Editor's Corner

Here’s something I don’t get too many questions about, but I see it misused often. When should you use everyday and when should you use every day? Hopefully this will clear things up and make it easier for you.

The word everyday is an adjective used to describe a noun. For example, “My brother wears his everyday clothes to work, but he wears his kilt to special occasions.” Some synonyms for everyday are “mundane,” “ordinary,” and “commonplace.”

Every day, as two separate words, is usually an adverbial phrase used to modify a verb. For example, “Every day, I spend at least 45 minutes walking my dogs.” When you are writing and you think you need to use two words, see if you can replace “every day” with “each day.” If you can use “each day” instead, then “every day” is what you are looking for.

Here are some additional examples:

• When I talk, I use everyday speech; when I write, I try to improve my grammar and follow the formal rules more closely.
• Bob feeds the birds every day. It’s part of his everyday routine.
• Every day, I get up, meditate, and fall asleep cross-legged with my back to the wall.

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

619-542-6773 | Ext: 766773

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