"Everyday"

[Jada59]

Help! I'm confused between the use of "everyday" and "every day" and looking in the dictionary was no help.

I thought that "everyday" applied to things that might use every day.

Such as:

Paper napkins are our everyday napkins and cloth napkins are for special occasions.

Or:

This is my everyday purse but I do have an evening bag.

However... Lately I've been seeing a lot of sentences like this:

My BF texts me everyday.

What are some things that you do everyday?

To me those sentences sound wrong. I think it should be "every day".

 

[Wilson Spalding]

Help! I'm confused between the use of "everyday" and "every day" and looking in the dictionary was no help.

I thought that "everyday" applied to things that might use every day.

Such as:

Paper napkins are our everyday napkins and cloth napkins are for special occasions.

Or:

This is my everyday purse but I do have an evening bag.

However... Lately I've been seeing a lot of sentences like this:

My BF texts me everyday.

What are some things that you do everyday?

To me those sentences sound wrong. I think it should be "every day".

You've got a good instinct.

"Everyday" is usually an adjective for something commonly used. An "everyday" tool or utensil.

"Every day" is simply a function of regularity. If it's describing an event that happens on a daily basis, the two-word format is definitely the way to go.

 

[Jada59]

You've got a good instinct.

"Everyday" is usually an adjective for something commonly used. An "everyday" tool or utensil.

"Every day" is simply a function of regularity. If it's describing an event that happens on a daily basis, the two-word format is definitely the way to go.

Thanks!

 

[sirhugs]

Wilson has it right and explains it well.

 

[Jada59]

Wilson has it right and explains it well.

Thanks!

 

[Kate_part2]

Love this thread! I love words. How about an explanation about "effect" and "affect"?

 

[Jada59]

Love this thread! I love words. How about an explanation about "effect" and "affect"?

Something can "affect" you. And when it does, you'll feel the "effect".

 

[davion2308]

Words

Everyday and every day was covered. Hooray!

Affect is the verb. Things affect you and me.

Effect is the noun. Something that affects us has an effect.

Ta-da!

This is the part that makes the most work for me: Selecting the right words for a story. I'm not looking for perfect grammar so much as simply making things sound right. That's the grammar I use.

"What would people really say?" I like the realism behind not-so-perfect grammar.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

There is also a noun 'affect', which is a technical psychological term in psychology describing someone's demeanour, but if you didn't already know that I wouldn't recommend using it in a story.

Just mentioning it as sometimes people look up 'affect', see the dictionary says 'noun' then use it mistakenly. For extra amusement, 'effect' can also be a verb meaning to cause. Important in science exams to know the difference.

 

[davion2308]

Touche

There is also a noun 'affect', which is a technical psychological term in psychology describing someone's demeanour, but if you didn't already know that I wouldn't recommend using it in a story.

Just mentioning it as sometimes people look up 'affect', see the dictionary says 'noun' then use it mistakenly. For extra amusement, 'effect' can also be a verb meaning to cause. Important in science exams to know the difference.

Both are true. You can effect change by overcoming obstacles, etc. etc.

Oh, that English language!

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Everyday and every day was covered. Hooray!

Affect is the verb. Things affect you and me.

Effect is the noun. Something that affects us has an effect.

Ta-da!

This is the part that makes the most work for me: Selecting the right words for a story. I'm not looking for perfect grammar so much as simply making things sound right. That's the grammar I use.

"What would people really say?" I like the realism behind not-so-perfect grammar.

If the words are between quote marks, they don't need to be grammatically correct. It is speech and there are any number of people who do not talk grammatically correct. As far as narration, it should be grammatically correct.

Shouldn't it?

 

[stickygirl]

Looks like we have effected a resolution here, but yes, the English Language and how non-English people struggle with it. Some examples I heard recently from a French speaker were "a bath tube" meaning a bath, and "so many womans" as plural. Both charming and perfectly understood.

 

[Enchantment_of_Nyx]

Looks like we have effected a resolution here, but yes, the English Language and how non-English people struggle with it. Some examples I heard recently from a French speaker were "a bath tube" meaning a bath, and "so many womans" as plural. Both charming and perfectly understood.

Not to mention all the mens.

That is rather charming. It's the kind of thing that makes me want to smile when I hear it, then stop myself because I'm afraid it would be rude. I never quite know what to do with that.

 

[Emirus]

Some examples I heard recently from a French speaker were "a bath tube" meaning a bath, and "so many womans" as plural. Both charming and perfectly understood.

French is the perfect language for (in the best possible way) making mistakes with the English language. I love both French and Italian because they are both, in different ways, so very expressive. When we visit our Italian friends they say I pronounce the words correctly (sometimes with the arms lol) but I never do it if, for example, we are in a restaurant in case they think I’m fluent, in either language, because I’m not.

 

[Emirus]

It's the kind of thing that makes me want to smile when I hear it, then stop myself because I'm afraid it would be rude. I never quite know what to do with that.

We used, for many years, to have foreign students stay with us for the academic year and we always corrected them. This was because not only were they here to study they were also here to learn the language.

As long as it’s a smile, not a smirk, maybe a friendly laugh and how you explain the correct pronunciation that’s important. If you are condescending then it’s offensive. The same as if a native English speaker feels they should correct another native English speaker. It’s not what you say it’s how you say it!

I was at the doctors on one occasion and he corrected my pronunciation of a drug. It was simply that he pronounced it differently and his manner was condescending. If he hadn’t been condescending I wouldn’t have said anything but as it was I asked him if he had understood what I was talking about. When he told me he had understood I asked him why he had felt it necessary to correct me. This was followed by a period of silence after which he apologised and we carried on as if nothing had happened.

 

[stickygirl]

French is the perfect language for (in the best possible way) making mistakes with the English language. I love both French and Italian because they are both, in different ways, so very expressive. When we visit our Italian friends they say I pronounce the words correctly (sometimes with the arms lol) but I never do it if, for example, we are in a restaurant in case they think I’m fluent, in either language, because I’m not.

I've landed myself in trouble that way as well. I'm quite a good mimic so my pronunciation is good but my vocabulary very limited. In one cafe, my simple request was answered with a long, friendly reply that left me lost and embarrassed, so I dumb the accent down now!
I visited Poland, where no one expects you to speak their language, and they tolerate us abusing their mother tongue with cheerful patience.

 

[Enchantment_of_Nyx]

We used, for many years, to have foreign students stay with us for the academic year and we always corrected them. This was because not only were they here to study they were also here to learn the language.

As long as it’s a smile, not a smirk, maybe a friendly laugh and how you explain the correct pronunciation that’s important. If you are condescending then it’s offensive. The same as if a native English speaker feels they should correct another native English speaker. It’s not what you say it’s how you say it!

I was at the doctors on one occasion and he corrected my pronunciation of a drug. It was simply that he pronounced it differently and his manner was condescending. If he hadn’t been condescending I wouldn’t have said anything but as it was I asked him if he had understood what I was talking about. When he told me he had understood I asked him why he had felt it necessary to correct me. This was followed by a period of silence after which he apologised and we carried on as if nothing had happened.

I think it depends on the setting and the relationship, though. Foreign students staying with you is a perfect example for when you should correct someone, because part of their purpose is presumably to experience another culture, and that includes language. A teacher correcting a student would be another example. I would (and have) pointed out ESL errors of someone I know well.

I still don't think it's a great idea to do it under all circumstances, even if it's done with the right attitude. If I'm a bank teller and a guy comes in and asks me to look up how much moneys is in his account, I don't think correcting him would be appropriate, regardless of whether the mistake was because English wasn't his first language or because he was a native English-speaker with terrible grammar.

I think it would grow incredibly frustrating for someone to go through their day having their English constantly corrected.

And to be clear, I did mean that it makes me want to smile in the sense of wanting to smile because I found it charming, not because I thought it was smirk-worthy.

 

[Jada59]

If the words are between quote marks, they don't need to be grammatically correct. It is speech and there are any number of people who do not talk grammatically correct. As far as narration, it should be grammatically correct.

Shouldn't it?

True.

 

[Emirus]

I think it depends on the setting and the relationship, though. Foreign students staying with you is a perfect example for when you should correct someone, because part of their purpose is presumably to experience another culture, and that includes language. A teacher correcting a student would be another example. I would (and have) pointed out ESL errors of someone I know well.

I still don't think it's a great idea to do it under all circumstances, even if it's done with the right attitude. If I'm a bank teller and a guy comes in and asks me to look up how much moneys is in his account, I don't think correcting him would be appropriate, regardless of whether the mistake was because English wasn't his first language or because he was a native English-speaker with terrible grammar.

I think it would grow incredibly frustrating for someone to go through their day having their English constantly corrected.

And to be clear, I did mean that it makes me want to smile in the sense of wanting to smile because I found it charming, not because I thought it was smirk-worthy.

You are, of course, right about correcting someone in the bank or somewhere else, whether they are a native English speaker or not. It has to be someone with whom you are friendly or at least someone who will realise you are trying to be helpful.

My example of the doctor correcting, or so they thought, my pronunciation fits in with your example of the bank.

Sometimes terrible grammar from a non-English speaking person can be amusing for both parties. But it should always come first from the other person. I’ve been the one with the terrible grammar on more than one occasion.