Anyplace vs. Any Place – How to Use Each Correctly

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anyplace versus any place

What’s the Difference Between Anyplace and Any Place?

Anyplace and any place have the same pronunciation, with the exception of a short pause between the words any and place in any place.

Anyplace is an adverb that means a single, non-specific place. It is a non-standard synonym for anywhere. Therefore, it is inappropriate to use anyplace in formal writing.

  • I am not sure where I want to live. Anyplace would be fine. (use anywhere instead)

Any place is a two-word expression. Any is an adjective that modifies place, which is a noun. It means a non-specific location.

  • Any place that has vegetarian options is a good choice for the party.

Let’s look at how to use, and not use, these words in context.

Using Anyplace in a Sentence

When to use anyplace: Anyplace is synonymous with anywhere. However, anyplace is considered informal at best and incorrect at worst. Therefore, use anywhere rather than anyplace. If you hear someone else use anyplace, know that the person is using it as an adverb to mean a singular, indeterminate location.

For example:

  • My cat loves to walk anyplace in the neighborhood that has good hunting grounds. (use anywhere instead)
  • People find this special type of rock anyplace that has volcanic activity. (use anywhere instead)
  • Fisherman will go anyplace the fish are biting. (use anywhere instead)

The similar words everyplace and noplace are also non-standard English, and should be avoided in writing. However, the two-word expressions any place, every place, and no place are all perfectly acceptable in standard English.

Using Any Place in a Sentence

When to use any place: Any place is a short phrase consisting of an adjective and a noun. It means a single spot, or location, of which the exact one is not important.

For example:

  • I like any place with fresh air and a warm climate.
  • I travel to any place with beautiful beaches.
  • Any place with cherry blossoms will be a good spot for the wedding.

Any comes from Middle English, from before the mid 900’s, and means one. Place also originated before the mid 900’s, from the Latin word for area.

Remembering Anyplace vs. Any Place

Only one of the above terms is correct. You can use some grammatical information to help you remember which one of them is the correct one.

Any place is two words, which makes sense because any is an adjective describing a noun, place.

Anywhere cannot be split into two words, because then the adjective any would be describing an adverb, where. Since adjectives always describe nouns, and never adverbs, you know that the two word form of any place is correct. By that same logic, anywhere can only be one word. Since anyplace is the non-standard synonym of anywhere, you can remember to only use anywhere.

Outside Examples

  • Just about everything on the menu is gussied up in this creative fashion and just about everything sounds good. But the reason for a first visit to the Hi-Lo is not for a new way to try old dishes, it’s for the new dishes you won’t see anyplace else. –USA Today
  • Janice Sellis, 40, of North Center, who was ticketed for distracted driving on Wells Street in 2010, said it is interesting that police are not writing tickets now, “because they need money anyplace they can get it.” –Chicago Tribune
  • “The guide will advise gay people to be cautious in any place which is not seen to be welcoming to the LGBT community,” FARE executive director Piara Powar said. –New York Daily News
  • When you travel, you learn more about yourself than any place you visit,” observes a character in Tom Jacobson’s “Walking to Buchenwald,” now in its premiere by Open Fist Theatre Company in Atwater Village. –LA Times

Quiz: Anyplace vs. Any Place

Instructions: Fill in the blank with the correct word, either anyplace or any place.

  1. I’ll follow you to _______________ you’d like to go.
  2. They like a challenge so they try to go biking ____________ with steep hills.
  3. __________________ with good cuisine sounds like a good place to visit on vacation.

See answers below.

Article Summary

Should I use anyplace or any place? Only one of these two terms is acceptable in standard English.

  • Anyplace is non-standard English that comes from putting the two words any and place together to make a single word. The standard English synonym that you should use instead is anywhere.
  • Any place means in an unspecified area.

In short, anyplace is incorrect, so don’t use it. Any place is fine to use.

Answers

  1. any place
  2. any place
  3. Any place