Some, any + -body / -one, + -thing, + -where

The compounds of some and any behave in the same way as some and any, that is to say, some-, in affirmative sentences and, any-, in negatives and questions, although we use some- in the interrogative to offer something, to ask for something or when we expect a positive response, as we saw in the previous unit. Examples:


I saw somebody there.


I did not see anybody there.


Did you see anybody there?


Would you like something better?




Instead of I did not see anybody there, we can say I saw nobody there, but we cannot use two negative words: *I did not see nobody there.




Anybody, nobody and somebody mean the same as anyone, no-one and nobody respectively. No-one can also be written no one.




Any can also mean "every" or "it does not matter which / who":


You can take any pencil.


Anybody can do it. It's very easy.




Let's see the following examples to end with:


Somebody told me you were abroad.


Nobody came to the meeting.


Was there anybody in the house?


I want something to eat.


I don't need anything.


I need nothing.


Would you like something to drink?


Is there anything in that drawer?


I want to go somewhere else.


I didn't go anywhere.


I went nowhere.


Have you seen my car keys anywhere?





Exercises:



Fill in the gaps with somebody, anybody, nobody, something, anything, nothing, somewhere, anywhere or nowhere.


1. I know __________ about this issue that you may find interesting, but if I tell you, you must promise to keep it (a) secret.


2. __________ lives here. There is no water.


3. I spent the night __________ near the beach.


4. __________ could have jumped over this wall, and stole your rake. It's very low.


5. __________ scares him. He's very brave.


6. There is __________ to park here. Let's go __________ else to park.


7. Would you like __________ to wash your hands?.


8. May I have __________ for dessert, please?


9. They took him __________ in London, and he never returned.


10. Please don't leave __________ behind at home. We'll be away for a fortnight.


11. She needs __________ to love. She's very lonely.


12. They will not sing __________ in this city. They said that they would never come back.


13. There isn't __________ you can do to help them. __________ can help them.


14. We do not need __________ else to run this department. We can do it ourselves.


15. __________ is ringing the bell. Go and see who it is.


16. __________ phoned while we were out, but they did not leave a message.


17. __________ tells me that there is __________ fishy going on .


18. They are looking for __________ to settle down and have children. They want to find a quiet place to lead a quiet life.


19. "Where would you like to stay?"


"__________ will do provided it is a clean place."


20. "Is there __________ at home?"


"I don't think there is __________. Mum and dad must have gone out."



The key.




Key: (Please remember that instead of anybody, nobody and somebody, you may use anyone, no-one and someone respectively.)