One word or two
Every day vs. Everyday
Every day (two words) means each day: I walk every day. Everyday (one word) is an adjective meaning ordinary or normal: everyday shoes. If each day fits, use two words.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| every day | phrase | each day; on all days, used to say how often something happens |
| everyday | adjective | ordinary, normal, or used as part of daily life |
Every day
phrase: each day; on all days, used to say how often something happens
- Carlos practices the piano every day after school.
- Every day this week, the bus has been late.
Everyday
adjective: ordinary, normal, or used as part of daily life
- These are my everyday dishes, not the good ones.
- Stress is part of everyday life for many nurses.
How to remember the difference
Swap in each day. If the sentence still works, write every day as two words. If it doesn't, you need the one-word adjective everyday.
Good to know
Everyday almost always sits right before a noun (everyday clothes, everyday English). Every day can move around the sentence: at the start, at the end, or after the verb.
Spot the mistake
I check my email
everydayevery day before breakfast.Correct: I check my email every day before breakfast.
These boots are fine for
every dayeveryday wear.Correct: These boots are fine for everyday wear.
Check yourself
Pick the word that fits each sentence.
1. Drink plenty of water to stay healthy.
Answer: every day. You could say each day here, so it is two words: every day.
2. Learning to budget is an important skill.
Answer: everyday. The word describes the noun skill as ordinary and daily, so the one-word adjective fits.