Singular indefinite pronouns
Somebody, Anybody, anywhere, nobody
The compound of some and any act in the same manner as some and any.
- Some – affirmative
- Any – in the negative and questions
- Some – to offer something, to ask for something (when we expect a positive response)
Examples:
- I saw somebody in the lift.
- Did you see anybody in the lift?
- I didn’t see anybody in the lift.
- Do you want something else?
We can also say I saw
nobody in the lift.
- Nobody came.
- Nobody was there.
Note: Avoid double negatives – I did not see nobody in the lift.
Remember we use singular verbs after these pronouns.
- Nobody came.
- Nobody was there.
Any – can be every, it doesn’t matter which/who
- You can any object you want.
- Anybody could win tonight.
Somewhere – In positive statements
- I must have left them somewhere.
Anywhere - any place
- Is there anywhere open on Easter Sunday?
- There isn’t anywhere to go from here
So to sum up:
Some – used in positive statements.
Any – used in questions and negative statements.
Click here for the video and see if you can spot an indefinite pronoun. Some
