Done with you

“I am not going to do anymore,” you wrote.

Well, I’m sorry you’ve come to the end of your rope.

But now that you’re writing me about your decision to make a significant change in your life, I’m afraid I have no choice but to point out a wee error.

• Anymore — a single word — can be used to mean still. (Bartender to wife on phone: “He isn’t here anymore.”)
  • (Obviously, you didn’t intend to say I am not going to do still.)

• Or, anymore can be used to mean nowadays. (Scientist to climate change denier: “Sorry, that species isn’t here anymore.”)
  • (You also didn’t intend to say I am not going to do nowadays.)

• Or, anymore can be used to mean from now on. (Scientist to climate change denier: “Sorry, that species isn’t going to be here anymore.”)
  • (You certainly didn’t intend to say I am not going to do from now on.)

If you’re not going to do any more, you have to break anymore into two words: ANY describes it, and MORE is what it is.

I could give you a technical explanation of the nouns, verbs, adverbs, etc., but it would give you a headache, and me too, and let me assure you, it wouldn’t be worth it.

I tried it once, with somebody else, and I’m not going to do it ANY MORE.