One Word or Two? Common Confused Pairs
One Word or Two
Rulebase Summary
Many common words have both a one-word form and a two-word form with different meanings. The one-word form is typically an adverb or adjective, while the two-word form has each word serving its own grammatical function. The correct choice depends on the part of speech, definition, and context. Some forms are always wrong — for example, 'alot' and 'alright' are never correct. When a preposition follows, the two-word form is usually required.
Examples
A. I see him everyday at the office.
A. I see him every day at the office.
'Every day' = each individual day (two words). 'Everyday' = ordinary/routine (adjective before a noun).
A. She said it was alright to proceed.
A. She said it was all right to proceed.
'Alright' is never correct. Always use 'all right.'
A. I have not seen him for awhile.
A. I have not seen him for a while.
After a preposition ('for'), always use two words: 'a while.'
Transcript Notes
The general principle: the one-word form is usually an adverb or adjective modifying the sentence as a whole. The two-word form usually has each word serving its own grammatical function — an adjective modifying a noun, or a pronoun with a separate modifier. When in doubt, ask: can I separate the words and have each one work independently in the sentence? If yes, use two words.
Style Guide References (17)
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