Answer - Anymore versus any more

[mab-browne.livejournal.com]

Fandom Grammar was asked "how do you use anymore vs any more?"


When I took this question on I figured I'd learn about something that confused me. As often happens with the English language the reason I was confused is because there are disagreements about appropriate usage. There are also interesting local variations, and I'll be illustrating the whole kit and caboodle with assistance from characters from The Sentinel and The Professionals.



My New Zealand Oxford dictionary recognises anybody, anyhow, anyone, anyplace, anything, anyway, anywhere, and anywise as single words but not anymore, so that was a starting indication as to the divide.

The Oxford Dictionary Online defines anymore as an American variation of any more.

In American usage, according to Grammarphobia.com, anymore is an adverb used in a negative statement to mean any longer or from now on.

There would seem to be three basic approaches to anymore and any more.

• Only any more is the correct usage. My NZ Oxford offers no commentary but I think I can guess where it stands in this argument.
  
  
• Anymore and any more are interchangeable.
  
  
• Any more and anymore are two separate usages.
  

According to this linked article "The difference in meaning considered useful by the third camp is that "anymore" is an adverb meaning "nowadays" or "any longer", while "any more" can be either adverb plus adjective, as in "I don't want any more pie", or adjective plus noun, as in "I don't want any more.""

Speaking for myself, my sojourn among USA fanwriters means that I'm accustomed to this third example of usage and find it logical and pleasing, but in written NZ or UK English usage I would be wrong.

Blair raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, I won't do tests anymore." He paused and shifted from one foot to another. "Or at least not for a week?"

Jim shook his head. "A lot longer than a week. Any more dumb tests or questions, and you, professor, will rue the day. And that's a promise."

We seem once again to be back with 'separated by a common language' with this question. To add extra confusion, generally anymore has a negative connotation, of something that used to be but is no longer, but there are some areas of the USA, UK, and Ireland where anymore has a positive usage, as of something that is ongoing.

Bodie and Doyle's newest informant counted his pound notes and smiled. "So I'll be your snitch anymore then?" he asked hopefully.

Don't let your brain get overheated," Bodie told his bemused partner. "He's Irish, remember."

"And you understand him because you're half Irish yourself," was Doyle's retort.

"Quarter actually. Not that I'll ever see the auld country any more," Bodie said, his voice quavering in a truly horrible attempt at an Irish accent.

So the answer to our question seems to be at this point that it depends; preference, context and your English language tradition will all play their part.


Some useful links:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/anymore

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anymore

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/anymore?q=anymore

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/american_english/anymore

http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/10206/should-anymore-only-be-used-in-a-negative-statement-or-question

http://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2011/04/anymore-3.html

http://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2011/02/anymore-2.html

http://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2007/08/quoth-the-maven.html

http://alt-usage-english.org/anymore.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_anymore

Comments

[garonne.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That was really helpful. I was quite confused before...

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thanks! This was one that got me, too. I was hoping for a firm "this is always the right way to do it", but knowing the options is the next best thing. :)

[dark-weezing.livejournal.com]

Most informative, for this has come up in my writing, as well. Thank you.

[xanthe.livejournal.com]

That's interesting! I only started using it because my betas kept suggesting it but I'm British and had never learned that this was appropriate usage so it's interesting to see the origins and why it wasn't something I'd used before!

[mendax.livejournal.com]

"Anymore" meaning "these days/nowadays" has crept its insidious way into my lexicon. I'm not sure where I picked it up, but I can't seem to shake it.

Interesting stuff! I assumed it was a usage creep issue, but I had no idea it was so regionally distinct.

[china_shop]

Aha! I was confused about that too -- didn't realise it was regional. Thank you!!!