For Ever vs. Forever
“Forever” is the standard closed adverb in general English, while Cambridge also records the two-word “for ever” in UK English. The forms overlap in the adverbial sense; the closed form also has an attributive adjective use such as “forever home.”
Use “forever” as the broadly standard spelling. “For ever” is also established in UK English for the adverbial meaning “for all time”; keep the spelling consistent with your variety or house style.
Key details
Further guidance
Core difference
“Forever” is the broadly standard closed form; “for ever” is an established UK variant when the expression functions adverbially.
Fast Test
For international/general prose, “forever” is the safest default; retain “for ever” when following UK usage or a house style that prefers it.
Usage Boundary
Do not claim that “for ever” is universally wrong. The two-word form is dictionary-recorded in UK English, while adjective uses such as “forever home” require the closed form.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Forever — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct dictionary evidence that “forever” means for all time and that UK English also uses the two-word form “for ever.”