Any more
(Two Words)
Refers to quantity.
Means: “Additional” or “extra amount.”
“Do you want any more tea?”
English is notorious for mashing words together and changing their meaning, and the battle between anymore and any more is a classic example. While they sound exactly the same in conversation, writing them incorrectly can completely confuse your reader. Are you talking about time passing, or are you asking for additional items? That is the core difference you need to master.
The distinction is actually quite logical once you see the pattern. In modern standard English, particularly in North America, keeping these two separate is essential for clear communication. If you treat them as interchangeable, you risk making your writing look unprofessional.
When to Use “Anymore” (One Word)
You should write anymore as a single word when you are functioning as an adverb. This usage always relates to time and duration. It is a synonym for phrases like “any longer” or “at present.”
We almost always use this version in negative sentences or questions. It indicates that something used to be true in the past, but it has stopped happening.
Context: Quitting Habits
If you stop doing an action, you use the one-word form.
✅ “I don’t eat sugar anymore.”
Context: Relocation
When a location or status changes over time.
✅ “They don’t work here anymore.”
When to Use “Any more” (Two Words)
The two-word phrase any more is a determiner phrase. Here, “any” is modifying “more.” This usage has nothing to do with time; it is strictly about quantities and amounts.
When you use the two-word version, you are usually talking about physical objects, food, money, or supplies. You are asking if there is an additional amount remaining.
- ✅ “Are there any more cookies in the jar?” (Asking about the amount of cookies).
- ✅ “I cannot spend any more money today.” (Referring to the quantity of cash).
- ✅ “We don’t need any more trouble.”
The “Some More” Trick
If you are unsure which one to use, try swapping the phrase with “some more.”
“I don’t live here some more.” -> Sounds weird? -> Use Anymore.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Seeing these examples next to each other highlights how a simple space changes the definition of the sentence. Notice how the focus shifts from time to physical objects.
| Sentence | Meaning | Correct Usage? |
|---|---|---|
| I don’t want to talk anymore. | I want to stop talking now (Time). | ✅ Yes |
| I don’t want to talk any more. | I don’t want additional talking (Amount). | ✅ Yes |
| She doesn’t buy shoes anymore. | She has quit buying shoes forever. | ✅ Yes |
| She doesn’t buy any more shoes. | She buys shoes, but not additional ones right now. | ✅ Yes |
A Note on British vs. American English
While the distinction above is standard in American English, British English has traditionally been a bit more resistant to the one-word “anymore.” However, in recent decades, the one-word form has become widely accepted in the UK for the temporal sense (“not anymore”).
If you are writing for a very strictly formal British publication, you might see “any more” used for both meanings, but differentiating them is generally preferred everywhere today for clarity.
Would you like me to create a quick quiz to test your readers on other confusing compound words like “everyday” vs “every day”?
