One word or two?

Commonly misspelled words

By: Jenni Fowler

Separate words!

Goodnight

Goodmorning

Goodday

Anyday

Good night

Good morning

Good day

Any day

Goodbye is one word!

A lot is one of the most commonly misspelled words. Many people spell it as alot.

Additional words that get confused

E-mail vs. e-mail

E-mail is used when speaking of a noun

e-mail is used when speaking of a verb

Activity

Ahold vs. A hold

When talking about having a grip on something or if you can use an adverb in between a and hold, use the two word form.

Ex: I’ll get ahold of you later.

She really has a hold on you.

Examples

login (n.), log in (v.)

Similar mergers have been done to other words that start with all such as:

Altogether & All together

Already & All ready

You will need a login name to access the site.

You will not be able to see your account information unless you log in.

printout (n.), print out (v.)

All right vs. Alright

He made his comments on the printout.

She was going to print out a copy but the printer was out of ink

1. Overtime, we have seen dramatic changes.

2. You’ve ruined every thing.

3. That doesn’t change the results in any way.

4. She won’t let me go anyplace without her.

5. The girl put on some eye shadow.

6. There was an eye witness where the crime happened.

7. He doesn't get along with anybody.

8. I don't remember any thing.

kickoff (n.), kick off (v.)

The kickoff meeting is schedule for next Tuesday.

Organizers will kick off the campaign Monday.

How do you know if it's one word or two?

All right is a word that is often shortened to alright. This nonstandard shortening of the word has become almost socially accepted. It is not deemed wrong or right. However, alright is best avoided if possible, especially on important documents.

mashup (n.), mash up (v.)

Works Cited

The software is a mashup of music and mapping technology.

The software lets you mash up your Facebook profile.

Check how you are using the word! Is it a verb, adjective, or noun?

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/20-pairs-of-one-word-and-two-word-forms/

Break Down vs. Breakdown

http://jasondrexler.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/say-good-night-to-goodnight/

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_the_word_with_out_one_or_two_words#slide=2&article=Is_the_word_with_out_one_or_two_words

The engine will eventually break down. (verb)

We suffered a breakdown in communications. (noun)

http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/hyphens.asp

Does it make sense?

Everyday vs. Every day

http://www.netwhisperer.com/2011/06/22/grammar-guide-2-one-word-or-two/

Every day should be able to be replaced with each day. If it can't be replaced, it's one word.

Everyday is used for something ordinary.

Ex: I go there every day. (adverb)

These are my everyday clothes. (adj.)

Everyone vs. Every one

Everyone is when referring to everybody while every one stresses a single thing.

Ex: Everyone’s a critic.

Every one of them is broken.