Usage: anybody nobody somebody. Indefinite pronouns in English

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Somebody has killed him. - Someone killed him.

Someone still loves you. - Someone still loves you.

She knows something about it. “She knows something about it.”

Would you like something to eat? – Would you like something to eat?

Why didn't you ask somebody to show you the way to the hospital? – Why didn’t you ask someone to show you how to get to the hospital?

Does anybody believe him? – Does anyone believe him?

I didn't tell anyone about our relations. – I didn’t tell anyone about our relationship.

If anyone agrees to sign this contract, I will resign. – If someone agrees to sign this contract, I will quit.

Is there anything to drink? - Is there anything to drink?

After such indefinite pronouns as somebody And anybody, we don't use of. If we want to convey the phrase “one of us,” we say one of us. If we want to convey the phrase “any of us,” we say any of us.

Yes, pronouns derived from any, can mean “any”, “any”, “anything” in affirmative sentences and questions. For example:

Anyone can run fast. - Anyone can run fast.

I would do anything for love (but I won’t do that). – I would do anything for love (but I won’t do that).

There are two more pronouns in this group that we haven't talked about. These are the words somewhere And anywhere, which are translated “somewhere”, “somewhere”, “somewhere”, “somewhere”, “somewhere”.

She is somewhere in Sydney. - She's somewhere in Sydney.

Is there a shop anywhere? – Is there a store somewhere?

Often after indefinite pronouns derived from some And any, you may discover else or, expressed. And one more thing: these pronouns can be used without problems in .

Tell me something curious. - Tell me something interesting.

Does anybody else find this woman attractive? “Does anyone else think this woman is attractive?”

The burglar broke into somebody's house. – A burglar broke into someone’s house.

I'll never be anybody's hero. “I will never be anyone’s hero.”

Pronouns derived from no: nobody, no one, nothing, nowhere

Like the indefinite pronouns of the previous section, these negative pronouns are formed by combining no with words body, one, thing, where. And they are translated accordingly: no one, nothing, nowhere. Being pronoun-nouns, these words are used in sentences only with a verb in the affirmative form, since according to the rules, in English language Double negatives are not allowed. But this axiom is being questioned. You can read more about double negation and its admissibility in the article “”.

Nobody knows him. - Nobody knows him.

No one lives forever. - Nobody lives forever.

I have nothing to hide from you. “I have nothing to hide from you.”

This conversation is getting us nowhere. - This conversation will lead us nowhere (nowhere).

Note that these pronouns require a third person singular verb as a subject. And after these negative pronouns we do not put of. If we want to say “none of us”, we choose – none of us. And if we are talking about only two persons, a suitable option is neither of us.

None of us is perfect. - Nobody's perfect.

Neither of them knows the truth. “They both don’t know the truth.”

By the way, the pronoun none also works as a pronoun-noun. It can replace in an English sentence.

You have money and I have none. – You have money, but I don’t.

She bought a lot of toys and he bought none. “She bought a lot of toys, but he didn’t buy any.”

Pronoun all

But this indefinite pronoun in English can be both a noun pronoun and an adjective pronoun. And in a sentence its functions are as follows: subject, object, definition.

When we work with pronoun-adjective all, we use it to mean “everything” (countable nouns, plural) and to mean “all”, “all”, “everything” (uncountable nouns). If this pronoun has , or , then their placement is after all.

I remember all the things she said. “I remember everything she said.”

It can't rain all the time. – It can’t rain all the time.

If we are working with a singular countable noun and want to convey the meaning “all”, we use the pronoun instead all we usually use a combination the whole. By the way, if there are words morning, day, night, as well as other time symbols, we have the right to use all, And wholesale.

The whole city is going crazy. - The whole city is going crazy.

The birds were singing all the morning (the whole morning). - The birds sang all morning.

When we work with a pronoun-noun all, we use it to mean “all”, “everything”:

They all deserve to die. “They all deserve to die.”

I think we are all doomed “I think we're all doomed.”

You have all read this book. – You have all read this book.

We must all take responsibility. “We all have to be responsible.”

They have all been knighted. “They were all knighted.”

Who should do it? – Who should do this?
–We all should. - All of us.

She'll give invitations to them all. “She’ll give them all invitations.”

Look carefully at the examples above and pay attention to the placement of the pronoun all in various situations, namely:

• before the predicate verb;
• after the verb to be;
• after or ;
• if there are two auxiliary verbs, then after the first of them;
• before the auxiliary or modal verb in short answers;
• after pronouns in object.

all is the subject of the sentence and has the meaning “everything”, the predicate verb is in the plural:

All are equal. - Everyone is equal.

When an indefinite pronoun all is the subject of the sentence and has the meaning “everything”, the predicate verb is singular:

All is lost. - Everything is lost.

Read about other indefinite pronouns in English in the second article (). You will need them to pass the next test.

​

Test

Indefinite pronouns in English

Answer from Simas Pocius[guru]
The main difference is "Some is specific. Any isn"t specific." "Some is specific. Any - not specific. "someone, somebody, - anyoneanyone, anybody, - anyonesomewhere - somewhereanywhere - somewhereUsed: "Some" - in positive (declarative sentences) - There is somebody home."Any" - in interrogative sentences - Is there somebody home? and also in negative sentences with an existing negation “not”, There isn’t anybody home. "No" - in negative sentences without "not" - There is nobody home. Below is a story using Some and Any:1. I"m going to enjoy this party. I don"t know (anybody) at all, but I"m going to have fun. Or: I know nobody. (negative sentence) 2.Hey, there"s (somebody) that I know. He"s in my Computer Science class. 3.I think I"ll go talk to him. He doesn't seem to be with (anyone) in particular. He's probably alone, like me. Or: He is seem to be with nobody in particular.4.No. Maybe not. If he"s all alone, then (everybody) is ignoring him, probably because he"s very boring. 5.That"s a nice-looking woman over there. I should go over and talk to her. No, I don"t think so. She "s probably very vain and has (nothing) interesting to say. I know her type. I"ll keep my distance. (negative) Or: She doesn't have anything interesting to say. 6.I need a drink. I think I'll head to the kitchen. There must be (some) beer or something in the refrigerator. 7.That"s strange. There"s (no) beer in the refrigerator. What is one supposed to drink in this stupid party? (negative) Or: There isn't any beer in the fridge. 8.Ah! There's the beer, over there, in the corner. (No one) had the sense to put it in the refrigerator. Now it "s probably very warm. (negative) 9. The music"s not very good. (Somebody) should change it. Let's get some action here. 10.Finally! Some good music. But why isn't (anyone) dancing? Don"t people know how to have fun anymore? (negative) Or: But why is no one dancing? 11.Hey! That woman"s looking at me. I wonder if there is (anyone) else interested in me. After all, I am kind of cute. (interrogative) 12.No, there "s (nobody) who really turns me on. Too bad! But the evening is still young. I"m not giving up. (negative)Or: There isn't anybody who turns me on (= excites me sexually). 13.I"m really hungry. I don"t see (any) food. What kind of party is this? (negative)Or: There is no food. 14.No food! Warm beer! (Nobody) seems to know how to organize decent parties anymore. (Negative ) 15. I don"t want to stay here. There must be (somewhere) more interesting than this. (affirmative)

Answer from Pokhabych[master]
Small

Answer from John Smith[newbie]
somebody Indefinite quantifiers 1) The pronoun somebody refers only to people and is more informal than someone. Usually it denotes only one person 2) Somebody is used as a noun in contexts in which it is possible to

In general, we use some (Also somebody/someone/something) in affirmative sentences, and any (Also anybody etc.) in negative (translated into Russian as ‘a few, a little; not at all’, etc., may not be translated):

◇ We bought some flowers.
We bought (a few) flowers.

◇ We did n't buy any flowers.
We didn't buy flowers.

◇ He's busy. He's got some work to do.
He is busy. He needs A little work.

◇ He’s lazy. He never does any work.
He is lazy. He never fulfills none work.

◇ I'm hungry. I want something to eat.
I am hungry. I want anything eat.

◇ I’m not hungry. I do n't want anything to eat.
I am not hungry. I don't want Nothing There is.

We use any in the following sentences because the meaning is negative:

• She went out without any money. (she did n't take any money with her - she didn’t take any money with her)
• He refused to eat anything. (he did n't eat anything- he didn't eat anything)
• Hardly anybody passed the examination. (=almost nobody passed - almost no one passed)

In questions we use and some, And any. We use some when we talk about a person or thing, knowing that it exists, or thinking that it exists:

• Are you waiting for somebody? (I think you are waiting for somebody)
  Are you waiting anyone?

We use some in questions when we offer or ask something:

• Would you like something to eat? (there is something to eat)
  Would you like anything to eat?
• Can I have some sugar, please? (there is probably some sugar I can have)
  Can I A little sugar please?

But in most questions we use any. We don't know if a person or thing exists:

• 'Have you got any luggage?’ ‘No, I haven’t.’
  ‘Do you have luggage?’ ‘No.’
• I can't find my bag. Has anybody seen it?
  I can't find my bag. Anyone did you see her?

We often use any after if:

• If there are any letters for me, can you send them on to this address?
  If you receive (any) letters to me, can you send them to this address?
• If anyone has any questions, I’ll be pleased to answer them.
  If anyone has If you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them.
• Let me know if you need anything.
  Let me know (let me know) If to you anything will be needed.

Not in the following sentences if, but the meaning is the same:

• I'm sorry for any trouble I've caused. (= if I have caused any trouble)
  I'm sorry for any problems I caused (= if I caused any problems)
• Anyone who wants to do the exam must tell me by Friday. (= if there is anyone)
  Anyone interested in taking the exam must notify me by Friday. (= if (there is) anyone)

We also use any in the meaning ‘it doesn’t matter which one; any':

• You can take any bus. They all go to the center. (= it doesn’t matter which bus you take)
• ‘Sing a song.’ ‘Which song shall I sing?’ ‘ Any song. I don’t mind.’ (= any song)
• Come and see me any time you want.
• ‘Let’s go out somewhere.’ ‘Where shall we go?’ ‘ Anywhere. (Anywhere.) I just want to go out.’
• We left the door unlocked. Anybody could have come in. ( Anyone my come in.)

Compare something And anything:

A: I'm hungry. I want something to eat. ( anything)
B: What would you like?
A: I don’t mind. Anything. (Anything.) (= it doesn’t matter what)

Somebody/someone/anybody/anyone– singular words:

• Someone is here to see you.
  Here somebody wants to see you.

But we often use they/them/their after these words:

• Someone has forgotten their umbrella (= his or her umbrella)
  Somebody I forgot my umbrella. (= his or her umbrella)
• If anybody wants to leave early, they can. (= he or she can)
  If anyone wants to leave early, you can do so. (= he or she can)

Exercises

1. Select some or any.

2. Complete the sentences with some- or any- + -body/-thing/-where.

—> Common mistakes in English -> Parts of speech -> Terminology -> Content and functional words -> Comparison of English and native languages

The pronouns SOMEBODY and SOMEONE are translated the same way - someone, anyone, anyone. These pronouns are noun-pronouns and function as subject and object in a sentence. The pronouns SOMEBODY and SOMEONE are synonymous and can be used interchangeably in most cases, but there is a difference between them that is similar to the difference between the pronouns EVERY and EACH.

The pronouns SOMEBODY and SOMEONE are derivatives and consist of the indefinite pronoun SOME and the nouns BODY and ONE. It is the nouns that influence the meaning of the derivative pronouns in which they are included.

One of the main meanings noun BODY the word “body” appears, and this word “body” can correspond to an inanimate object, some material, physical body, for example: a celestial body, or the main part of some mechanism. The noun BODY also refers to a living being, which is a person. Therefore, the word BODY can be translated like this - Human or the main part of the human body - torso.

SOMEBODY = SOMEBODY, SOMEONE – makes sense: some “body”, that is, some one person from many of his own kind, no matter what person, taken at random, that is, one can talk about him in the same way, as well as about all other people in general, since we do not single out this person from the crowd. Therefore, SOMEBODY does not separate, but rather unites all of its own kind into a group. I say SOMEBODY and I mean the whole crowd. SOMEBODY is like a theory of random numbers; no one knows what number will come up. In some ways, the pronoun EVERY = everyone behaves exactly the same way.

For example:

Somebody is sure to find the lost papers. = Surely someone will find the lost documents. = (some people, one or more persons –> “someone” is any person, no matter who, unknown to you or me, one from the crowd or several people).

I am afraid somebody will know about it. = I'm afraid that someone will find out about this. = (some people, one or more person –-> “someone” is any person from my environment, unknown to me or you, or several people).

Ask somebody to show you the way to the post-office. = Ask someone to show you the way to the post office. = (some people, one or more persons –> “anyone” is any person passing by or several people).

One of the meanings noun ONE is the word “man”, that is, a solitary person, a person who is an individual, and therefore stands out from the crowd and has some characteristic features.

SOMEONE = SOMEONE - makes sense: some person from many of his own kind, but nevertheless, in some way he “leaves a mark,” that is, he stands out. I say SOMEONE and imagine one person, unknown to me, but this someone “left a mark” and stood out from the crowd. In some ways, the pronoun EACH = everyone behaves in exactly the same way.

For example:

This is a letter from someone who lost the papers. = This is a letter from some person who lost his documents. = (a person, one person –> from “someone” - from some person, but it was this “someone” who lost the documents and wrote a letter, so to speak, “left a trace”).

Someone left a journal here yesterday. = Someone left a magazine here. (a person, one person-> “someone” - unknown to either me or you, but a very specific person who “left a mark”).

Someone has asked you on the phone. = Someone asked you to come to the phone. = (a person, one person –> “someone” – some person, but he called and asked for the phone).

The same meaning applies to derivative pronouns with ANY, NO, EVERY.

ANYONE (a person, any person) Is anyone waiting for you? = Is someone waiting for you? (we are talking about one person)

ANYBODY (any people, any or more persons) Is anybody else at home? = Is anyone home? (is there someone else, one person or two, three...)

NO ONE = (not a person) No one could answer the question. = No one was able to answer the question. (no one)

NOBODY = (no people) Nobody can fly. = Nobody can fly. (all people can't fly)

EVERYONE = (every person) Everyone is ready to answer. = Everyone is ready to answer. (every person is ready)

EVERYBODY = (all people) Come on, everybody! Dance and sing! = Come on, everyone! Let's dance and sing! (together)

This is why derived pronouns with BODY are never followed by the preposition OF. And derivatives with ONE can be with the preposition OF, so they indicate “singularity” and individuality.

For example:

Have you spoken to any of them? = Have you spoken to any of them?

Have you spoken to anyone of them? = Have you spoken to any of them?

Words derived from every-, some-, any- and no-
Words derived from every-, some-, any- and no-

In English there are some two-part words, the first part of which contains the pronouns every-, some-, any- and even the particle no-. The principle of using such words intersects with the theme of the last section. You will need to remember all the words presented and learn to speak them well.

everybody, somebody, anybody, nobody

These four pronouns refer only to a person. Let's consider the meaning and application of each in order.

everybody - everyone

Everybody knows where you work- Everyone knows where you work
Everybody is waiting for them - Everyone is waiting for them

Please note that this and other similar pronouns have the third person singular form (he, she). If necessary, verbs must be put in this form.

Don't say: Everybody know or Everybody are waiting.

Everyone left the cafe and went to the square

somebody - someone, anyone (in statements)

Somebody told me that you were ill- Someone told me that you are sick
I"m looking for somebody to share a flat- I'm looking for someone to rent an apartment together

The pronoun somebody is used in the same cases as the separate some - in affirmative sentences.

Say it yourself:

Someone calls me every night

anybody - anyone (questions and negatives)

Does anyone know how to get to the stadium?- Does anyone know how to get to the stadium?
Is anybody home? - Is anyone home?

I don"t see anybody - I don’t see anyone

The difference between somebody and anybody is based on the opposition between some and any (see previous section ).

Don't say: I don't see somebody.

Say it yourself:

Do you know anyone here?
No, I don't know anyone

nobody - no one

Nobody loves me - Nobody loves me
Nobody said a word - Nobody said a word

Say it yourself:

Nobody believes you

Since nobody already carries a negation, the verb in the sentence will be in the affirmative form to avoid double negation. Literally, such sentences will be translated into Russian as follows: Nobody loves me or Nobody believes you.

Now try to translate the following sentences into English yourself, choosing the correct pronoun:

Are you inviting anyone to the party?
Everyone wants to know English, but no one wants to learn it
Someone is waiting for you outside the door

The four pronouns considered have duplicate words: everyone, someone, anyone and no one, respectively. They are similar in both design and meaning.

Everybody is happy = Everyone is happy
Somebody is waiting for you = Someone is waiting for you
Does anyone speak Spanish here? = Does anyone speak Spanish here?
Nobody understands us = No one understands us

From the examples you can see that the pronoun no one is actually written separately, unlike all other words.

In fact, we said a little superficially that words with roots -body and -one are similar. In meaning they are very similar, but still some subtleties in their differences can be highlighted. For example, everybody is closer in meaning to the Russian “everyone”, and everyone is closer to the Russian “everyone”. And if we want to put the preposition of after such pronouns, then it is more correct to use words with the root -one.

Everyone of you is so kind to me- Each of you is so kind to me
Can anyone of them turn the light on?- Can any of them turn on the light?

Instead of no one, however, in the case of the preposition of, its modified version will be used - none.

None of us is able to alter the history- None of us can change history

Say it yourself in English:

Everyone needs a good teacher
Do any of you know Peter?
I don't think any of us know Peter?

everything, something, anything, nothing

If pronouns with the roots -body and -one mean people, then words with the root -thing mean inanimate objects.

everything - everything

I"m tired of everything - I’m tired of everything

something - something, anything, something (statements)

I need to tell you something - I need to tell you something

anything - anything, anything (questions, negatives)

Does she know anything about Ancient Rome?- Does she know anything about Ancient Rome?
We don"t hear anything - We don’t hear anything

Less commonly, anything can be found in affirmative sentences meaning “anything.”

I can give you anything you want- I can give you everything you want

nothing - nothing

What's wrong? - What happened?
Nothing - Nothing

Say it yourself in English:

Do you see anything?
I don't want to eat anything
I liked everything
What? - Nothing

Other pronouns and adverbs

There are a sufficient number of similar compound words with the pronouns every-, some-, any- and the particle no- in the English language. We will not analyze the remaining words in detail, but will only list some of them. Always remember the differences between some and any .

everywhere - everywhere, everywhere
somewhere - somewhere, somewhere, somewhere
anywhere - anywhere, anywhere
nowhere - nowhere

somehow - somehow
anyhow - somehow

anyway - in any case

To practice, say it yourself in English:

Cars are everywhere now
Have you seen Patricia anywhere?
No, I haven't seen her anywhere
They have nowhere to live
I think we will solve this problem somehow
Is there any way you can fix my car?
I'll stay here anyway

In English you can find many more similar compound words. Only the most common ones were considered here. IN mandatory complete practical tasks.

Exercises
Exercises

Exercise 1
Tell me what the following pronouns and adverbs mean

somebody, everything, nobody, anybody, anything, something, everyone, nothing, somewhere, everywhere, somehow.

Exercise 2
Translate sentences from English into Russian

1. They don't believe anyone;
2. She told that she loved someone, but didn't tell his name;
3. Yesterday my boss got angry and went somewhere in the middle of the meeting;
4. Will your parents go anywhere on holiday this summer?
5. I have nowhere to go;
6. We have nothing to tell you;
7. No one came to my birthday party;
8. Everybody forgot to pay the bills except me;
9. I had to tell you something very important;
10. Could you recommend me anybody to make me a haircut?

Exercise 3
Translate the sentences into English

Body

1. Will anyone watch this movie?
2. Nobody will watch this film;
3. Everyone wants to sleep;
4. We didn't want to disturb anyone.

1. I will listen to each of you;
2. Are you going to call someone?
3. Nobody can play better than you;
4. None of you can win this game;
5. Someone is screaming on the street.

Thing

1. Is there something in this bag?
2. There is nothing in this bag;
3. I have nothing to tell you;
4. I love spring. Everything is so fresh and green.

Where

1. Mike can't find his keys anywhere;
2. You should look for them somewhere else;
3. She would like to live somewhere in Europe.