Anytime vs. Any Time: What's the Difference?
Learn when anytime is an adverb or conjunction and when any time is a noun phrase, with replacement tests, examples, a quiz, and FAQs.
Anytime is commonly an adverb meaning whenever or at any occasion, and it can also introduce a clause informally. Any time is a two-word noun phrase meaning any amount or instance of time. After a preposition such as at, use any time.
Working with a longer passage? Use our free AI text summarizer to turn it into a focused overview, then return here to check the wording.
A support page says customers can contact the team “at anytime.” Because at needs a noun phrase after it, the copy editor inserts a space: customers can contact the team at any time.
Anytime vs. Any Time at a glance
| Word | Typical role | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| anytime | Adverb or conjunction | whenever; at any occasion | You can call anytime after noon. |
| any time | Noun phrase | any amount or instance of time | Do you have any time to review the draft? |
How to use anytime
Anytime works as one word when it modifies a verb with the sense of whenever. In informal usage it can also introduce a clause: Anytime you need help, ask.
You can call anytime after noon.
How to use any time
Any time keeps time as a noun modified by any. It is required when the phrase functions as a noun, especially after a preposition or when discussing an amount of available time.
Do you have any time to review the draft?
Rules that make the choice easier
Try replacing the word with whenever
If whenever fits naturally, anytime is usually a good choice: You may leave anytime means You may leave whenever you wish.
Use two words after a preposition
Write at any time, for any time, and without any time because the preposition is followed by the noun phrase any time.
Use two words for an amount of time
Questions such as Do we have any time? refer to an amount, so time remains a separate noun.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not write at anytime in standard edited prose.
- Do not force anytime into a sentence about available time.
- Keep one spelling choice consistent when the same grammatical use repeats.
Quick practice
1. You may visit ___ this week.
Answer: anytime
2. You may visit at ___ this week.
Answer: any time
3. Do you have ___ before the meeting?
Answer: any time
Frequently asked questions
Is anytime one word or two?
It can be either. Use anytime for whenever and any time when time is a noun.
Is at anytime correct?
In standard edited English, write at any time because at is followed by the noun phrase any time.
Can anytime begin a sentence?
Yes, especially informally: “Anytime you need assistance, contact us.”
Is any time always interchangeable with anytime?
No. Any time can name an amount of time, a use that the one-word adverb cannot replace.