Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 11 down vote favorite

For example, is it acceptable to say “Anyways, I love Stack Exchange" or should "anyway" always be used?

share|improve this question

2 Answers

up vote 11 down vote accepted

From Paul Brians’ book named "Common Errors in English Usage":

“Anyways” at the beginning of a sentence usually indicates that the speaker has resumed a narrative thread: “Anyways, I told Matilda that guy was a lazy bum before she ever married him.” It also occurs at the end of phrases and sentences, meaning “in any case“: “He wasn’t all that good-looking anyways.” A slightly less rustic quality can be imparted to these sentences by substituting the more formal anyway. Neither expression is a good idea in formal written English. The two-word phrase “any way” has many legitimate uses, however: “Is there any way to prevent the impending disaster?”

So you may prefer using "anyways" colloquially but "anyway" is a more formal way.

share|improve this answer
4  
Actually, that quote suggests to me that in formal English neither should be used. – JSBձոգչ Aug 14 '10 at 14:00
1  
You're right. I meant that "anyway" is better than "anyways" as it is referred to as more formal. – Mehper C. Palavuzlar Aug 14 '10 at 14:05
+1 for "A slightly less rustic quality…" :-) – ShreevatsaR Feb 25 '11 at 5:56
RE: Neither expression is a good idea in formal written English While not grammatically incorrect, using "Anyway", or "Anyways" in the beginning of a sentence, either written or verbal, is usually not the most concise way to write and does not add anything to the point. It is more of a filler word, such as "Because of the fact that" and is unnecessary. – Deb Jan 11 at 18:16
up vote -1 down vote

Any has to be followed by a singular noun. Anyways is grammatically inaccurate. Of course, dismissing a commonly used construct can be considered pedantry.

share|improve this answer
6  
I have to doubt your claim that “any” has to be followed by a singular noun. Do you think that the sentence “Do you have any questions?” is grammatically inaccurate? – Tsuyoshi Ito Nov 14 '10 at 23:31

protected by RegDwighт♦ Jan 11 at 19:16

This question is protected to prevent "thanks!", "me too!", or spam answers by new users. To answer it, you must have earned at least 10 reputation on this site.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.