Anywho vs. Any Who – Which is Correct?

Both “anywho” and “any who” are correct, but they serve different purposes. “Anywho” is an informal adverb or conversational transition meaning “anyhow” or “anyway.” “Any who” is a two-word phrase referring to any person who meets a condition. Choose based on meaning, tone, and sentence structure in each context and audience.

Anywho or Any Who – Which Is Correct?

Both “anywho” and “any who” are correct, but they are not interchangeable. Anywho is an informal word used to change the subject, return to a previous point, or dismiss a minor detail. It usually means anyway or anyhow.

Any who consists of two separate words. In this phrase, any modifies who, and the expression refers to any person or people who meet a particular condition. In many sentences, anyone who or any person who sounds more natural.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

Use the anyway test: if you can replace the expression with anyway or anyhow, write anywho as one word. If who refers to people and introduces a description or condition, write any who as two words.

For example, “Anywho, let’s begin” means “Anyway, let’s begin.” However, “Any who arrive late must wait outside” means “Any people who arrive late must wait outside.”

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
anywho	Informal adverb or interjection	Anyway; anyhow	Anywho, where were we?
any who	Determiner and relative pronoun	Any person or people who meet a condition	Any who disagree may leave.

How to Use Anywho

Anywho is an informal conversational word meaning anyway or anyhow. Speakers often use it to move past an interruption, redirect a conversation, summarize a point, or return to the main topic. It commonly appears at the beginning of a sentence and is usually followed by a comma.

The word has a casual, playful, and sometimes humorous tone. It is suitable for relaxed conversations, text messages, personal blogs, and informal dialogue. Avoid it in formal reports, academic essays, legal documents, and professional correspondence unless you are intentionally reproducing a speaker’s informal style.

Example 1: Anywho, let’s get back to the project.

Example 2: The delivery was late, but anywho, everyone eventually received the materials.

Example 3: Anywho, I should let you go before dinner gets cold.

Etymology of the Word Anywho

Anywho is an informal American English formation modeled on anyhow and influenced by the conversational use of anyway. The ending -who gives the word a deliberately lighthearted or playful sound. It became especially recognizable through casual speech, humor, regional usage, and popular media.

How to Use Any Who

Any who is a two-word construction in which any modifies the relative pronoun who. It means “any person who” or “any people who.” The phrase introduces a condition, action, or characteristic that applies to members of a group.

Although grammatically correct, any who can sound formal, literary, or slightly unusual in everyday English. In many contexts, anyone who, anybody who, or any person who is clearer and more natural.

Example 1: Any who wish to participate should register before Friday.

Example 2: The program welcomes any who have experience in community service.

Example 3: Any who violate the rules may lose access to the facility.

Etymology of the Words Any Who

The phrase any who combines the indefinite determiner any with the relative pronoun who. Any developed from Old English forms associated with “one” or “some,” while who comes from the Old English interrogative and relative pronoun hwā. Together, the words retain their separate grammatical functions.

Related Concepts

Understanding word spacing, sentence function, and conversational tone makes the difference between anywho and any who easier to recognize.

• Contractions and compounds: English sometimes combines words into informal compounds, but a similar sound does not automatically justify joining two words. Anywho functions as an established informal word, while any who remains a grammatical phrase.
• Relative pronouns: In any who qualify, who introduces a relative clause describing people who qualify.
• Discourse markers: Words such as anyway, however, and well can connect ideas or redirect conversation. Anywho often performs this conversational role.
• Register: Register refers to the level of formality used in language. Anywho belongs mainly to casual speech, whereas any who may appear in formal announcements or literary writing.

Examples from Media and Literature

The following examples illustrate the two meanings in common media, narrative, and public-language contexts:

• Informal dialogue: A character might say, “Anywho, what are we doing tonight?” to move the conversation to a new topic.
• Comedy and sitcom writing: A humorous character may use “anywho” to sound eccentric, cheerful, or unconcerned after telling a long story.
• Personal blogs and podcasts: A host may say, “Anywho, back to today’s main subject,” when returning from an aside.
• Formal notices: A policy might state, “Any who fail to comply may be removed,” meaning any people who fail to comply.
• Historical or literary prose: A narrator may write, “Any who entered the chamber did so at their own risk,” using the two-word phrase to create a formal tone.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence.

1. _____ , I need to finish my homework before we go out.
2. _____ wish to apply must submit a completed form.
3. The conversation became confusing, but _____, we reached an agreement.
4. _____ arrive after the doors close will not be admitted.
5. _____ , let’s return to the question we were discussing.

Answer Key

1. Anywho
2. Any who
3. anywho
4. Any who
5. Anywho

Anywho Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
anyway	Used to return to a topic, change direction, or indicate that something remains true.
anyhow	In any case or regardless of circumstances.
in any event	Regardless of what has happened or may happen.
at any rate	Used to summarize, limit, or redirect a discussion.

Any Who Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
anyone who	Any person who meets a stated condition.
anybody who	Any individual who meets a stated condition; usually conversational.
any person who	A clear and formal alternative to “any who.”
whoever	The person or people who meet a particular condition or make a particular choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “anywho” a real word?
Yes. Anywho is an established informal word meaning anyway or anyhow. It is most appropriate in casual conversation and informal writing.

Question 2: Is “anywho” formal English?
No. Although it is a recognized word, anywho has a casual, conversational tone. Use anyway, however, or in any case in formal or professional writing.

Question 3: When should I write “any who” as two words?
Write any who as two words when it means “any person who” or “any people who,” as in “Any who disagree may submit an appeal.”

Conclusion

Anywho and any who are both correct, but they have different grammatical functions. Use anywho as an informal substitute for anyway or anyhow. Use any who when referring to people who meet a condition. Pro tip: In professional writing, choose the clearer and more formal alternative when possible to protect your credibility and reputation.