The Tiger Lilies

For all my fellow writers out there, I am starting “Technical Tuesdays!” (Cheers and Applause resound.) Each Tuesday, I will post a helpful, technical writing tip. I will make these tips short and fun to read and all I ask in return is that you:

a.) use the tips

b.) forward the tips to your friends/really, I just want you to direct them to my blog

c.) feel free to suggest topics that you would like for me to cover on Technical Tuesdays. (I already have a request in the que for RSS feeds.)

And so it begins….this post marks the First Ever, Technical Tuesday.

Everyday or Every day?

As a technical writer, it is my job to understand how to correctly use the words, “every day” and “everyday.”  And almost every day, I see these words used incorrectly. In fact, the misuse of these words is an everyday occurrence in America. So you are in luck; you are going to learn how to use them correctly!

Here are the easy rules:

• Every day is used as an adverb.  This means that you should use two words to explain when you are going to do something. For example: I am going to watch the Ellen DeGeneres show every day.
• Everyday is used as an adjective. You should use one word if you are modifying a noun. For example: The Ellen DeGeneres Show has everyday people for audience members.

One business that really gets it right is Sonic Drive-Ins. I have been a fan of Sonic since my Pfizer days when I needed a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. (My favorite boss of all time, Mike, can attest to my obsession with Sonic.) Anyway, they serve delicious Diet Dr. Peppers every day for half price during Happy Hour. When do they sell them? Every day.

And, even if you go to Sonic in the morning or late at night, they have an “Everyday Value Menu” with items starting at $1. What kind of menu is it? An everyday value menu.

These are the rules, people. If you don’t believe me, check out The Associated Press Stylebook. Now you are equipped for everyday life. I expect you to use these phrases correctly every day. Unlike this poor twitterer, who was too wrapped up in Justin Bieber to get it right… Come on now, when do we listen to Justin Bieber? Every day.