Anytime vs Any Time: Which Is Correct?

Both are correct, but they're not always interchangeable. Anytime (one word) is an adverb meaning "whenever" or "at any time," as in "Call me anytime," and it's especially common in American English. Any time (two words) works in every context, and it's required when you mean an amount of time ("I don't have any time") or after a preposition ("at any time").

So the two-word form is never wrong, while the one-word form only works as an adverb. If you'd like a single safe rule for formal writing in any country, use any time.

Quick answer: Anytime = adverb, "whenever": "Drop by anytime." Any time = always correct, and required after a preposition ("at any time") or when it means an amount of time ("Do you have any time?"). In doubt, write any time.

On this page

1. How the two forms work
2. When you must use two words
3. When either form is fine
4. Where "anytime" came from
5. Pronunciation
6. Summary table
7. Example sentences
8. US vs UK vs Australia
9. Common mistakes
10. Anytime as a reply: tone and alternatives
11. Related one-word vs two-word pairs
12. Fixed phrases and edge cases
13. Memory tricks
14. Practice quiz
15. The rule to remember

How the two forms work

Any time: determiner + noun

In any time, the word any is a determiner and time is a noun. That combination can mean:

• an amount of time: "Have you got any time to help me this afternoon?"
• any point in time: "You can cancel at any time."
• any occasion: "Any time you visit Edinburgh, let me know."

Because time is behaving like a normal noun, it can take modifiers ("any free time," "any spare time") and follow prepositions ("at any time," "for any time," "by any time").

Anytime: adverb

Anytime fuses the two words into a single adverb meaning "whenever" or "at any moment":

• "You're welcome to stay with us anytime."
• "The package should arrive anytime now."
• "Anytime you need a lift, just text me."

In that last example, anytime works almost like a conjunction ("whenever"). This use is common and accepted in American English, though more formal writers in all countries may still prefer any time there.

When you must use two words

There are two situations where anytime is clearly wrong:

1. After a preposition

At, for, by, from and similar words need a noun after them, so time must stand alone.

• ❌ at anytime → ✅ at any time
• ❌ by anytime tomorrow → ✅ by any time tomorrow (though this phrasing is rare)

"At any time" is a staple of contracts, policies and terms and conditions: "We may change these terms at any time."

2. When "time" means an amount

If you could substitute any minutes or any hours, you're talking about quantity, and you need two words.

• ❌ "I don't have anytime this week."
• ✅ "I don't have any time this week."
• ✅ "Is there any time left on the parking meter?"

Also keep it separate with modifiers

If you add an adjective, the words must be apart: "any spare time," "any free time," "any convenient time."

When either form is fine

In the adverb position, meaning "whenever" or "at any moment," both forms are acceptable:

• "Call me anytime." / "Call me any time."
• "The storm could hit anytime." / "The storm could hit any time."
• "Anytime you're in Brisbane, look us up." / "Any time you're in Brisbane, look us up."

In casual writing, texts and American English, anytime is very common here. In formal British and Australian writing, editors are more likely to choose any time.

Where "anytime" came from

Any time has been two words for centuries, with any coming from Old English and time from an old Germanic word. The closed form anytime became established in American English during the 20th century, following the same path as words like anyway and anyone, which had merged earlier. Dictionaries now list anytime as a standard adverb, but most still note that the two-word form is common and that it is preferred by some writers, especially outside the US.

Pronunciation

The difference in sound is small:

• anytime: EN-ee-time, stress on the first syllable
• any time: EN-ee TIME, with a little more stress on time, especially when it means an amount ("I don't have any TIME")

Because the adverb uses are so close in sound, pronunciation won't usually help you choose. Grammar will.

Summary table

Example sentences

Everyday

1. "Thanks for helping me move!" "Anytime, mate."
2. Pop in any time you're passing through Ballarat.
3. I haven't had any time to myself since the twins were born.
4. The pizza should be here anytime now.
5. You can borrow my bike any time, just bring it back with air in the tyres.
6. Is there any time left on the oven timer?
7. Text me anytime if you get lost on the way to the stadium in Denver.

Workplace and email

8. Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions.
9. I'm free any time after 2 p.m. on Thursday.
10. Do you have any time this week to review the draft?
11. Our support team is available anytime, 24/7, via live chat.
12. You may withdraw your application at any time before the closing date.
13. Happy to jump on a call any time that suits you.
14. Employees can access the wellbeing app anytime from their phones.

Academic and formal

15. Participants were told they could leave the study at any time without explanation.
16. The data may be accessed at any time by authorized researchers.
17. Students who need extra support can book an appointment at any time during term.
18. The agreement may be terminated by either party at any time with 30 days' notice.

News-style

19. Forecasters say the cyclone could cross the Queensland coast any time in the next 24 hours.
20. The minister refused to say whether the policy would change any time soon.
21. Shoppers can now pick up orders anytime from new lockers at stations in Chicago.
22. Police urged anyone with information to contact them at any time.
23. Economists don't expect interest rates to fall anytime soon.
24. The museum in Leeds will now be open any time between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

US vs UK vs Australia

This is a pair where real regional preferences exist, although the core rule (two words after prepositions and for amounts) is the same everywhere.

United States. Anytime is fully established as an adverb. Americans write "Call me anytime," "anytime soon" and "Anytime!" without hesitation, and many US dictionaries list it as a standard single word. The two-word form is still used and is still required after prepositions ("at any time") and for amounts.

United Kingdom. Any time is the traditional form and remains common in formal writing, government documents and quality newspapers, even in adverb positions: "Come round any time." Anytime is increasingly seen in informal writing, advertising and texting, and it is widely understood. If you're writing formally for a British audience, two words are the safer choice.

Australia. Usage is broadly similar to British English, with any time favored in formal and official writing, and anytime common in casual messages, marketing and replies such as "Anytime!" American influence through media and technology has made the one-word form more familiar, but the two-word form is never wrong.

Dictionaries in all three countries accept both forms as adverbs; the difference is one of preference and register, not correctness.

Common mistakes

❌ You can unsubscribe at anytime. ✅ You can unsubscribe at any time.

❌ Sorry, I don't have anytime today. ✅ Sorry, I don't have any time today.

❌ Do you have anytime free on Monday? ✅ Do you have any free time on Monday?

❌ Our offices may close at anytime due to weather. ✅ Our offices may close at any time due to weather.

❌ I haven't had any-time to reply. ✅ I haven't had any time to reply. (No hyphen.)

✅ "Thanks for the lift!" "Anytime!" (Correct and natural.)

The most frequent mistake by far is "at anytime." It shows up constantly in terms and conditions, emails and website footers, so it's a good one to search for in your own documents.

Anytime as a reply: tone and alternatives

"Anytime!" is one of the most natural ways to answer thanks in casual English. It says two things at once: you were glad to help, and you'd do it again. That makes it warmer than a plain "No problem."

It is best in friendly settings: texts, team chat, and conversations with colleagues you know. In a formal email to a new client, it can feel a touch breezy, so you might choose a fuller phrase instead.

Anytime in brand names

Some businesses use Anytime in their names (gyms, banking services and delivery apps, for example) to signal round-the-clock access. Brand names keep their own spelling, so you'd write the company's official name even in a document that otherwise uses any time.

Related one-word vs two-word pairs

English has several pairs like this, and each follows slightly different rules. The closest parallel is everyday vs every day, where the one-word form is an adjective rather than an adverb, so "I run everyday" is wrong while "Call me anytime" is fine. Other pairs worth knowing include awhile vs a while and a lot vs alot vs allot. And if you often use "Anytime!" as a reply, you might like our ideas on how to respond to thank you.

Fixed phrases and edge cases

A handful of common expressions raise the question in less obvious ways. Here is how each one works:

• "Anytime soon." Usually written as one word in American English ("The rain won't stop anytime soon") and two words in formal British or Australian writing. Both are accepted, because the phrase works as an adverb.
• "Any time now." Means "very soon": "The bus should be here any time now." Most writers keep this as two words, and two words are the safer choice.
• "Any time you like" / "any time you want." Here the phrase is followed by a clause, so time is acting like a noun being described. Two words are traditional, although anytime appears in casual writing.
• "At any one time." As in "No more than 20 visitors at any one time." The word one modifies time, and the preposition at comes first, so it must be two words.
• "Any time of day or night." Time is followed by "of day," which makes it a noun again, so keep the space.

Checking a terms-and-conditions page

Legal and policy text is where you'll find the most errors. Read through this short sample from an imaginary Brisbane gym:

"Members may cancel at anytime. Staff can assist anytime during opening hours, and the pool may close anytime for maintenance."

Every instance should be reconsidered. "Cancel at any time" needs two words after at. The second and third are adverbs, so anytime is acceptable in casual copy, but for a formal contract "at any time during opening hours" and "may close at any time" read more precisely and match the first fix. Consistency matters in a single document: pick one style and stick to it.

Memory tricks

• "At" splits the time. Whenever at comes first, the words come apart: at any time.
• Time you can spend needs space. If time is something you have, lack or spend, it's a noun, so it gets its own word.
• Two words never fail. If you can't remember the rule, any time is always correct.

Practice quiz

Choose anytime or any time. Where both are acceptable, choose the one that fits formal British or Australian writing.

1. Your subscription can be cancelled at ______.
2. I'm so busy I haven't had ______ to call my mum.
3. "Thanks for watering my plants!" "______!"
4. Do you have ______ to meet before Friday?
5. Customers may request a refund at ______ within 30 days.
6. In a text to a friend in Chicago: "Come over ______ you like!"

Answers

1. any time: after the preposition at.
2. any time: an amount of time.
3. Anytime: the standard casual reply.
4. any time: an amount of time.
5. any time: after at.
6. anytime (or any time): adverb meaning "whenever," and the one-word form is natural in casual American English.

The rule to remember

Write any time after prepositions, when you mean an amount of time, and in formal writing for British or Australian readers; use anytime freely as a friendly adverb, especially in American English and in casual replies. If you only remember one thing, make it this: "at any time" is always two words, and two words are never wrong.