Any More on Anymore?: Evidence from a Missouri Dialect Survey

Data collected from questionnaires distributed to 926 U students over a 4-year period are analyzed to determine current usage of anymore in American Eng. Overall, almost all speakers accept anymore in yes/no questions (Do they sell these anymore?), negative declaratives (I don't cry much anymore), & hypothetical clauses (I wonder if they show those anymore). Usage in Mo, where the survey was conducted, is evenly divided concerning wh-questions (Where can you buy these anymore?) & affirmative declaratives (These are worthless anymore). Possible origins of the expression are considered & it is suggested that positive anymore is a relatively old form. 4 Figures, 24 References. B. Annesser Murray