 to collect wouldn’t save
taxpayers any more money than the 30 percent cut to the
benefit at age 62 does. –The New York Times
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.
There are other contexts, too, where the words must be kept
separate. For instance,

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

airplane.
If the two words were together in the above example, the meaning
would change and the sentence would be confusing. It wouldn’t be
clear whether you are saying that you can no longer play
basketball or you are making a comparison between abilities.
Another example is when more modifies a
following adjective, any must be a separate word.
• It doesn’t get any more exciting than overtime in the
finals!
Anymore as an Adverb

Anymore function as adv

What does anymore mean? When anymore is used to mean to
any further extent; any longer, it is functioning as an adverb. For
example,
• I don’t go sailing anymore.
• There is nothing for me here—not anymore.
• The price of gasoline isn’t cheap anymore.
Anymore, as an adverb, should only find itself in negative
constructions.
You should not use it in an affirmative context to mean nowadays.
In certain parts of the United States, it is occasionally used this
way.
• The price of gasoline is outrageous anymore. [read: the
price of gasoline is outrageous nowadays.]
This use is certain to confuse your readers—even those in the
United States—and is widely rejected. You should avoid this use in
your writing.

Anymore vs. Any more: Helpful Distinctions

In American English and other forms of English outside the U.K.,
there is a useful distinction that separates any more vs. anymore.

Any more (two words) is reserved for the meaning even the
smallest amount. In other words, when used as a determiner, the
two-word spelling any more is used.
• I don’t want any more children.
Anymore (one word) is reserved for the meaning any longer. In
other words, when used as an adverb, the one-word
spelling anymore is used.
• You’re not a little kid anymore.
I, personally, find this distinction to be quite helpful, and most
American writers and publishing houses observe it.

In British English, it is still quite common to see any more (two

words) as an adverb in print. This is beginning to change,
however, as some British writers and publishing houses opt to
observe the distinction between the one-word and two-word
spellings.
Trick to Remember the Difference
Still not sure when to use anymore or any more? Here’s a helpful
mnemonic to remember the difference.

I don’t buy shoes anymore because I don’t need any more

shoes.
This is a great sentence that demonstrates the uses of anymore
and any more. When you are using the word to mean any longer,
think the one-word anymore.
When you are talking about numbers and quantities, think the two-
word spelling any more.
Summary
Is it any more or anymore? This depends on its function within the
sentence. In American English,

Any more is used as a determiner.

Anymore is used as an adverb.

Any more vs. Anymore

It is amazing that one little space in the English language can
mean so much-or can cause controversy amongst grammarians.
Let's take a closer look at the word anymore and the phrase any
more to see how a little space can cause major divisions!
There are three differing opinions on the words any
more and anymore. Some do not even recognize the spelling
"anymore" as correct-it is simply not a word.
Others recognize the two different spellings, but consider them to
be the same in meaning-whether you use any more or anymore,
both function as adverbs meaning "no longer.
1. Clarissa is not in my class any more/anymore.
2. I don't watch that show on television any more/anymore.
Finally, others recognize an important difference between the two,
which makes sense in usage.
Any more is a phrase that contains an adverb (any) and an
adjective (more).
1. I cannot find any more of the Legos on the floor.
2. Do you have any more rain boots? I need a new pair.
3. While it was delicious, I could not eat any more of the cake.
Anymore is an adverb meaning "no longer."
1. I do not take gymnastics anymore.
2. My little brother does not want to go to school anymore.
3. Mrs. Harrison doesn't teach at this school anymore.
While many recognize the distinction, not all sources do, so you do
need to carefully consider your audience when choosing how to
use these words. However, in a practical sense, the distinction
between any more as a phrase that means something entirely
different from the adverb anymore makes sense

Among \ between quiz

Our school is _____ the post office and the movie theater.

A: between
B: among
Jared disappeared _______ the crowd.

A: between
B: among

We shared the pie _____ the four of us.

A: between
B: among

4. I have to choose ______ taking French or Spanish next year.

A: between
B: among

5. Chelsea shared her birthday cake _____ the whole class.

A: between
B: among

You can relax here because you’re _____ friends.

A: between
B: among

If you had to choose _____ Disneyland and Disney World, which would you
choose?

A: between
B: among

Somewhere _____all those trees, there’s a pine tree.

A: between
B: among

I don’t think we have even $5 _____ the three of us.

A: between
B: among

There are only a few serious students _____ the kids at this school.

A: between
B: among

I had to sit _____ the two students I like the least.

A: between
B: among

____ strawberry and chocolate ice cream, which would you choose?

A: Between
B: Among

It rains a lot in Vancouver _____ October and May.

A: between
B: among

The clowns were doing handsprings _____ the crowd.

A: between
B: among

You have to choose _____ babysitting and going to the mall.

A: between
B: among
A: I love cherry pie I don’t like apple pie.
B: I love cherry pie, I don’t like apple pie
C: I love cherry pie, but I don’t like apple pie

A :Neither of the girls remembered her homework.

B: Neither of the girls remembered their homework.

A: Carlos has nearly annoyed every teacher he has had.

B: Carlos has annoyed nearly every teacher he has had.

The placement of modifiers like adjectives can change the meaning of the sentence.

May \ can quiz

1____ you say the alphabet backwards?

A: Can
B: May

2 Do you think you _____ make the game on Friday?

A: can
B: may

3 What part of the playground _____ we play in.

A: can
B: may
4 How much weight _____ you lift?

A: can
B: may

5 When _____ I go to Mandy's?

A: can
B: may

6 ____ I please have some ice cream?

A: Can
B: May
7 You _____ do it if you try.

A: can
B: may

8 _____ you get that essay finished in time?

A: Can
B: May

9 You _____ go on the field trip if your behavior is good.

A: can
B: may

10 When _____ we leave, Ms. Fraser?

A: can
B: may

11 How far _____ you jump in the broad jump?

A: can
B: may

12 You _____ turn over you papers and start the test.

A: can

B: may
13 _____ I go to the movies on Saturday?

A: Can
B: May

14 ____ Brittany strike out the next batter?

A: Can
B: May

15 Do you think I _____ run faster than she can?

A: can
B: may
?Could you please pass me that book over there
When he was young he could dance all night long .2

?can you speak Chinese .3

You might at least come with us and meet our new neighbour, don't you .4
?think

She can drive but she takes the bus to go to work .5

In that country citizens can now make suggestions openly, it is a new .6

.democracy

Nowadays, people may travel very easily all over Europe .7

?Could you please let me know your answer by the end of the week .8

! I don't know yet, but I might come with you after all .9

Children may bring their teddy bears to school .10

.They (can/might) might be away for the weekend but I'm not sure 1

.You (may/might) may leave now if you wish 2

?Could/May) could you open the window a bit, please) 3

.He (can/could) could be French, judging by his accent 4

?May/Can) can you play the piano) 5

.Listen, please. You (may not/might not) may not speak during this exam 6

!They (can't/may not) can't still be out 7

.You (couldn't/might not) couldn't smoke on the bus 8

.With luck, tomorrow (can/could) could be a sunny day 9

.You (can/might) might be right but I'm going back to check anyway 10

Anymore \ any more

This is a very distinctive example :

I don’t buy shoes anymore because I don’t need any more

shoes.

a-I don't buy shoes anymore = in any future time = adv of time,
thus it can't be separated.
b- I don't need any more shoes = any further amount and here acts
as determiner ( quantifier ) ‫أي محدد للكم لذا ليس ظرف لذا ممكن أن ينقسم‬

‫ ( كان محله ) ظرفا زمنيا ( لذا ل ينقسم‬a ) ‫في الحالة الولى‬

‫ ( ورد كمحدد ) أداة كم ( أي ليس ظرف لذا ممكن أن ينقسم‬b ) ‫في الحالة‬
!‫وكل من ل يدري ليته يدري فما أدراك أن اللغة فيها اختلف‬

• Always use between, not among if you want to talk about a position
within two specific points in time or on a scale:

The children were aged between 12 and 16.

X The children were aged among 12 and 16.

• Opt for between if you’re referring to any number of specific (i.e.

named) people, groups, or things:
 A treaty was drawn up between France, Germany, Italy, and Greece.
X A treaty was drawn up among France, Germany, Italy, and Greece.

Flights between London and Crete begin in early April.

X Flights among London and Crete begin in early April.

• Use among if the people or things can be regarded collectively (that is,
as a group or undifferentiated mass) rather than individually:

There was agreement among members that fees should not be raised.
X There was agreement between members that fees should not be raised.

The Petronas Towers are among the architectural wonders of the world.
X The Petronas Towers are between the architectural wonders of the world.

• Between is preferred when we talk about a relationship of difference,

no matter how many people or things are involved:

The difference between those results is not statistically significant.

X The difference among those results is not statistically significant.

Finally, let’s return to the questions that I posed at the outset. If you’ve absorbed
everything I’ve discussed, the answers should be a breeze:

1. Bill and Mark swam among the sunken ships.

2. Bill and Mark swam between the sunken ships.

Both of these sentences are correct English, but they have different meanings. In the
first example, as Bill and Mark were swimming, they were surrounded by several
sunken ships (sense 1 of among above); in the second case (sense 1 of between), they
had a sunken ship (or ships) to the right of them and another (or others) to the left, and
were swimming through the gap in the middle.

3. What’s the difference between soup, consommé, and broth?

4. What’s the difference among soup, consommé, and broth?

These questions have the same meaning, but it’s better to use between and not among
to talk about difference: we’re referring to a number of specified things rather than
talking in generalities.

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posts and comments do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of
Oxford University Press.