Quick Answer
Use anytime when you mean “whenever” and no preposition comes before it.
Use any time when you mean an amount of time or when it follows a preposition such as at, for, before, or after.
Correct examples:
- Call me anytime.
- You can stop by anytime.
- We can meet at any time.
- I don’t have any time to finish that today.
If you’re unsure, remember this simple rule:
“At any time” is always two words.
The Difference At A Glance
| Feature | Anytime | Any Time |
|---|---|---|
| Number of words | One | Two |
| Main role | Adverb (sometimes adjective) | Noun phrase |
| Meaning | Whenever; at any moment | An unspecified amount or point of time |
| Works after “at” | No | Yes |
| Used for an amount of time | No | Yes |
What Does “Anytime” Mean?
Anytime is usually an adverb meaning whenever or at any moment.
Think of it as answering the question “When?”
Examples:
- Call me anytime.
- You’re welcome to visit anytime.
- We can leave anytime after lunch.
- Let me know anytime you’re ready.
A quick test:
Replace anytime with whenever.
- Call me whenever.
- Visit whenever you like.
If the sentence still sounds natural, anytime is probably the correct choice.
What Does “Any Time” Mean?
Any time is a noun phrase consisting of the determiner any and the noun time.
It has two common uses.
Referring To An Amount Of Time
Examples:
- I don’t have any time today.
- She finally found some time, but I couldn’t find any time.
- We barely have any time left.
If you could replace it with an hour, a few minutes, or another duration, use any time.
For example:
- I don’t have an hour today.
- I don’t have any time today.
Following A Preposition
When a preposition comes first, use any time.
Examples:
- You can arrive at any time.
- Call at any time if you need help.
- The meeting may begin at any time.
The reason is grammatical: prepositions take noun phrases as their objects, and any time functions as that noun phrase.
The Easiest Way To Choose
Ask yourself these two questions.
Can I Replace It With “Whenever”?
If yes, write anytime.
- Stop by anytime.
- Stop by whenever.
Both work.
Is There A Preposition Before It?
If the answer is yes, write any time.
- at any time
- for any time
- before any time
- after any time
This rule works almost every time.
Why “At Anytime” Is Incorrect
One of the most common writing mistakes is:
❌ You can call me at anytime.
The correct version is:
✔ You can call me at any time.
Because at requires a noun phrase as its object, any time is the correct grammatical choice.
Common Mistakes
Using “Anytime” To Mean An Amount Of Time
Incorrect:
❌ I don’t have anytime today.
Correct:
✔ I don’t have any time today.
Writing “At Anytime”
Incorrect:
❌ The museum is open at anytime.
Correct:
✔ The museum is open at any time.
Hyphenating The Word
Incorrect:
❌ any-time
Correct:
✔ anytime
✔ any time
There is no standard hyphenated form.
Anytime Vs. Any Time In Formal Writing
Modern dictionaries recognize anytime as a standard English word, and it appears regularly in newspapers, books, websites, and professional writing.
However, in especially formal contexts—such as legal documents, academic papers, or official policies—you’ll often see at any time because it follows established grammatical structure and tends to sound more formal.
Examples:
Business email:
- Feel free to contact me anytime.
Company policy:
- Employees may request assistance at any time.
Legal document:
- Either party may terminate the agreement at any time.
Everyday Examples
Correct uses of anytime:
- Visit us anytime.
- Call me anytime this week.
- You’re welcome anytime.
- Come back anytime.
Correct uses of any time:
- I don’t have any time to cook tonight.
- We can meet at any time tomorrow.
- Is there any time available this afternoon?
- The package could arrive at any time.
Memory Trick
Remember this sentence:
If “at” comes first, use two words.
That’s the easiest shortcut for avoiding the mistake most writers make.
Another helpful reminder:
- Anytime = whenever
- Any time = an amount of time or a time after a preposition
Related Word Pairs To Learn
If you often confuse anytime and any time, you may also want to review similar word pairs, including:
- Everyday vs. every day
- Sometime vs. some time
- Awhile vs. a while
- Altogether vs. all together
- Maybe vs. may be
These pairs follow similar patterns where one form is a single word with a distinct grammatical function and the other is a two-word phrase.
FAQ
Is “anytime” one word or two?
Both spellings are correct, but they are not interchangeable. Use anytime when you mean “whenever.” Use any time when referring to an amount of time or after a preposition.
Is “at anytime” ever correct?
No. The standard form is at any time.
Can I use “anytime” in formal writing?
Yes. Anytime is widely accepted in modern English. In very formal or legal writing, however, you’ll often see at any time because it fits the grammatical structure required after a preposition.
How do I remember the difference?
Use this two-step test:
- If you can replace it with whenever, write anytime.
- If it follows at or refers to an amount of time, write any time.
Is “anytime” an adjective?
Usually, anytime functions as an adverb. In some contexts, it can also be used as an adjective, as in “an anytime snack.” That use is less common than its adverbial use.
Final Takeaway
The distinction is straightforward once you know what to look for.
- Use anytime when you mean “whenever.”
- Use any time after a preposition or when referring to an amount or point of time.
- Never write at anytime.
- When in doubt, remember: “At any time” is always two words.
With those rules in mind, you’ll choose the correct form confidently in everyday conversation, professional emails, and formal writing alike.
Conclusion
The rule comes down to two quick checks: can you swap in “whenever,” and is there no preposition in front of it? If yes, use “anytime.” If you’re describing an amount of time, or a preposition like “at” comes first, use “any time.” When you’re genuinely unsure, the two-word form is always a safe bet.
