One Word or Two? Already, Alright, Every Day and More
Quick Answer
Some words change meaning when you join them. Already means “before now”, but all ready means “completely prepared”. Everyday means “ordinary”, but every day means “each day”.
✓ I have already eaten. ✓ We are all ready to go.
Learn Them One by One
One small space can change what you mean. Take one pair at a time: read the quick test, look at the examples, then check the most common mistake.
Step 1: A Lot, Allot or Alot?
A lot (two words) means a big number or very much. Allot (one word, two Ls) is a verb that means to give a share. Alot is not a real word — it is just a common spelling mistake.
Examples:
- My son eats a lot of pasta. (A big amount.)
- Please allot one hour for the meeting. (Give one hour to it.)
- I miss my family a lot. (Very much.)
Common mistake
Writing “alot” as one word
✗ I eat alot of rice.
✓ I eat a lot of rice. (Two words, with a space.)
How to remember: Before you write the word, stop for one second and ask, “Am I talking about an amount, or an action?” If it is an amount (very much, many, a big number) → a lot (two words). If it is an action (giving a share) → allot (two Ls). Alot is never the answer.
Step 2: Already or All Ready?
Already (one word) is about time — something happened before now: “I have already eaten.” All ready (two words) means completely prepared: “We are all ready to go.”
Examples:
- I have already finished my homework. (It happened before now.)
- The team is all ready for the match. (Everyone is prepared.)
- She has already seen this film. (Before now.)
Common mistake
✗ “We are already for the party.” (about being prepared — needs two words)
✓ “We are all ready for the party.”
How to remember: take out all. If “ready” alone still makes sense, write two words. If not, write already.
Step 3: Alright or All Right?
All right (two words) is the standard form — safe in every situation. Alright (one word) is informal: fine in texts and chat, but many teachers and editors do not accept it. In exams and formal writing, always choose all right.
Examples:
- “Are you all right?” she asked. (Standard — correct everywhere.)
- “Don’t worry, I’m alright 👍” (Informal — fine in a text message.)
- My answers were all right. (Can also mean: every answer was correct.)
Common mistake
✗ Using alright in a job application: “I am alright with weekend shifts.”
✓ “I am all right with weekend shifts.” (formal reader → two words)
How to remember: picture your reader. Teacher or boss → all right. Best friend on WhatsApp → alright is fine.
Step 4: Altogether or All Together?
Altogether (one word) means completely or in total: “That’s altogether different.” All together (two words) means everyone or everything in one place or at the same time: “Sing it all together!”
Examples:
- The meal cost £80 altogether. (In total.)
- The family was all together at Christmas. (Everyone in one place.)
- That is an altogether different problem. (Completely different.)
Common mistake
✗ “We sang the song altogether.” (you mean everyone sang at once)
✓ “We sang the song all together.”
How to remember: try to split the words: “all (of us) together” works → two words. If you cannot split it, write altogether.
Step 5: Everyday or Every Day?
Everyday (one word) is a describing word. It means “normal” or “ordinary.” It goes before a noun: everyday clothes.
Every day (two words) means “each day.” It tells you when or how often: I walk every day.
Examples:
- She changed out of her everyday clothes for the party.
- He drinks coffee every day.
- Cooking is an everyday activity for most families.
Common mistake
Using “everyday” when you mean “each day”
✗ I go to the gym everyday.
✓ I go to the gym every day.
How to remember: Ask yourself — can I replace it with “each day”? If yes, use two words. If no, use one word. That one trick works every time.
Step 6: Awhile or a While?
Awhile (one word) means “for a short time.” Use it after a verb. A while (two words) means “a period of time.” Use it after words like for, in, or after.
✓ Stay awhile. (= Stay for a short time.)
✓ Stay for a while. (= Stay for a period of time.)
Examples:
- She rested awhile before she left.
- We talked for a while after dinner.
- Please wait awhile.
Common mistake
✗ Let’s rest for awhile.
✓ Let’s rest for a while.
How to remember: Before you write, ask yourself: “Is there a word like for, in, or after before it?” If yes → two words. If no → one word. That is all you need to check.
Step 7: A Part or Apart?
Apart (one word) means separated or away from each other. A part (two words) means a piece or a member of something bigger.
✓ She is a part of the team. (= a member)
✗ She is apart of the team.
Examples:
- They live apart from each other. (= separately)
- She is a part of our family. (= a member)
- The two towns are 20 miles apart. (= away from each other)
Common mistake
✗ She is apart of the team.
✓ She is a part of the team.
How to remember: If you see “of” right after — like “a part of the team” — you almost always need two words. The phrase “apart of” is almost never correct in English.
Step 8: In Between or Between?
Between is a preposition — use it to show position or connection. In between (two words) means “in the middle.” In-between (with a hyphen) describes something in the middle. Inbetween is not a real word — do not use it.
The shop is between the bank and the bakery. She wore an in-between colour — not dark and not light.
Examples:
- The ball rolled between the two chairs.
- Choose between the red one and the blue one.
- There is a path between the houses.
Common mistake
Writing “inbetween” as one word
✗ The shop is inbetween the bank and the bakery.
✓ The shop is between the bank and the bakery.
How to remember: Ask yourself — is this word describing a noun? If yes, add a hyphen (an in-between moment). If not, write two separate words (I rested in between) or just use between.
Step 9: Photo Shoot or Photoshoot?
Both photo shoot (two words) and photoshoot (one word) are used in English. The standard spelling is photo shoot — this is what dictionaries and style guides prefer.
Examples:
- The model had a photo shoot for a fashion magazine. (Formal writing — two words.)
- Check out my photoshoot pictures! (Casual social media — one word.)
- The photo shoot took three hours. (Standard spelling — two words.)
Common mistake
✗ She had a photo-shoot yesterday.
✓ She had a photo shoot yesterday.
How to remember: Never use a hyphen — it is photo shoot (two separate words) or photoshoot (one word joined together). And the word is “shoot” (like shooting a camera), not “shot.” A photo shoot is the whole session. A “photo shot” is not a real English phrase.
Step 10: Anyway or Anyways?
Anyway (no S) is the correct word in writing and standard speech. Anyways (with S) is informal — fine in chat with friends, but avoid it in school work, emails, and reports.
“It was raining, but we went out anyway.” ✅ — “It was raining, but we went out anyways.” (informal only)
Examples:
- The shop was closed, but I tried the door anyway. (meaning: even so / regardless)
- Anyway, let’s talk about something more fun. (meaning: changing the topic)
- I don’t like coffee, but I drink it anyway in the morning. (meaning: in any case)
Common mistake
✗ In her email: “Anyways, I will see you on Monday.”
✓ In her email: “Anyway, I will see you on Monday.”
How to remember: Think of writing as a job interview. You would not wear a t-shirt and shorts to a job interview, even though they are comfortable. In the same way, save anyways for relaxed time with friends. Use anyway when you want to look polished.
Step 11: Every Time or Everytime?
The correct form is every time (two words). The word “everytime” does not exist in English.
✓ I smile every time I see her.
✗ I smile everytime I see her.
Examples:
- She checks her phone every time it buzzes.
- Every time we visit, they make us tea.
- He forgets his keys every time he leaves.
Common mistake
✗ Everytime I call, nobody answers.
✓ Every time I call, nobody answers.
How to remember: Try replacing “every time” with “each time.” If “each time” works in the sentence, you need two words. You would never write “eachtime,” right? Same idea.
Test Yourself: One Word or Two?
Choose an answer to see your feedback immediately. Your first answer counts towards your score.
1. I love pizza _______!
2. Hurry up! The taxi has _______ arrived.
3. In a job application: “I am _______ with working weekends.”
4. The bill came to £80 _______.
5. She wears her _______ clothes to work.
6. She waited for _______ before calling back.
7. She is _______ of the school football team.
8. The park is _______ the school and the library.
9. Which spelling does the Merriam-Webster dictionary use?
10. In a school essay: “_______, the writer’s main point is clear.”
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You can now hear the difference one space makes. Next, look at words that British and American writers spell in different ways.
Next lesson: British and American Spelling: Cancelled or Canceled?
I’m Khamis Maiouf. I’m studying Health and Social Care and have completed Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Level 3 Hairdressing. I have taught ESOL in my community and helped students with GCSE English. I run English Teacher Site to help people learn and practise English.