Word Confusion: Every Way versus Everyway

Posted September 4, 2017 by Kathy Davie in Author Resources, Self-Editing, Word Confusions

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There are two instances in which every way is accepted: in every way or every which way. Otherwise, stick to everyway.

Curious About Other Everys?

If you’re curious about other every closed compound words, you may want to check out “Every Body versus Everybody“, “Every Day versus Everyday“, “Every Man versus Everyman“, “Every One versus Everyone“, “Every Thing versus Everything“, “Every Place versus Everyplace“, and “Every Where versus Everywhere“.

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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.

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In Every Way	Everyway
Fork in the Road by J_CMac is under the CC BY 2.0 license, via Flickr. — Every way requires a decision.	World Class Traffic Jam by b k is under the CC BY-SA 2.0 license, via Flickr. — Vehicle and people are jammed up everyway!
Part of Grammar:
Adverbial Phrase consisting of a Determiner + Adverb	Closed Compound Word Adverb
Always use in with every way In all ways *Unless which* is inserted** [U.S. English; informal] In every direction	In every way In every direction, manner, or respect
Examples:
The new computer is superior to all the others in every way. The kids ran off every which way. Tamara was his equal in every way. Forgetting to put the blender lid back on, meant the smoothie’s ingredients went every which way on the kitchen walls, floor, and ceiling. These two dresses are identical in every way, except for the price tag. The rioters bashed the police every which way.	They tried everyway to find the information. “Then he is taller, but lighter — has more colour — is so much younger — and everyway so different, I wonder you think so” (Cooper). “The vessels possessed by the Northmen were everyway adapted for an ocean voyage” (De Costa). War is a pestilence, psychologically, economically, socially, everyway.
History of the Word:
	It was first recorded in 1560–70.

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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.

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