Revised as of
24 June 2023
Yes, the any way vs anyway vs anyways word confusion is confusing. Noting the differences between these words is only one of the ways in which a writer can self-edit his or her work as there is a distinct difference when using words singly as a phrase or coupling them as a compound word.
Any way you can give your work a leg up is a positive. Anyway, you should consider bookmarking this post for future reference.
Anyways, this particular confusion is not with anyway alone. A few of the other similar confusions include into vs in to“, “onto vs on to“, “awhile vs a while“, “downstairs vs down stairs“, and “however vs how ever“.
With some of these words, coupling them or using them singly provides a different meaning. With others, such as down stairs, it simply doesn’t exist. Yet.
Exploring Later . . .
Other any posts include “Any More versus Anymore“, “Any One versus Anyone“, and “Any Time versus Anytime“.
Word Confusions . . .
. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.
If you found this post on “Any Way vs Anyway vs Anyways” interesting, consider subscribing to KD Did It, if you’d like to track this post for future updates.
| Any Way | Anyway | Anyways |
|---|---|---|
Hunting and Lion Hunting Antelope are under the CC0 1.0 license, via VisualHunt. — Any way that gets the hunting done. |
Calatrava Bridge with Downtown Dallas 2, 31 January 2011, by skys the limit2 is under the CC BY 2.0 license, via VisualHunt. — With all those lights, it was inevitable that the stars would be lost anyway. |
My Friggin’ Crew by ✁☄ KAIRUUINZURO ✁☄ is under the CC BY 2.0 license, via VisualHunt. — Yep, these guys look like the type to say anyways . . . |
| Part of Grammar: | ||
| A paired Adjective + Noun | Compound word
Adverb |
Compound word
Adverb * * Adverbs cannot be plural |
| If the words in the can be substituted for any, the two-word phrase is called for
When any and way are side by side in a sentence, it indicates that alternate means or modes are acceptable
|
An inevitable conclusion regardless of the means of attempt
Despite something that has been stated before
|
Colloquial corruption of anyway
Considered nonstandard, it should be avoided altogether in formal writing and only used as dialog to depict an unlettered person. |
| Examples: | ||
| He’ll try to accomplish this any way he can.
We couldn’t get there any way. Finish the job any way you choose. I don’t know of any way to fix it. |
Anyway, he’ll try to accomplish this.
We couldn’t get there anyway. Nobody wanted Amelia to come, but she showed up anyway. The road got worse, but they kept going anyway. I didn’t expect her to say yes, but I asked her anyway. He’s far from perfect, but she loves him anyway. |
So, anyways, we all thought we’d go fishin’.
You wouldn’t understand all them long words anyways. She knew it was dangerous, but she did it anyways. |
| History of the Word: | ||
| The first known use was in the 13th century. | ||
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.
Resources for Any Way vs Anyway vs Anyways
“Anyway or Any Way?” English Plus.com. n.d. Web. n.d. <http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000283.htm>.
Apple Dictionary.com
Landis, Jacquelyn. “Anyway, Any Way, or Anyways?” Daily Writing Tips. 2009. Web. n.d. <http://www.dailywritingtips.com/anyway-any-way-or-anyways/>.
Merriam-Webster: anyway
“What is the difference between anyway and any way?” Answers.com. 2009. Web. n.d. <http://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_anyway_and_any_way>.
Pinterest Photo Credits
Choice of Three Lanes, Llanishen Far Hill, by Hill Farm, Jonathon Billinger is under the CC BY-SA 2.0 license, via Georgraph.uk.
