The Grammar Doctor

Q. Can you explain the traditional rule for when to write sometime as not one but two words, i.e. some time.

A. Words like anyone, everyone, and somone are spelled as one word unless they mean "one of a number of things." Every one of us (each person in the group) thought it was a terrible idea. But: Everyone wanted to do it anyway. Some time and sometime donb't fit into that pattern. Sometime is an adverb meaning at some unspecificied time. I will see you sometime after the break. Some time refers to a period of time. Will you have some time to see me this weekend?


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