Something, anything, nothing, etc.

Something, anything, nothing, etc.

Exercise 2

Choose the correct form (something, anything, nothing, etc.) to complete each sentence.

Please wait...

1 _____ used my computer yesterday. I need to know who did it.

A.Somebody

B.Nobody

C.Anybody

2 It happened very quickly and I couldn't see _____.

A.nothing

B.something

C.anything

3 Have you talked to _____ about your problem?

A.somebody

B.nobody

C.anybody

4 I'm bored. I don't have _____ to do.

A.nothing

B.anything

C.something

5 He lost his house and now he has _____ to live.

A.nowhere

B.anywhere

C.everywhere

6 She doesn't have _____ in her life. She's very lonely.

A.somebody

B.nobody

C.anybody

7 Would you like _____ to eat?

A.something

B.anything

C.nothing

8 'Do you know _____ in Dublin?' 'Yes, I know a few people.'

A.someone

B.anyone

C.no one

9 Sarah told _____ that she broke up with you. Now we all know.

A.anyone

B.no one

C.everyone

10 I'm going to bed. There's _____ interesting on TV.

A.something

B.anything

C.nothing

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Something, anything, nothing, etc.: Grammar chart

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Some- in affirmative sentences

We usually 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 couldn’t see nobody.
• The sun was in my eyes, and I could 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 anyone 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.