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However, there is some resentment from etiquette experts who do not like replacing “you’re welcome” as a formal response to “thank you.”īut since the phrase and its iterations are part of phatic communication, there’s not much that you can do to change it. When someone is thanking you and you reply with “you’re welcome,” the implication might be that whatever you did that required thanks was challenging to do.Īs a society, we have become more conscious of causing offense and often do not feel that it’s necessary to make the person thanking us feel bad or off-put because we did them a favor.Ī lot of people struggle to accept compliments, and in the same way, replacing “you’re welcome” with “anytime” or “no stress” is a way to lessen our feelings of deserving so much thanks or praise. “Anytime” was not always a response to someone saying “thank you.” For a significant period of time, the correct and formal answer to “thank you” was “you’re welcome.” This convention has changed, however, due to a kinder and more considerate awareness. But you cannot precede the adverb form with “at” - we always write it as two words in those cases. “Anytime” can also refer to a time that individuals have not agreed upon ( source). This drink is so good on a hot day, but it’s also refreshing anytime.Anytime I have extra money, some expense pops up.Thus, it means “whenever” or “at any time.” When we write it as one word, it is an adverb. When I open the door at any time, the cat bolts out.Ĭonversely, although some people consider it somewhat informal, “anytime” as a singular word has become more common.The original phrase is “any time,” with a space between the two words, and it refers to “any period in time.” It is a phrase with “any,” and you will most often precede it with “at.”
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“Any time” and “anytime” have slightly different meanings. Old English “ tima” referred to the limitation of time or a specific period. The words “any” and “time” come from Old English as “ ænig,” which, at the time, referred to anyone. The compound word “anytime” is something that originated more recently.
#ANYTIME ONE WORD OR TWO HOW TO#
To find out the difference and how to thank people without saying “you’re welcome,” keep reading. You shouldn’t confuse “anytime” with “any time,” however. Of course, different languages and cultures have their own variation of the phrase, but “anytime” is a widely understood synonym for “you’re welcome.” As society moves away from more formal language, using synonymous words and phrases including “no problem,” “no stress,” or “anytime” have become commonplace. “Anytime” means “you’re welcome” when you use it colloquially.
#ANYTIME ONE WORD OR TWO FULL#
You’re full of thank you’s and gratitude, but your friend simply responds with “anytime.” Imagine you’re leaving work, and your best friend gives you a call to say that they’re bringing you your favorite meal.
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