✅ Every time
Correct. Always two words.
❌ Everytime
Incorrect. Not a standard word.
English compound words can be incredibly tricky. We combine “any” and “time” to make anytime, and “some” and “time” to make sometime. It is only natural to assume that everytime follows the same rule. However, logic does not always apply here. The quick answer is simple: every time should always be written as two separate words. Whether you are writing a formal essay, a business email, or a casual blog post, the one-word version is considered a spelling error.
Let’s break down exactly why this confusion happens, how to use the phrase correctly, and the simple trick to ensure you never make this mistake again.
Why “Every Time” is the Only Correct Option
In standard English grammar, every time functions as an adverbial phrase. It means “on each occasion” or “without exception.” The word every is an adjective that modifies the noun time.
Think of it like these similar phrases where the words remain separate:
- Every day (when referring to “each day”)
- Every one (when emphasizing each individual)
- Every single time
Since you wouldn’t write “everysingletime,” you shouldn’t write everytime either. The space between the words is essential because it maintains the grammatical structure of an adjective modifying a noun.
Examples of Correct Usage
- “I get nervous every time I speak in public.”
- “Every time the phone rings, the dog barks.”
- “He wears the same tie every time we have a meeting.”
The “Everytime” Trap: Why Do We See It?
If everytime is wrong, why does it look so right? You might see it in text messages, social media captions, or casual forums. This is largely due to the evolution of other compound words.
We are used to seeing words like everywhere, everyone, and everything. These are indefinite pronouns or adverbs that have successfully merged into single words. Our brains naturally want to apply that pattern to time.
The Simple “Each” Substitution Trick
If you are typing fast and suddenly doubt yourself, there is a fail-safe method to check your spelling. Since every time means “on every occasion,” you can usually swap it with the phrase “each time”.
Try this mental test:
Test Sentence
“I lose my keys _____ I leave the house.”
Can you say: “I lose my keys each time I leave the house?”
You can never write “eachtime” as one word. Remembering this will help you keep the space in every time.
Common Confusions: Everyday vs. Every Time
Writers often get confused because of the word everyday. Unlike everytime (which doesn’t exist), everyday actually is a real word, but it is an adjective meaning “common” or “daily” (e.g., “these are my everyday shoes”).
Here is a quick comparison to help you visualize the difference in structure:
| Phrase | Status | Correct Usage Example |
|---|---|---|
| Every time | ✅ Correct | “She wins every time we play.” |
| Everytime | ❌ Incorrect | (Does not exist in dictionaries) |
| Any time | ✅ Correct | “Call me any time you need help.” |
| Anytime | ✅ Correct | “You can come over anytime.” (Adverb) |
Notice that while anytime and everyday have become accepted single words for specific grammatical functions, everytime has not made that transition in standard English dictionaries like Oxford or Merriam-Webster.
Final Checklist for Your Writing
Correcting this mistake is one of the easiest wins for improving the professionalism of your writing. It shows attention to detail. Before you hit publish or send, scan your text for the red squiggly line under everytime—most spellcheckers will catch it.
