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1 Word or 2

Topic: 1 Word or 2
Activity Type: Mechanics
Activity Level: Advanced
Aim of the Activity: By the end of this list, you would be able to discern whether certain words are written as 1 word or 2 words.

Introduction

A number of English words exist either as a single word or as two words. While writing on the board and while doing your own assignments, you should pay attention to this aspect. People generally don’t tend to pay attention to this aspect because they feel that getting the spelling right is enough, but this is not the case. You should learn the importance of correcting mistakes that could ruin the credibility of your written work.

When a word is written either as one word or as two words, there are no grammatical rules or guidelines involved in it. However, there are instances where the same word is written as a single word or as 2 words, in accordance with the sentence’s requirement. In such cases, the spelling and pronunciation don’t vary, while the meaning does; hence, the usage changes. Some of those word situations have been listed here in form of examples and relevant hints:

Word One Word Two Words
Anyone or any one

Example:
You can ask anyone to sign the form for you, as having the parent’s signature is not
necessary.

Hint:
If anyone is not followed by "of", it is one word!

Example:
Any one of the students in the group could be
responsible.

Hint:
If "of" follows anyone, then it is two words.

Everyone or Every one

Example:
Everyone (everybody) likes
to be appreciated. So
appreciate your students.

Hint:
If everyone is not followed
by "of", it is one word!

Example:
Every one of us (each
person in the group) will be
involved in the research

Hint:
If "of" follows every one,
then it is two words!

Into or In to

Example:
The student walked into the office.

Hint:
It implies entry into a room, place or phase.

Example:
The head teacher came in to see me.

Hint:
In is part of the verb phrase
"came in" and "to" is part of
the infinitive "to see".

Maybe or May be

Example:
The student hasn’t come. Maybe I should call him!

Hint:
It is an adverb and is used
to show the ‘perhaps’
element i.e. an uncertainty.

Example:
I may be out of town next week. Do check u with me before coming here!

Hint:
It is a verb and is used to
show possibility.
 

 

TASK:

Read the list of words given below. Think of examples from your own essays or readings where these words have been used as 1 word or 2. Look up all these words in a dictionary, to check whether each of them is to be written as one word or two words. Your dictionary for all the given times is your best guide to check whether a word that you are using or coming across should be written as a single word or two words. Build your vocabulary proficiency and learn the correct mechanical usage of words as you come across them.

  • Any other

  • Anymore

  • Anyplace

  • Anything

  • Beforehand

  • Blackboard

  • Firsthand

  • Head teacher

  • However

  • Moreover

  • Nevertheless

  • Newspaper

  • Nonacademic

  • Nonetheless

  • Notwithstanding

  • Nowhere

  • Ongoing

  • Sometimes

  • Stakeholders

  • Timeline

  • Timetable

  • Workload

  • Worksheet

 

REVIEW:

I hope that after going through the tutorial, you have now come to know the following:

  • How are words to be written; as 1 word or two words?

  • When the same word can be written as 1 word or two words:

    • Does the usage change in each instance?

    • Does the pronunciation change?

If you are not able to answer the above, please return to the tutorial.

FURTHER READING:

http://www.nyu.edu/classes/copyXediting/one_word_two_words.html

Authorship Details
Ambreen Ishrat

Link retrieved by
Melaine D’Cruze
Last Updated on Monday, 11 January 2010