Any time and anytime are pronounced the same, but they have different grammatical functions.

• Any time (two words) is a noun phrase meaning “any amount of time.” It can also be used as part of the prepositional phrase “at any time” (meaning “whenever”).
• Anytime (one word) is an adverb meaning “whenever” or “at any time.” It can also be used as a subordinating conjunction to introduce a dependent clause.

What does any time mean?

Any time is a noun phrase meaning “any amount of time.” In some instances, a determiner (e.g., “more,” “less,” “other”) can be placed between the two words to further modify the noun.

Any time can also be used in informal contexts to mean “you’re welcome.”

At any time

The prepositional phrase at any time (meaning “whenever”) is always written using the two-word phrase “any time.” “At anytime” is never correct.

What does anytime mean?

Anytime is an adverb meaning “at any time” or “whenever.”

Anytime can also be used as a subordinating conjunction to introduce a dependent clause (i.e., a clause that contains a subject and a verb but can’t act as a standalone sentence).

Worksheet: Anytime vs. any time

You can test your understanding of the difference between “anytime” and “any time” with the worksheet below. Fill in either “anytime” or “any time” in each sentence.

- Practice questions

1. We need to hurry. Don’t waste _______.
2. I’m always available to babysit. Just drop the kids off _______.
3. If you need assistance at _______, please call the reception desk.
4. _______ you need to talk, you can call me.
5. I’m usually free _______, but I don’t have _______ to go for coffee today.

- Answers and explanations

1. We need to hurry. Don’t waste any time.
   • “Any time” is a noun phrase meaning “any amount of time.”
2. I’m always available to babysit. Just drop the kids off anytime.
   • “Anytime” is an adverb meaning “whenever” or “at any time.”
3. If you need assistance at any time, please call the reception desk.
   • “Any time” is correct here. The prepositional phrase at any time is always written using the two-word phrase “any time.”

4. Anytime you need to talk, you can call me.
   • “Anytime” can also be used as a subordinating conjunction to introduce a dependent clause (i.e., a clause that contains a subject and a verb but can’t act as a standalone sentence).

5. I’m usually free anytime, but I don’t have any time to go for coffee today.
   • In the first instance “anytime” (meaning “whenever”) is correct. In the second instance, “any time” (meaning “any amount of time”) is correct.