Common Errors in English

ANXIOUS/EAGER
Most people use "anxious" interchangeably with "eager," but its original meaning had to do
with worrying, being full of anxiety. Perfectly correct phrases like, "anxious to please"
obscure the nervous tension implicit in this word and lead people to say less correct things
like "I'm anxious for Christmas morning to come so I can open my presents." Traditionalists
frown on anxiety-free anxiousness. Say instead you are eager for or looking forward to a
happy event.
ANY
Instead of saying "he was the worst of any of the dancers," say "he was the worst of the
dancers."
ANY WHERE/ANYWHERE
"Anywhere," like "somewhere" and "nowhere," is always one word.
ANYMORE/ANY MORE
In the first place, the traditional (though now uncommon) spelling is as two words: "any
more" as in "We do not sell bananas any more." In the second place, it should not be used at the beginning of a sentence as a synonym for "nowadays." In certain dialects of English it is
common to utter phrases like "anymore you have to grow your own if you want really ripe
tomatoes," but this is guaranteed to jolt listeners who aren't used to it. Even if they can't
quite figure out what's wrong, they'll feel that your speech is vaguely clunky and awkward.
"Any more" always needs to be used as part of an expression of negation except in questions
like "Do you have any more bananas?" Now you won't make that mistake any more, will
you?
ANYTIME/ANY TIME
Though it is often compressed into a single word by analogy with "anywhere" and similar
words, "any time" is traditionally a two-word phrase.
ANYWAYS/ANYWAY
"Anyways" at the beginning of a sentence usually indicates that the speaker has resumed a
narrative thread: "Anyways, I told Matilda that guy was a lazy bum before she ever married
him." It also occurs at the end of phrases and sentences, meaning "in any case": "He wasn't
all that good-looking anyways." A slightly less rustic quality can be imparted to these
sentences by substituting the more formal "anyway." Neither expression is a good idea in
formal written English. The two-word phrase "any way" has many legitimate uses, however:
"Is there any way to prevent the impending disaster?"
APART/A PART
Paradoxically, the one-word form implies separation while the two-word form implies union.
Feuding roommates decide to live apart. Their time together may be a part of their life they
will remember with some bitterness.