everyday vs. every day
Everyday, one word, is an adjective meaning ordinary: everyday clothes, everyday life. Every day, two words, means each day: I walk every day. Quick test: if "every single day" still makes sense, write two words.
everyday
An adjective meaning ordinary, commonplace, or routine. It sits before a noun.
- These are everyday problems, not emergencies.
- He wore everyday clothes to the interview.
- An everyday occurrence in this office.
- Everyday language, as opposed to technical language.
every day
Two words. An adverbial phrase meaning each day, daily.
- She checks the figures every day.
- We meet every day at nine.
- It rained every day for a fortnight.
- Every day brings a new version of the file.
Why everyday and every day get mixed up
Everyday, written as one word, is an adjective meaning ordinary, routine or used daily: everyday clothes, everyday problems, everyday life. Every day, as two words, means each day: I walk every day, the store opens at nine every day.
The test that settles almost every case is to put the word "single" in the middle. If "every single day" still makes sense, you want two words. "I check email every single day" works, so it is every day. "These are my every single day shoes" does not, so it is everyday shoes.
Another clue is position. Everyday almost always sits in front of a noun, describing it. Every day usually answers the question when.
Common mistakes
I check my email everyday before breakfast.
✓I check my email every day before breakfast.
This says how often: each day. "Every single day" works, so two words.
These are just my every day shoes.
✓These are just my everyday shoes.
It describes the shoes as ordinary, so one word.
Everyday at noon, the bell rings.
✓Every day at noon, the bell rings.
It says when the bell rings, so two words.
Quick way to remember
Try inserting "single" between the two parts. "She checks it every single day" works, so it is two words. "Every single day clothes" is nonsense, so that one is the adjective and closes up. If the word sits in front of a noun and means ordinary, it is one word.
Questions
Is it "everyday life" or "every day life"?
Everyday life, one word. It describes a kind of life, ordinary and routine.
Does the same rule apply to everyone and every one?
A similar one. Everyone means all people (everyone agreed). Every one means each individual item, and usually comes before "of" (every one of the boxes was damaged).