Daily Adventures in Everyday Language

Everyday vs. Every Day

Understanding the difference between “everyday” and “every day” can be tricky, but with some simple rules, you can get it right!

History

The word “everyday” has been part of the English language for a long time. It is used to talk about something common or usual. Over time, people also started using the two words separately as “every day” to mean “each day.”

How to Use Them

Everyday

“Everyday” is an adjective. It means ordinary or usual. You use it when describing something that is common or normal.

• This is my everyday shirt.
• Brushing your teeth is an everyday habit.
• I wore my everyday shoes.
• Cooking is an everyday activity in our house.
• We have an everyday routine at school.

Every Day

“Every day” means each day. It is an adverbial phrase and tells us more about time.

• I go to school every day.
• He runs in the park every day.
• We have lunch at noon every day.
• She reads a book every day.
• The sun rises every day.

Trick to Remember the Difference

The best trick to remember is this: If you can replace “everyday” or “every day” with “each day” and the sentence still makes sense, use “every day.” If not, use “everyday.”

Summary

Use “everyday” when talking about something usual or common. Use “every day” when talking about something that happens each day. With practice, knowing when to use which term becomes second nature!