Key Difference

• “Everyday” (one word) is an adjective that describes something as ordinary or routine.
• “Every day” (two words) is an adverbial phrase meaning “each day” or “on a daily basis.”

Let’s break down each one to understand when to use them.

1. “Everyday” (Adjective)

Meaning: “Everyday” describes something that’s common, routine, or typical. It answers the question, “What kind of?” about a noun.

Examples:

• “These are my everyday shoes.” (Shoes you wear regularly)
• “Cooking dinner is an everyday task.” (Cooking is a routine task)

In these cases, “everyday” is modifying nouns (“shoes” and “task”), showing they’re ordinary or usual.

2. “Every day” (Adverbial Phrase)

Meaning: “Every day” means each day separately and is used to describe frequency or actions that happen daily.

Examples:

• “I walk my dog every day.” (I do this each day)
• “She practices piano every day to improve.” (She practices on a daily basis)

Here, “every day” emphasizes that the action is repeated daily.

Quick Test to Help You Decide

If you’re unsure which to use, try replacing “every day” with “each day.” If the sentence still makes sense, “every day” (two words) is correct.

Example:

• “I go for a jog every day.” -> “I go for a jog each day.” (Correct as two words!)

If “each day” doesn’t fit, then you likely need “everyday” as an adjective.

Example:

• “It’s an everyday activity.” -> “It’s an each day activity.” (Doesn’t fit, so use one word!)

Common Mistakes and Tips

• Incorrect: “I wear these shoes everyday.” (In this sentence, “every day” is correct, as it refers to the frequency, not describing the shoes.)
• Correct: “I wear these shoes every day.”
• Incorrect: “Going to the gym is an every day habit.” (Here, “everyday” should be used to describe the habit as routine or typical.)
• Correct: “Going to the gym is an everyday habit.”

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks with either “everyday” or “every day”:

1. Brushing your teeth should be an _______ habit.
2. I call my best friend _______ to check in.
3. That shop sells _______ items like notebooks and pens.
4. She exercises _______ to stay fit.

Answers:

1. everyday
2. every day
3. everyday
4. every day