Confusing Words: Anyway and Anyways (adverb)
Meaning:
Anyway (adverb) is the standard, grammatically correct form. It is used to mean ‘in any case,’ ‘regardless,’ or ‘nevertheless.’ It also functions as a transitional word to resume a previous topic, change the subject, or conclude a conversation. Anyways (adverb) is a nonstandard, colloquial variant of anyway. While extremely common in informal speech, it is widely considered incorrect in formal and professional writing.

Anyway vs Anyways

Clarification: While these two words carry the same essential meaning, their roles are not interchangeable. Their primary difference lies in their level of formality and grammatical acceptance, making it crucial to know which one is appropriate for your audience.

Today’s post clarifies a subtle but important point in English vocabulary: the correct usage of anyway vs. anyways. This is a frequent area of confusion, especially for those mastering the finer points of written and spoken English, causing them to second-guess the right word for the right context.

So, I will clarify their definitions and provide example sentences to ensure you can use these words confidently and correctly.

Anyway vs. Anyways – Difference, Definition & Meaning?

Is it anyway or anyways?

When you encounter anyway and anyways, it’s easy to assume they are simple variations of each other. However, one is a standard, universally accepted word, while the other is an informal version that should be handled with care. Understanding this distinction is key to sounding polished and professional in your communication. Let’s break them down.

Anyway

For any form of writing, be it academic, professional, or even daily communication – anyway is always the correct choice. As a versatile adverb, anyway serves several important functions. It can be used to show contrast or concession (meaning “in spite of”), to resume or change the topic, or to bring a conversation to a close. It is the form recognized as standard English worldwide.

For example,

1. The weather forecast predicted rain, but we decided to go for a picnic anyway. (used to mean regardless)

2. I don’t have much time, but I wanted to call you anyway. (used to mean in any case)

3. Anyway, as I was explaining before the interruption, the project is due on Friday. (used to return to a topic)

4. It might not be the perfect solution, but it’s the best we have anyway. (used for emphasis)

Anyways

You should think of anyways as the informal cousin of anyway. While it is a recognized word, it carries a nonstandard label, meaning it is not considered appropriate for formal writing. Its use is almost entirely restricted to casual, spoken dialogue, particularly in North American English.

Using anyways in an essay or business email is similar to using slang—it signals a very informal tone that is often out of place. So, while you will hear it often in conversation, you should avoid putting it in writing.

1. My phone died, so I couldn’t call. Anyways, what have you been up to? (used informally to switch topics) 2. I told him it was a bad idea, but he did it anyways. (a colloquial alternative for ‘anyway’)

3. Anyways, I’m getting pretty hungry, so let’s order a pizza. (used to move a casual conversation forward)

Got the Difference?

It is clear now!

The rule is simple and effective: always use anyway in your writing. It is correct 100% of the time. Reserve anyways for your informal, spoken conversations with friends or family, if you choose to use it at all. When you need to be clear, correct, and professional, anyway is your only option.

• Anyway = Standard, formal, and correct for all writing.
• Anyways = Nonstandard, informal, and best for casual speech only.

What Did You Learn?

Do not let these two words trip you up. They are not interchangeable in a formal sense. Anyway is the universally accepted standard for all forms of communication. Anyways is an informal variant that signals casualness and should be kept out of your written work. If you are ever in doubt, the choice is simple: always use anyway.

Definition: Allusion is a literary device or a figure of speech which is used to refer to an expression outlined to give a direct or indirect reference to a thing, place, person, or an event (mainly political, religious, cultural, or historical).

Not only writers make use of this literary device, but allusion is often used by people in their daily speech as well. It is just an expression which does not include any details of the passing reference. That is why; the readers must be knowledgeable enough to point out the allusion that has been used by the writer or the speaker.

For instance, if someone says ‘I was amazed when I saw him acting like a Romeo.’ it means that the speaker is referring to Romeo from Shakespeare’s tragedy ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ Romeo secretly loved Juliet and married her.

If a write does not have much knowledge about the political, religious, or historical events, then he/she does not be able to get the importance of that particular event used within a text.

Types of Allusion

Allusions enrich a text by drawing connections to well-known events, figures, or concepts. These references can take various forms, including historical, literary, mythological, and cultural allusions. Each type serves a unique purpose and can deepen the reader’s understanding of the work. Below are the main types of allusions, along with examples to illustrate their usage.

Historical Allusion

Historical allusions reference significant events, figures, or periods from history. By invoking these references, writers can create parallels between past and present situations, enhancing the narrative’s meaning.

Example: “Crossing the Rubicon”
This phrase alludes to Julius Caesar’s decision to cross the Rubicon River in 49 BCE, which led to a civil war in Rome. It signifies a point of no return and is often used to describe a decisive and irreversible action. For instance, a character in a modern novel might say, “By quitting my job without a backup plan, I’ve crossed the Rubicon.”

Literary Allusion

Literary allusions refer to other works of literature, authors, or characters, allowing writers to establish connections with well-known narratives or themes. This type of allusion can enhance characterization or underscore particular themes within a new text.

Example: “He’s a real Gatsby”
This phrase refers to Jay Gatsby, the protagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. It evokes images of wealth, longing, and the pursuit of the American Dream. When someone describes a character as “a real Gatsby,” they imply that the person is wealthy, mysterious, and perhaps driven by unrequited love, similar to Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy Buchanan.

Mythological Allusion

Mythological allusions draw on figures, stories, and themes from ancient myths, providing depth and resonance to a text. These references can convey complex ideas about human nature, morality, and the divine.

Example: “He has the strength of Hercules”
This allusion refers to Hercules, a hero in Greek mythology known for his incredible strength and heroic feats. When a writer states that a character has “the strength of Hercules,” they suggest that the character possesses extraordinary physical power or resilience, thereby elevating the character’s attributes in the reader’s mind.

Cultural Allusion

Cultural allusions reference elements of popular culture, including movies, music, art, and social phenomena. These allusions can create relatable connections for the audience, often evoking shared experiences or collective memories.

Example: “This is a real Cinderella story”
This phrase refers to the fairy tale of Cinderella, which symbolizes transformation and triumph against adversity. When used in a modern context, it suggests that someone has risen from humble beginnings to achieve great success, similar to Cinderella’s journey from a mistreated servant to a princess.

Check Out: Allusion vs Illusion.

Why Writers use Allusion?

Writers use allusions very cleverly to convey their desired meanings to the readers. This is the reason that the readers should be aware of every literary event because, most of the times, writers do use allusion indirectly.

Authors love to describe something that has been passed away. That is why allusion is very much preferred by the writers to write down their old memories in a secret manner.

Other than the above discussion, the use of allusion can make a text rich. It means that readers enjoy a content that is rich in referencing. If a reader is reading a story and there comes an allusion, then the reader would get much more indulged in the story.

For instance, if a writer is describing something good and bad, he/she can relate the story to Adam and Eve. By alluding to Adam and Eve, the readers will automatically get an idea about what the writer is trying to convey his thoughts about good and evil.

Sometimes, writers want to challenge their readers by giving many references in literature to make their writings more complex. So, if you are not a knowledgeable writer so; there is an advice for you to start doing a great study and research and solve your writers’ puzzles.

A Few Famous Allusions used in Literature

1. ‘All night the dread less Angel unpursu’d…’

The above example sentence is taken from Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’, in which ‘dread less Angel’ is allusion which is a reference to a fearless angel named ‘Abdiel’.

2. ‘The little cage of ‘Currer Bell’ / In quiet ‘Haworth’ laid.’

The above example sentence is taken from Emily Dickinson’s poem ‘All Overgrown by Cunning Moss, in which ‘Currer Bell’ is a direct reference to a writer named ‘Charlotte Bronte’.

3. ‘Where, sitting in a chariot burning bright…’

Chariot burning bright’ refers to ‘god Apollo’. According to a Greek myth, god Apollo drives the sun in his chariot.

What Did You Learn?

Allusion is an expression typically used to give reference, either direct or indirect, to a place, thing, person, or an event. Readers should be knowledgeable enough to point out an allusion cleverly used by the writers.