Common Word Errors: Anyway

I have this problem in my writing --  for some reason, I always write ANYWAYS instead of ANYWAY... SO,  for all of you that do this, here's the rule.


Anyway or Any Way?

The compound word anyway is an adverb meaning "regardless."

Any way is simply the word way modified by the word any. It means "any manner" or "any method."

Examples: We're going to do it anyway!
(regardless)
I do not know any way to fix it.
(any manner or any method)

Certain Adverbs Ending in -S

The adverbs anyway, anywhere, everywhere, nowhere, and somewhere do not end with an -s.

Incorrect: I put the pen somewheres around here.
Correct: I put the pen somewhere around here.

Source: here

Common Word Mistakes: A LOT, ALL RIGHT, ALL TOGETHER

A lot (two words) is an informal phrase meaning "many." It can take an adjective, for example, "a sizeable lot."

Example: Karl needed a lot of time for the job.

Allot means "to distribute between or among." It has the same root as lottery.

Example: He allotted three breaks a day to everyone in the department.

Alot does not exist as a word.


Alright is a nonstandard abbreviation.

Spelling all right as two words is all right. 


All Together or Altogether ?

All together means "together in a single group."

Altogether means "completely" or "in all."

Examples: We were able to walk all together.
There were ten of us altogether, counting Mr. Bemis.
He was altogether baffled by the question.

Source: here

Common Word Mistakes: Accept and Except

I'm going to do a series of blogs on Common Word Mistakes. All writers, even experts sometimes make these simple mistakes. 

Accept means "to receive."

Except is usually a preposition meaning "but" or "leaving out." However, except can also be a verb meaning "to leave out."

As verbs, accept and except are nearly antonyms, so the difference is important!

Examples: He accepted the gift. (He received it.) He excepted the twins. (He did not include them.)
Everyone except Bill. (All but Bill.)

Just remember: the “X” in “except” excludes things—they tend to stand out, be different. In contrast, just look at those two cozy “C’s” snuggling up together. Very accepting.

Source: here and here