The spelling of "any more" can cause confusion as it can be written as one word ("anymore") or two separate words ("any more"). The two-word spelling is more commonly used in British English, while the one-word spelling is more common in American English. Phonetically, "any more" can be transcribed as /ˈeni mɔː(r)/ in British English and /ˌɛni ˈmɔr/ in American English. Both pronunciations feature a stressed first syllable and a long vowel sound in the second syllable.
The term "any more" is an adverbial phrase commonly used to convey a comparison or contrast of situations between two points in time. It indicates a change or cessation in the state, condition, or frequency of something, emphasizing that what was previously happening or available is no longer the case or has been altered in some way.
In its most basic sense, "any more" denotes a negation of continuation, suggesting that a particular action, event, or circumstance has ceased to occur or be valid. It implies a shift from a previous state or behavior to a different one, typically serving to highlight a contrast or transformation. This phrase often arises in contexts where there is a desire to emphasize the difference between a past and present condition.
Furthermore, "any more" can also be employed to convey a change in a qualitative aspect. It signifies a shift in the degree or quantity of something, indicating that what was previously true or present is no longer so. It manifests as a noticeable alteration in the intensity, amount, or importance of a specific attribute or element.
Overall, "any more" functions as an adverbial expression that underscores a comparison or contrast between conditions of the past and present. It effectively showcases a transition or break in the continuity of a situation, whether it involves a halt in an action, a transformation in state, or a change in quantity or quality.
The phrase "any more" has roots in Old English and Middle English. The word "any" comes from the Old English "ǣnig", meaning "one" or "some", and "more" comes from the Old English "māra", meaning "greater" or "additional". In Middle English, "anymore" developed as a compound word to indicate "any longer" or "from now on". Over time, it transformed into the modern usage of "anymore" as a stand-alone adverb meaning "any longer" or "nowadays".