IS IT CORRECT? - 4 - everyday / every day

IS IT CORRECT?

EPISODE 4

 MISTAKE:
I speak English everyday.

CORRECTION:
I speak English every day.

You can "only" make this mistake in writing. In speaking, of course, you will not hear the difference. However, I decided to give it attention because it is a very common mistake that students and native users of English make.

When you want to use it as a time phrase (to indicate how often you do something), it has to be written as two words. It is best to put it at the end of a sentence (or a clause), but starting a sentence with it is fine, too.

Examples:

I  eat breakfast every day. (at the end of a sentence)

I try to exercise every day, but sometimes I’m too busy. (at the end of a clause)

Every day he wakes up at 7 a.m. (at the beginning of a sentence)

“Everyday” written together is an adjective and means “average”, “ordinary”, “typical”, “usual”. As an adjective it modifies a noun so in a sentence it needs to be put before the noun it modifies. 

Examples:

These are not my everyday shoes. I only wear them on special occasions.

Politicians often use words that are difficult to understand to everyday people.

Rain is almost an everyday occurrence in Seattle.

You can e-mail me at: ania@nylanguagecenter.com if you have any questions or suggestions.
Ania Necakov - Academic Coordinator NYLC Jackson Heights