GRAMMAR GURU: Are We Confused Yet?

By popular demand (well, one popular demand, anyway), I am hereby resurrecting the Grammar Guru.  Resident of a former blog, Guru is an editor and some of the things she and others have noted will be duly described and corrected in this column, in such a way as to be comprehensible.  Rather than confuse you with phrases such as "split infinitive" and "subjunctive clause," Guru will merely tell you what's right, what's wrong and how to tell the difference, with examples of proper use.  So, without further ado, here's a list of requested words and phrases:

Any one vs. anyone: 

Any one denotes a specific person:  “Any one of us could go.” 

Anyone denotes any person at all:   “This event may be attended by anyone.”

Any more vs. anymore:

Any more denotes quantity:  “Are there any more?” 

Anymore is a measure of time:  “No one does that anymore.”

Every one vs. everyone: 

Every one is singular:  “Every one was counted.” 

Everyone is plural:  “Everyone can come.”

Any way vs.  anyway:

Any way means exactly what it says—any way/any method:  “I’ll take it any way I can get it.” 

Anyway is an adverbial substitute for “anywise” or “anyhow,”—meaning “in any case.”  “It doesn’t matter anyway.”

Any time vs. anytime:

Any time is specific: "Any time this happens, it's wrong."

Anytime is a generality meaning 'at any time whatsoever.'  "You can get that anytime."

All right vs. alright: 

The dictionary says these are interchangeable, but as an editor Guru can tell you that it strikes an immediate sour note with her whenever she sees "alright." 

Alright has only recently come into vogue and is still regarded by those of the old school as slang, and there is nothing wrong with using all right.  And since you don’t know whether you might get an old-school editor, the Guru advises using all right.  It's like wearing a classic clothing style.   You might not be trendy, but you'll never be wrong.