Anyway or Any way?
The main thing to remember when thinking about the difference between anyway and any way is that they are two different types of word. Anyway is one word (an adverb that changes the meaning of other words in the sentence) that means ‘in any event’ – e.g. If Sam doesn’t study, he must take the test anyway. Anyway changes the meaning of the sentence:
- If Sam doesn’t study, he must take the test anyway = whether he prepares for the test or not, Sam has to take it.
If we remove anyway, the meaning is different:
- If Sam doesn’t study, he must take the test = Sam only has to take the test in the event that he doesn’t study.
Any way is a two-word phrase that means ‘in any manner’ or ‘by any means’ – e.g. The sign advised drivers to take any way but the main road to reach the supermarket.
Here are some correct and incorrect ways to use anyway and any way:
- The zoo is closing anyway, so we’ll have to leave soon. (correct)
- The zoo is closing any way, so we’ll have to leave soon. (incorrect)
- Is there any way the teacher can reschedule the class on Friday? (correct)
- Is there anyway the teacher can reschedule the class on Friday? (incorrect)
- Of course, Claire can drive you there – she’s going in that direction anyway. (correct)
- Of course, Claire can drive you there – she’s going in that direction any way. (incorrect)
- The mechanic can’t find any way to repair the car engine. (correct)
- The mechanic can’t find anyway to repair the car engine. (incorrect)
In American English, you might also see the word anyways. There is no difference between anyway and anyways, except that anyways is more informal. So, you can use anyways when you talk to your American friends – e.g. I thought Tori wasn’t going out tonight anyways, but not in a professional business context – e.g. Deborah said to the board: “although the economy is bad, sales are increasing anyway”.
There is an easier way to think about these commonly confused words, and this is to use synonyms for them. For example, to decide whether to use anyway, try using nonetheless or nevertheless. If the sentence seems strange, you’re using the wrong word:
- The shirt was expensive, but Simon bought it anyway. (correct)
- The shirt was expensive, but Simon bought it nevertheless. (correct)
- The shirt was expensive, but Simon bought it nonetheless. (correct)
- The shirt was expensive, but Simon bought it any way. (incorrect)
Similarly, for any way try any means by which or any manner in which. If these don’t sound right, you’re using the wrong word:
- The customer asked if there was any way he could have a discount. (correct)
- The customer asked if there was any means by which he could have a discount. (correct)
- The customer asked if there was any manner in which he could have a discount. (correct)
- The customer asked if there was anyway he could have a discount. (incorrect)
Using the above synonyms is a reliable way to check whether you need anyway or any way. But there is another shorter method we can use: if we replace any with in the, then we need to use any way – e.g. Sian can vote any way she wants can also be Sian can vote in the way she wants. However, this doesn’t always work – e.g. Teresa cannot find any way to solve the maths problem sounds strange as Teresa cannot find in the way to solve the maths problem (incorrect).
Try different synonyms in place of anyway and any way to see which ones are the best fit. Not all synonyms work in every sentence. If you get stuck with one, try another two or three. You could even try some of the synonyms below, but be careful because some of them need a different sentence structure – e.g. despite: Despite knowing his mum would be angry, David drew on the wall vs. anyway: David knew his mum would be angry, but he drew on the wall anyway.
What does anyway mean?
Anyway (adverb) means: ‘in any event’.
Synonyms: despite, in spite of, regardless, in any case, anyhow, nevertheless, notwithstanding, nonetheless.
Additional meanings:
- To return to a previous topic after a digression or interruption – e.g. Anyway, as I was saying earlier…
- To add an important additional fact – e.g. The house is ugly, and anyway the owner isn’t selling it.
Examples with anyway (adverb) in a sentence:
- My dad told me to stay home, but I’m going out anyway!
- I didn’t get invited to the party, but I don’t care anyway.
- John is too busy to go on holiday, and anyway doesn’t have money for a flight.
- Anyway, as I was saying before I was interrupted…
- Are you going to the party anyway, even though you didn’t get an invite?
Anyway (‘eniweɪ) and any way (eniw‘eɪ) sound similar, but are pronounced slightly differently. The stress is at the beginning of anyway and towards the end of any way.
What does any way mean?
Any way (phrase) means: ‘by any means or in any manner’.
Synonyms: By any means, in any manner, in one way or another, no matter how.
Examples with any way (phrase) in a sentence:
- Is there any way we can reschedule the meet to next week?
- I don’t know if there’s any way Liverpool can win the league after today’s defeat.
- I wonder if there’s any way we can stop climate change now.
- You can drive to the campsite any way you like.
- We need to fix the roof any way we can!
There are many other compound words in English. For example: everyday and every day. Everyday is an adjective that means ‘ordinary or commonplace’ – e.g. The Smiths lived on an everyday street in an everyday house. Every day is a phrase that means ‘each day’ – e.g. Jim goes running every day.
Another example is maybe and may be. Maybe is an adverb that means ‘perhaps or possibly’ – e.g. Maybe Susan didn’t mean to throw your sock in the bin. May be is a phrase in which may is a modal verb (like might or could) that joins together with the verb to be to talk about an uncertain possibility – e.g. This may be the manager’s last match with the team.
Quiz: Anyway or any way?
Try these exercises to test your understanding of the differences between anyway and any way. Remember, if you’re finding it hard, try substituting anyway and any way with a synonym. You could also try the ‘in the’ method. Anyway, we’re sure you’ll do well any way you try it!
- The waiter says you can have the steak cooked _______ you want?
a. anyway
b. any way - I know the music isn’t really Steve’s favourite, but he’ll enjoy the party _______.
a. anyway
b. any way - The food’s burned now ________, so don’t worry about coming back on time.
a. anyway
b. any way - Do you think there is _________ the doctor might be wrong about Geoff’s diagnosis?
a. anyway
b. any way - The car won’t start, and _________ it has a flat tyre.
a. anyway
b. any way - The art teacher told her students they could paint the fruit_________ they liked.
a. anyway
b. any way - Joe avoids doing his homework _______ he possibly can.
a. anyway
b. any way - Can you believe that American guy said “it doesn’t matter ________” twenty times in the meeting with the CEO? How unprofessional!
a. anyway
b. any way
c. anyways - ________, as I was saying before Patricia so rudely cut in…
a. anyway
b. any way - Tell Gemma to bring a coat_________ – the sky is looking quite cloudy.
a. anyway
b. any way
Answers:
- b)
- a)
- a)
- b)
- a)
- b)
- b)
- c)
- a)
- a)
Sam Savage is a TEFL-qualified English tutor and writer from England. After gaining his
TEFL qualification, he started teaching English in Spain in 2009. During this time, he also worked as an editor/translator for art organisations and publications in Madrid. He later returned home and graduated from the University of Gloucestershire with a MA in Critical and Creative Writing. In his free time, he enjoys all things cultural, especially writing fiction. Sam is also a published author.
