02 May 2010

"Any time" versus "Anytime"

Any amount of time = any time.
Do you have any time to review this piece?
We spent hardly any time in Dallas.
He doesn't have any time for us now that he has a girlfriend.
Whenever, at any time = anytime.
Call me anytime.
Anytime this happens, let me know.
I can meet anytime on Friday.
The correct choice after the preposition at is always the two-word form. Or leave out the preposition and use the one-word form. (Leaving out the at seems to be an American habit.)
I can meet with you at any time. (Compare: I can meet with you anytime.)
Did you talk with him at any time? (Compare: Did you talk with him anytime?)
I am free at any time between 1 and 4 p.m. (Compare: I am free anytime between 1 and 4 p.m.)
An unedited version of this article is available at Legal Writing Prof Blog.

1 comment:

Glenn F | Impact said...

Daryl,

Another great post. I noticed you on CustomerThink and really enjoy the content here.

Thanks for thoughtful posting. :)

I participate in a Customer Service blog, too, at Impact Learning Systems in case you'd like to check out some of our research and thoughts (http://www.impactlearning.com/blog/)