Anymore vs. No Longer

Attribute	Anymore	No Longer
Definition	At the present time or in the future	Not at the present time or in the future
Usage	Commonly used in American English	Commonly used in British English
Negative connotation	Can imply a sense of finality or resignation	Can imply a sense of loss or change

Definition

Both "anymore" and "no longer" are used to indicate that something that was true in the past is no longer true in the present. However, they are used in slightly different contexts and have different nuances in meaning.

Usage

"Anymore" is commonly used in American English to indicate a change in behavior or circumstances. For example, "I don't eat meat anymore" implies that the speaker used to eat meat but has stopped. On the other hand, "no longer" is more formal and is often used in written English or in more formal speech. For example, "I am no longer interested in pursuing a career in law" has a more final and definitive tone compared to "I don't want to be a lawyer anymore."

Position in a Sentence

"Anymore" is typically used at the end of a sentence, while "no longer" can be used at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. For example, "I don't go to that restaurant anymore" versus "No longer do I frequent that restaurant." The flexibility of "no longer" in sentence structure can add a more dramatic or formal tone to the statement.

Negation

Both "anymore" and "no longer" are used in negative sentences to indicate a change from a previous state. However, "anymore" is more commonly used in informal speech and is often associated with American English, while "no longer" is more formal and can be used in both British and American English. For example, "I don't watch TV anymore" versus "I no longer watch TV."

Emphasis

When used for emphasis, "no longer" tends to have a stronger impact than "anymore." The phrase "no longer" implies a more definitive and final break from the past, while "anymore" can sometimes carry a more casual or colloquial tone. For example, "I no longer trust him" has a stronger emphasis than "I don't trust him anymore."

Frequency

While both "anymore" and "no longer" are used to indicate a change from the past, "anymore" is more commonly used in everyday speech, especially in American English. On the other hand, "no longer" is often used in more formal contexts or in written English. The frequency of use can vary depending on the region and the formality of the situation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "anymore" and "no longer" are both useful expressions for indicating a change from a previous state. While they have similar meanings, they are used in slightly different contexts and carry different nuances in tone and formality. Understanding the differences between these two expressions can help you communicate more effectively in both spoken and written English.