"Everyday" and "Every day": grammar usage

Here are two frequently used--and misused--words: every and day.

The word every is an adjective. It modifies or adds to a noun or pronoun.

• She paid every bill with her online computer service. (Every tells how many bills.)
• They jog a mile every day. (Every tells how many days.)

The word everyday can also be an adjective and can modify a noun or pronoun.

• Putting on your shoes is an everyday experience. (Everyday tells what kind of experience.)
• The word "cool" is an everyday slang expression. (Everyday tells what kind of expression.)

Wrong: Drive your car everyday. (Something like this was once on a TV commercial.)
Correct: Drive your car every day. (This is correct grammar usage, even if not an environmentally sustainable recommendation!)

From now on, as a part of your everyday writing, I hope you can correctly use these two words every day!

Copyright 2009 by Thomas L. Kepler, all rights reserved