Somebody, Anything, Nowhere ...

We use expressions like "someone", "something", "somewhere" etc. to talk about a person, thing, or place without saying exactly who, what, or where.

Somebody / Someone - Anybody / Anyone - Nobody / No one

We use these expressions when we are talking about a person.

We use "someone" / "somebody" in positive sentences.

Examples:

I spoke to somebody / someone in their department.

We saw somebody / someone at the door.

We use "anyone" / "anybody" in questions and in negative sentences.

Examples:

I didn't speak to anybody / anyone in their department.

Did you see anybody / anyone at the door?

We can also use "no one" / "nobody" with a positive verb to make negative sentences.

Examples:

I spoke to nobody / no onein their department. (= I didn't speak to anybody in their department.)

We saw nobody / no one. (= We didn't see anyone.)

Something - Anything - Nothing

We use these expressions when we are talking about a thing.

We use "something" in positive sentences.

Examples:

I've bought something for you.

She said something interesting.

We use "anything" in questions and in negative sentences.

Examples:

I haven't bought anything.

Didn't she say anything about her plans?

We can also use "nothing" with a positive verb to make negative sentences.

Examples:

I've bought nothing. (= I haven't bought anything.)

She said nothing. (= She didn't say anything.)

Somewhere - Anywhere - Nowhere

We use these expressions when we are talking about a place.

We use "somewhere" in positive sentences.

Examples:

Let's go somewhere nice this weekend.

I left my keys somewhere in the kitchen

We use "anywhere" in questions and in negative sentences.

Examples:

There wasn't anywhere to sit in the café.

Did you go anywhere after the party?

We can also use "nowhere" with a positive verb to make negative sentences.

Examples:

There was nowhereto sit in the café. (= There wasn't anywhere to sit in the café.)

We went nowhereexciting during the trip. (= We didn't go anywhere exciting during the trip.)

Exercises

Complete the sentences with "somebody", "anything", "nowhere" etc.

1.I looked for my keys, but I couldn't find them ____.

I looked for my keys, but I couldn't find them anywhere.

2.They're hungry. Let's give them ____ to eat.

They're hungry. Let's give them something to eat.

3.Did you tell ____ about our plan?

Did you tell anyone / anybody about our plan?

4."Who's knocking at the door?""I don't know. It might be ____ from next door."

"Who's knocking at the door?""I don't know. It might be someone / somebodyfrom next door."

5."Who was there in the classroom?""____. It was empty."

"Who was there in the classroom?""No one / Nobody. It was empty."

6.I want to go ____ warm for the winter holiday.

I want to go somewhere warm for the winter holiday.

7."Did you hear that noise?""No, I heard ____."

"Did you hear that noise?""No, I heard nothing."