anyway

[navi]

Which are correct if the intended meaning is 'I couldn't do it in any manner whatsoever'.

1) I couldn't do it any way.
2) I couldn't do it in any way.
3) I couldn't do it anyway.

Which are correct if the intended meaning is 'I will do it in any manner possible'.

4) I will do it any way.
5) I will do it in any way.
6) I will do it anyway.

Gratefully,
Navi

[tony h]

1,2 and 4

[Phil White]

"Anyway", written together and used at the end of an utterance pretty well always means "in any case", so sentences 3 and 6 certainly don't mean what you intend.

Because it is almost impossible to clearly enunciate "notwithstanding" as two separate words when speaking, sentences 1 and 4 are unlikely to be used in speech, and so they also read a little strangely when written.

Sentence 2 probably works, but it would be much more natural to extend it: "... in any way at all".
Sentence 5 would also possibly work, but again, something like "... in any way I can" would sound far more natural.

[navi]

Thank you both very much,

How about:

3a) I couldn't do it anyhow.

6a) I will do it anyhow.


Could 'anyhow' mean 'in any way' in these sentences? To me it means the same as 'anyway', and has only that meaning.

Gratefully,
Navi

[Phil White]

I have the sense that "anyhow" is far more common in American than in British English, although I am not sure. It can also carry the meaning of "untidy" or "random" (her books were stacked on the shelves anyhow").

In the context you quote, it sounds mighty odd to me, but perhaps it would pass muster in the States...

[Erik_Kowal]

I have the sense that "anyhow" is far more common in American than in British English, although I am not sure. It can also carry the meaning of "untidy" or "random" (her books were stacked on the shelves anyhow").

In the context you quote, it sounds mighty odd to me, but perhaps it would pass muster in the States...

Having lived there for a decade and a half, I'm confident that most Americans would not find it out of place in both senses (i.e. in any manner / in an untidy way).

[navi]

Thank you both very very much,

So at the end of the day, 'anyhow' might have three meanings in those sentences as far as I can tell! It could have the two meanings Erik mentions and it could also be the equivalent of 'anyway'. It does have that meaning too.

Gratefully,
Navi