Something, anything, nothing and everything
Somebody, anything, nowhere, everyone: words made with some, any, no and every, and one negative in a sentence.
Not sure A2 is your level? Find out in 8–40 questions, no account needed.
Some, any, no and every join with thing, body, one and where to make words for people, things and places that we don't name. They follow the same rules as some and any.
The words
Things | People | Places | |
|---|---|---|---|
some- | something | somebody, someone | somewhere |
any- | anything | anybody, anyone | anywhere |
no- | nothing | nobody, no one | nowhere |
every- | everything | everybody, everyone | everywhere |
-body and -one mean the same: somebody = someone. No one is two words (or no-one).
- Somebody left their umbrella here.
- I can't see my glasses anywhere.
- Everyone in my family likes cooking.
Some- in positive sentences
Use something, somebody, somewhere in positive sentences, as with some.
- There's something in my eye.
- Someone is waiting for you at the door.
- Let's go somewhere warm this winter.
We also use them in questions when we offer something or ask for something.
- Would you like something to drink?
- Can somebody help me with this box, please?
Any- in negatives and questions
Use anything, anybody, anywhere after not and in most questions.
- I didn't buy anything.
- Is there anybody at home?
- Did you go anywhere nice at the weekend?
- Incorrect: We didn't go somewhere at the weekend.
- Correct: We didn't go anywhere at the weekend.After not, use any-: anybody, anything, anywhere.
Any- in a positive sentence means "it doesn't matter which": Sit anywhere you like. Call me any time.
No-: one negative is enough
Nothing, nobody and nowhere already mean "not any". In standard English, a sentence has only one negative word, so don't use not with them. Choose: not ... anything, or nothing.
With not | With no- |
|---|---|
I don't know anything. | I know nothing. |
We didn't see anybody. | We saw nobody. |
There isn't anybody here. | There's nobody here. |
- Incorrect: I don't know nothing about it.
- Correct: I don't know anything about it.Don't and nothing are two negatives. Use one: don't + anything.
- Incorrect: Nobody didn't call.
- Correct: Nobody called.
In everyday speech, not ... anything is more common than nothing after a verb. Nobody and nothing at the start of a sentence are normal.
- Nobody knows the answer.
- Nothing happened.
Short answers
Nothing, nobody and nowhere are very common as one-word answers.
- "What did you buy?" "Nothing. The shops were closed."
- "Who did you see?" "Nobody."
- "Where are you going?" "Nowhere. I'm staying at home."
Everything and everybody: a singular verb
Everything, everybody and everyone mean "all", but the verb after them is singular, like the verb after he or she.
- Everybody is here. Let's start.
- Everything was fine.
- Does everyone know where to go?
- Incorrect: Everybody are tired.
- Correct: Everybody is tired.Everybody takes a singular verb: is, not are.
Something + adjective, something + to
An adjective goes after these words, not before. We can also add to + verb.
- I'd like to do something different this year.
- Is there anything interesting on TV?
- I need something to eat.
- Incorrect: Let's go to a quiet somewhere.
- Correct: Let's go somewhere quiet.The adjective comes after somewhere.