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Something, anything, nothing, etc. – Grammar chart

 

Some- in affirmative sentences

We normally use something, somebody/someone, somewhere in affirmative sentences.

• Look! There’s something under that chair.
• Somebody called you yesterday.

 

Any- in negative and interrogative sentences

We use anything, anybody/anyone, anywhere in negative sentences and questions.

• There isn’t anybody in the house.
• Is there anybody here?

But we often use something, somebody/someone, somewhere in requests and in offers, i.e. when we ask for something or offer something to someone.

• Can somebody help me?
• Would you like something to eat?

 

No- with affirmative verbs

We use nobody/no one, nothing, nowhere in sentences with an affirmative verb.

• The sun was in my eyes and I could see nobody. (NOT I couldn’t see nobody.)
• ‘Where have you been?’ ‘Nowhere.’

 

Every- means ‘all’

We use everybody/everyone, everything, everywhere when we mean ‘all the people’, ‘all the things’ or ‘(in) all the places’.

• ‘Everybody in my class has passed the exam.’
• ‘From the top of the mountain, we could see everything.’
• ‘There were insects everywhere.’

 

Singular verbs

We use singular verbs with all these words.

• Everything is expensive nowadays.
• Everyone was tired.
• Has someone seen my glasses

 

Something, anyone, nowhere, etc. + adjective

We can use an adjective (nice, wrong, etc.) after something, anything, etc.

• Can’t we go somewhere quiet?
• I didn’t do anything wrong.

 

Something, anyone, nowhere, etc. + to infinitive

We can use to + infinitive after something, anything, etc.

• We didn’t have anywhere to go. 
• I need something to do.  I’m bored.