Confusing Words: Anytime (adverb) and Any Time (phrase)
Meaning:
Anytime (at any time; regardless of hour, date, etc.; whenever.)
Any Time (any amount of time.)
Anytime vs Any Time Clarification: The word ‘anytime’ and the phrase ‘any time’ are not interchangeable.

Anytime vs Any Time – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

English is an advance language. You can make choices between words that are used interchangeably. But, it is necessary to chooce most suitable words for your writing, otherwise, the critics will never leave you.

We hear the word ‘anytime’ almost daily. It is a frequent term. But there comes a question, is the correct word anytime or any time?

The main problem often comes for the writers who face difficulties in choosing the correct word which should be suitable for their writings.

If we observe our today’s case, we will come to know that there is a word (anytime) and a phrase (any time). In most of the formal writings, you can see the phrase, ‘any time’, has been used by the writers.

Let us discuss each term separately. In this way, you can easily get the differences between anytime vs. any time.

Anytime

According to The Oxford Dictionary, the word ‘anytime’ is a variant of omitted unresolving XREF to ‘any time’. On the other side, The Merriam Webster Dictionary says that the word ‘anytime’ is an adverb that means ‘at any time’ or ‘at any time whatever’.

It means that The Oxford Dictionary does not support the word ‘anytime’. It is said that this particular word is Americanism. Mostly, it can be seen in American texts.

1. I can go anytime I want.

2. You can call me anytime but not at night.

In short, you can use the word ‘anytime’ as an adverb only, that will give the meaning as ‘whenever’.

Any Time

This phrase is said to be more formal than the word ‘anytime’. You can use this term without any hesitation because it can give the most authentic meaning to your text.

The phrase ‘any time’ is a noun phrase. Most of the dictionaries define any time as ‘at whatever time’. If you want to refer a particular amount of time, your choice should be the noun phrase ‘any time’.

1. Can we go any time today to the China Mall for shopping?

2. You have to find out any time for your friends.

3. Don’t forget to call me any time you want.

Check Out: The Difference Between Anymore and Any More.

An Important Point

I want to tell you one very important point. If you want to make a prepositional phrase, then the phrase ‘any time’ should be used. In this way, any time always followed by the preposition ‘at’. You cannot use ‘at’ with the word ‘anytime’. If you want to use the word ‘anytime’, then you have to remove the preposition ‘at’ from the sentence.

For example,

1. You can call me at any time you choose. (Correct)
2. You can call me at anytime you choose. (Wrong)
3. You can call me anytime you choose. (Correct)

What Did You Learn?

The word ‘anytime’ and the phrase ‘any time’ are not interchangeable. Anytime is used as an adverb which is a variant of ‘any time’.

The phrase ‘any time’ is a noun phrase which is used to refer any particualr amount of time. It is always followed by the preposition ‘at’ when used adverbially.

Confusing Words: Avenge (verb) and Revenge (verb/noun)
Meaning:
Avenge (to take vengeance for or on behalf of.)
Revenge (the action of hurting or harming someone in return for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands.)
Clarification: Avenge and revenge are likely to say two words depicting two different ideas.

Avenge vs Revenge – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

As you can see that the above words are not completely homophones. However, they have –avenge as a common sound. The initial sounds are different in both of these words. Besides pronunciations, meanings of these words also differ.

So, why people feel confusion in getting avenge and revenge?

The answer is their meanings. The meanings of both avenge and revenge are similar enough to create confusion. It is important for the writers to keep these words apart because they do mean same things but with a slight difference.

Let us remove the confusion by defining each term separately and correctly.

Avenge

This particular word is used as a verb within sentences. Avenge means to punish someone in order to enact justice.

1. The man was seeking to avenge the murder of his only sister.

2. He was avenged his friend’s discomfort by seeing that the naughty boys got expelled from school.

3. A cheated husband does not need to avenge his wife. Her lover will do that. (Etienne Ray)

So, you see that avenge is to seek justice. You have heard or watched the film ‘The Avengers’. There is a team of superheroes who gives their services to everyone to make peace on Earth. You can remember the verb ‘avenge’ from The Avengers.

Revenge

This particular word is used as a verb or a noun. Revenge means retaliation, reprisal or vengeance. Revenge can be taken as more personal. It has nothing to do with justice. The only intention is to pay back by giving harm to someone.

1. He was seeking revenge for his sister’s murder and he wished to give same pain to the killer. (as a noun)

2. His way to revenge his discomfort was so lethal. (as a verb)

3. Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand, blood and revenge are hammering in my head. (William Shakespeare) (as a noun)

Got the Difference?

So from the above discussion, the difference between avenge and revenge has been cleared. You avenge to punish someone but your intention is to seek justice. You want to teach a lesson to someone who hurt someone else. Revenge can be dangerous sometimes. It is more like a personal satisfaction because it has no concerns with justice.

Avenge = To Enact Justice

Revenge = A Personal Satisfaction

What Did You Learn?

Avenge and revenge are likely to say two words depicting two different ideas. To keep the writings clear and understandable, you have to be excellent in word choice. Avenge means to punish someone in order to enact justice whereas, revenge means retaliation, reprisal or vengeance.

Confusing Words: Assume (verb) and Presume (verb)
Meaning:
Assume (suppose to be the case, without proof.)
Presume (suppose that something is the case on the basis of probability.)
Clarification: Assume and presume are based on same meanings but there is a minor difference between the meanings of both words.

Assume vs Presume – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

Both assume and presume are correct to use within sentences. They have quite similar meanings but not completely. There is a minor difference between them and you should have enough idea when to use assume and presume within a text. In this way, you can write better. You have an idea about the verb ‘suppose’. Both assume and presume are closely related to this verb ‘suppose’.

I will let you know that minor difference between assume and presume. I will use each word in sentences to show you the usage of each word. Continue reading to clear up your minds!

Assume

This particular word is used as a verb within sentences. Assume means to suppose something but in this case, you have no proof for your supposition. You are just supposing or hoping that whatever you are thinking is might be true.

1. People were assuming that the thief is my friend.

2. I assumed you as a doctor but you are, in fact, a professor.

3. If we assume we have arrived: We stop searching, we stop developing. (Jocelyn Bell Burnell)

People mostly assume anything and get into an argument. They have no surety or proof and they make believe themselves against an action.

Presume

Presume can also be used as a verb within a sentence. Presume means to suppose something on the basis of probability or possibility. This supposition can also be without proof but there is enough evidence or there is possibility of something to be happened.

1. There was a horrible catastrophe so, everyone presumed that the village had been destroyed.

2. They didn’t give even a single thing to eat. I presume you are hungry now.

3. Everyone’s entitled to express their political beliefs. I don’t presume to tell everybody who to vote for. I am comfortable telling people what my opinions are. (Ben Afflick)

Got the Difference?

I hope that from the above discussion the difference between assume and presume has been cleared. To assume is to suppose something but you do not have any proof for your supposition. To presume is also to suppose but in this case, there is possibility or probability. You are making a guess while assuming that is why people will feel something crazy about you. On the other side, there is nothing crazy in presuming because it is usually right.

What Did You Learn?

Assume and presume are based on same meanings but there is a minor difference between the meanings of both words. To assume is to suppose without any proof or evidence. To presume,on the other hand, is to suppose based on some possibility or probability.

Confusing Words: Astronomy (noun) and Astrology (noun)
Meaning:
Astronomy (the branch of science that deals with celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole.)
Astrology (the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects.)
Astronomy vs Astrology Clarification: Both astronomy and astrology are different from each other in terms of meanings

Astronomy vs Astrology – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

The reason behind the confusion between astronomy and astrology is that both of these words are related to study. The study of almost same things. However, there is a difference in the style of both of these subjects. One word is related to the scientific research while the other one is, somehow, a belief.

Let us find out the differences between astronomy and astrology separately.

Astronomy

This particular word is used as a noun within sentences. Astronomy means a scientific study. It is the study of those bodies that are outside of the atmosphere of the earth. For instance, stars, planets planetoid, asteroid etc.

1. There are a variety of heavenly objects to study in the field of astronomy.

2. I love to study astronomy in order to discover new divine bodies present outside the earth’s atmosphere.

3. Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another. (Plato)

Astrology

This particular word is also used as a noun within sentences. Astrology is more than a study. It is, in fact, the belief that the movement of the heavenly bodies outside the earth’s atmosphere has an influence on human’s life and the earth. Astrology originated in the late 1600.

You can say that the study of astrology is regarded as a pseudoscience. Now, even the professionals used to take advice from astrologers in order to make their lives better. Astrologers predict the future events on the basis of the movements of celestial bodies situated outside this globe.

1. Many people don’t believe in astrology.

2. Some professionals say that the study of astrology is based on assumptions.

3. Astrology is a language. If you understand this language, the sky speaks to you. (Dane Rudhyar)

Difference

As you have read that there is a clear difference between astronomy and astrology. Astronomy is, no doubt, a scientific study.

Astrology is said to be a belief in which astrologers examine or more likely to say assume the influence of the movements of heavenly bodies that are present outside of the earth’s atmosphere. You have heard about the zodiac signs like Leo, Libra, Virgo, Aries etc. These signs are a result of the study of astrology.

Astrology is a Pseudoscience

Astronomy is a Natural Science

What Did You Learn?

Both astronomy and astrology are different from each other in terms of meanings. The only similarity is that they both are related to the study of celestial bodies.

Astronomy is the study of natural science in which celestial bodies that are outside of the earth’s atmosphere are studied scientifically.

Astrology, on the other hand, is a pseudoscience in which people have a belief that the movement of celestial bodies has a direct influence on the earth and human’s life.

Confusing Words: Bare (adjective/verb) and Bear (noun/verb)
Meaning:
Bare (without covering or clothing; naked)
Bear (carry the weight of; support.)
Bare vs Bear Clarification: The two words are pronounced in a similar manner but both have very different meanings.

Bare vs Bear – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

Confusing words such as bare vs. bear are, sometime, very hard to understand. In this post, I will explain the difference between bare and bear. It is very important to keep them apart.

Like the other homophones, bare and bear has same pronunciation but they are spelled differently. Furthermore, their meanings and usage within sentences also differ. They cannot be interchangeable.

Let us define each term separately so that you can easily get the difference between both of these confusing words.

Bare

This particular word is used as an adjective or a verb within sentences. As an adjective, bare means not covered or unclothed. While as a verb, it means to expose or to uncover.

1. Please, don’t walk on the floor with bare feet. (as an adjective)

2. I was scared when the dog bared its teeth and turned to me. (as a verb)

3. I cannot bare my head outside home. (as a verb)

Bear

Bear has two different meanings. The word ‘bear’ can be used as a noun or a verb within sentences.

As a noun, bear is used to refer a large and strong mammal covered with thick fur. They are mostly found in colder areas (in the woods). For example,

1. I was very scared when I encountered a large black bear in the woods.

As a verb, bear means to tolerate something terrible; to hold something; give birth; to produce fruit, flower or plants. For example,

1. I can’t bear this kind of awful attitude in my class.

2. I hope that the tree will bear fruits in the coming season.

The three tenses of bear are; bear (present), bore (past), borne (past participle). For instance, she had borne four children.

What Did You Learn?

Bear and bare are two different words that cannot be interchangeable. Furthermore, Bear is used as a noun or a verb within sentences.

Bear: As a noun, it is used to refer a mammal and as a verb, it means to tolerate or to hold something.
Bare: It is used as an adjective or a verb within sentences. In both cases, bare is used to refer of being uncovered or exposed.