Any Time vs Anytime: Difference and Comparison

Words could be confusing at times owing to their meaning or a similar form that has the same meaning. Due to some rules and regulations, a word must be used according to its function to make complete sense.

The use of some words is considered old-fashioned, and some are considered up-to-date. But their use may be the correct one to deliver the message correctly.

Key Takeaways

1. “Any time” is a two-word phrase used to describe an unspecified point in time, while “anytime” is an adverb meaning “whenever” or “at any time”.
2. Use “any time” after a preposition, such as “at any time”, while “anytime” can be used without a preposition.
3. “Anytime” is more informal and used primarily in conversational English, while “any time” is appropriate for more formal writing.

Any Time vs Anytime

Any time refers to a specific point in time and is used in the context of scheduling or making appointments. Anytime is used to refer to an indefinite period and is used in the context of availability or permission. Any time is a cluster of words, while anytime is a single word.

Any Time is a noun phrase and must be used that way. It is equal in meaning to any time, its contracted form when used as an adverb clause.

It can be used as a noun clause, but it must be used with a preposition such as ‘at’ when we use it as an adverb clause. This form is used when the word ‘and’ is used to qualify the term time.

It can also be used as a subordinate clause, as “anytime you want to eat lasagna, use my restaurant.

Anytime is a contraction of two words, ‘any’ and ‘time’. It emerged as an accepted grammatical mistake and is used as an adverb. It means whenever. It is an informal word that can be used as an adverb only.

To understand its usage correctly, one can try replacing it with another adverb, and if it fits the context grammatically, then it can be used without any problem. For example, “We can party anytime because it is a holiday today”.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Any Time	Anytime
Definition	It is a noun clause.	It is an adverb.
Use as an adverb	It can be used as an adverb clause with the preposition ‘at’.	It can only be used as an adverb, not an adverb clause.
Formal usage	This form is used when the word and is acts as an adjective for the word ‘time’.	It cannot be used in a formal sense.
Other usages	This form is used when the word and acts as an adjective for the word ‘time’.	It can only be used as an adverb.
Example	I don’t have any time for the discussion.	I am available anytime.

What is Any Time?

Any time is a formal noun phrase used as ‘any amount of time’. Its usage is always grammatically correct. It can qualify a verb as an adverb clause when used with the preposition ‘at’.

This phrase is also used when the word ‘any’ is used as an adjective to ‘time’. Any time can’t be used as a modifier on its own. It can be used in place of ‘anytime’,, its contracted form.

Any time is a conventional and old form and is considered standard by many people. Its use gives the sense that something will happen soon, but the time is not specific.

It gives a probability of happening something that is not very strong. Any time is a phrase that is versatile in its usage and can be used without any grammatical issues.

Its various usage is illustrated here with examples: –

As a noun clause in an adverb clause: – You cannot disturb me anytime in the morning.

As a noun phrase: – ‘Any Time’ is an excellent time to start a new hobby.

When any is a modifier for time: – If you can spare any time for me, it would be awesome.

What is Anytime?

Anytime is a modifier that modifies an adverb. Although it has the same meaning as ‘Any Time’, it can only be used as an adverb. Anytime is a grammatical blunder that became popular by its frequent usage.

Everyone now accepts the word. It is considered an informal word, so if the context is formal two-word version must be considered.

Anytime can also be considered as a contraction of its two-word version. Its wide usage results from a phenomenon called casualism,, which means a word that becomes vogue by mistake.

Casualism such as these become a norm due to their wide acceptance in the vernacular. However, the use of ‘anytime’ is limited to that of an adverb and can confuse at times.

When you are unsure whether its usage is correct, it is good to replace it with the two-version at any time.

Another way to understand its correct use is to replace it with other equally compatible adverbs. If they fit the context, then you are good to go otherwise, you can always stick to its two-word version.

Here are a few examples to make the context clear: –

You can talk to me anytime.

Everyone can leave anytime; we must start the party.

Hurry up! They will be here anytime soon. (In this sentence, it has been used as an idiom.)

Main Differences Between Any Time and Anytime

1. Any time is used as a noun clause, whereas anytime is used as an adverb.
2. Anytime can be used in an informal sense, whereas any time is in a formal sense.
3. Any time is the grammatically accepted and correct form, whereas anytime is grammatically incorrect.
4. Anytime is a modifier, but it cannot act as a modifier on its own.
5. Any time can be used as a modifier when it is part of a modifying clause with ‘at’ preceding it, but anytime is used as a modifier without any preposition.

References

1. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=z_VmtjAU01YC&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=how+to+use+anytime+as+a+word+oxford&ots=6JdJbh0UD0&sig=goM4tmJv-JWQXucoagROxYxEAhU
2. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=J4i3zV4vnBAC&oi=fnd&pg=PR3&dq=how+to+use+any+time+as+a+word+oxford&ots=aGv7VMuIzg&sig=WRSJpfNTGxqBw3C9DLzmlD5KiZ8

Last Updated : 13 July, 2023