meta[lenguaje]

Dr. Karla M. Ayala Lebrón, English Specialist

---

One common mistake in English is mixing up “anyway” and “anyways.” The correct word to use is “anyway.” Although you might hear “anyways” in casual conversations, it’s not proper English, and you should avoid it in formal writing or professional speaking.

Here’s how to use “anyway” correctly and avoid common errors:

1. Returning to the Main Topic: A mistake some people make is not knowing how to bring a conversation back on track. “Anyway” is perfect for this. If you’ve wandered off-topic, you can say, “Anyway, as I was saying…” to refocus the discussion.

2. When Something Happens Despite an Obstacle: Another mistake is not using “anyway” to show persistence despite a challenge. For example, “It was raining, but we went to the park anyway.” This usage highlights that the rain didn’t stop your plans.

3. Saying Something Isn’t Important: People sometimes miss the chance to downplay the importance of something by not using “anyway.” If someone says, “I didn’t really like the movie,” you might respond, “Well, it wasn’t that great anyway.” Using “anyway” here emphasizes that the movie’s quality isn’t very important.

4. Wrapping Up or Summarizing: Lastly, some learners miss the opportunity to use “anyway” to conclude or summarize. For instance, “Anyway, that’s all I had to say about that.” It’s a neat way to finish your thoughts and move on to the next topic.

By understanding these common mistakes and how to correct them, you can use “anyway” more confidently and accurately in your English conversations and writing.

Keep practicing, and you’ll avoid these errors in no time!