Quick answer: Anymore (one word) is an adverb meaning “any longer”, used mainly in negative sentences and questions in American English: I don’t live there anymore. Any more (two words) means an additional amount or quantity: I don’t want any more coffee. British English generally prefers the two-word spelling for both meanings. For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘anymore’.
Comparison Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| anymore | adverb | any longer, from now on (used in negatives/questions, mainly American English) | He doesn’t call anymore. |
| any more | determiner phrase | an additional amount or quantity of something | Would you like any more tea? |
Using Anymore
Anymore is written as one word and functions as an adverb of time, describing something that has stopped happening. It appears almost exclusively in negative statements and questions.
I don’t eat meat anymore.
She doesn’t work at that company anymore.
Do you play tennis anymore?
We can’t afford to travel anymore.
Using Any More
Any more is written as two words and refers to an additional quantity of something, whether countable or uncountable. It is common in questions and negative sentences.
Do you need any more help with the boxes?
There isn’t any more milk in the fridge.
Are there any more seats available for the show?
I don’t have any more questions right now.
Memory Trick
If you can replace the phrase with “any longer”, it’s about time, so keep it as one word: anymore. If you can replace it with “an additional amount”, it’s about quantity, so keep it as two words — just like “some more” is two words.
Common Mistakes
✗ He doesn’t play football any more, he stopped last year. (acceptable in British English, but inconsistent if aiming for American usage)
✓ He doesn’t play football anymore; he stopped last year. (American English, time meaning)
In American English, keep the time meaning as one word: "anymore".
✗ I don’t want anymore cake, thank you.
✓ I don’t want any more cake, thank you.
Tips to Avoid Confusion
- If you mean any longer / no longer (about time), use anymore (one word, mainly American English).
- If you mean an additional quantity of something, use any more (two words).
- Both forms usually appear in negative sentences or questions, not plain positive statements.
- In British English, "any more" (two words) is safe for both meanings if you're unsure.
For more on related grammar, see adverbs. Also confusing: Afraid vs Frightened, Alone vs Lonely, Angry vs Furious. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Anymore or Any More?
4 fill-in-the-blank questions — choose the correct word for each sentence.
1. “She doesn’t live in that city ___.” (any longer)
2. “Would you like ___ tea before we go?” (additional quantity)
3. “We can’t wait ___; the train is leaving.” (time)
4. “Are there ___ tickets left for tonight’s show?”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between anymore and any more?
Anymore (one word) is an adverb of time meaning "any longer": "I don't live there anymore." Any more (two words) refers to an additional quantity of something: "I don't want any more coffee." One is about time; the other is about quantity.
Is anymore used in British English?
The one-word spelling 'anymore' is mainly American English. British English generally prefers the two-word form 'any more' for both the time meaning and the quantity meaning, though 'anymore' does appear informally.
Can anymore be used in a positive statement?
Anymore is normally used in negative sentences and questions, not positive statements. Say "He doesn't smoke anymore" or "Does he still smoke?" rather than "He smokes anymore", which is not standard English.
How do I know if I need one word or two?
Try replacing the phrase with 'any longer'. If it fits, use 'anymore' (or 'any more' in British English): "I can't wait anymore" = "I can't wait any longer." If you mean an extra amount, use the two-word 'any more': "Do you need any more time?"
Can any more refer to people or things, not just quantity words like coffee?
Yes. 'Any more' works with countable and uncountable nouns alike: "Are there any more seats?", "Do you have any more questions?", "I don't need any more advice."
Is 'not... anymore' the same as 'no longer'?
Yes — both express that a situation has ended. "She doesn't work here anymore" means the same as "She no longer works here", though 'no longer' is more formal and can be used in positive-sounding sentence structure without 'not'.
Why do some style guides avoid anymore in formal writing?
Some traditional style guides still treat 'anymore' as informal or dialectal, recommending the two-word 'any more' in all contexts. In practice, 'anymore' (for the time meaning) is now standard in American published writing.
Does 'any more' always need 'not' or a question?
The 'additional quantity' meaning of 'any more' is most common in questions and negatives too, since 'any' typically appears there: "Do you want any more?" / "I don't need any more." In positive statements you'd usually use 'some more' instead: "I'd like some more, please."
Can anymore appear at the start of a sentence?
In some American dialects, 'anymore' can begin a sentence with a meaning closer to 'nowadays': "Anymore, everyone shops online." This usage is regional and considered non-standard in most writing.
How can I remember anymore vs any more?
Think of 'anymore' as one word about time, like 'forevermore' — it's about duration continuing or stopping. 'Any more' as two words is about 'more' of a quantity, just like 'some more' is two words. If you can swap in 'any longer', keep it as one word; if you can swap in 'additional', keep it as two words.