Somebody, Nobody, Anybody
Somebody, nobody, and anybody are indefinite pronouns. Indefinite pronouns refer to people or things in a general or unspecified way. Other indefinite pronouns include anything, everybody, no one, someone, anyone, something, and nothing.
Pronouns ending in -thing refer to things.
Anybody vs Anyone
Anybody and anyone mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably. However, anyone is more commonly used in formal situations.
Similarly, pronouns ending in -body have the same meaning as their -one counterparts:
It is important to note that no one can be written in two ways:
SOMEBODY
Somebody means someone (somebody, someone, to someone).
We use somebody in affirmative sentences and in questions where we offer something or ask for something. We can also use somebody in questions when we expect a positive answer.
Someone left a message for you.
Can someone help me with this box?
Someone told me the news yesterday.
Questions with Negation
Some questions contain negation because the speaker expects a specific answer. These questions usually start with a contracted form of not (isn’t, didn’t, haven’t, etc.).
Didn’t you hear someone calling?
Even though these questions include not, we can still use somebody, because we expect a yes answer.
Hasn’t someone taken care of this already?
NOBODY
Nobody means no one (nobody, to nobody, no one, to no one).
Since nobody already has a negative meaning, we do not add extra negation in the sentence. This is different from some languages, where double negatives are used.
No one knows the answer.
Adding “doesn’t” makes the sentence unclear.
Nobody and Negative Words (rarely, hardly, etc.)
We do not use nobody with other negative words like rarely or hardly. Instead, we use anybody in such cases.
ANYBODY
Anybody means anyone, someone, or no one (depending on the sentence context).
We use anybody in questions and negative sentences. We can also use anybody in affirmative sentences that have a negative meaning.
Did someone call while I was out?
She doesn’t know anyone in this city.
There was hardly anyone at the event.
Anybody after “if”
Anybody is often used after if.
If anyone needs help, let me know.
If someone has a question, raise your hand.
Anybody vs Nobody in Negative Sentences
We do not use not anybody as the subject of a sentence. Instead, we use nobody.
Anybody meaning “it doesn’t matter who” / “anyone”
Anyone can join the club.
This place is open to everyone.
Somebody, Nobody, and Anybody in a Sentence
These pronouns are third-person singular, so they take a singular verb.
Someone has to do it.
No one is coming.
However, when referring back to these pronouns, we often use they/them/their instead of he/she because we usually do not know the person’s gender.
No one forgot his/her phone.
Someone left his/her umbrella here.
Possession with Somebody, Nobody, and Anybody
To show possession, we use the possessive form (-’s).
That is someone’s bag.
It was no one’s fault.
Using “Else” with Indefinite Pronouns
When we add else after somebody, nobody, or anybody, it means a different person.
I asked another person for directions.
I don’t trust anyone other than the person I already know.
| SOMEBODY | NOBODY | ANYBODY |
|---|---|---|
| MEANING: | ||
| someone | no one | anyone, someone, or no one (depending on context) |
| USE: | ||
| + affirmative sentences
Somebody was here.
|
+ affirmative sentences with a negative meaning
Nobody answered the phone.
|
+ questions
Did anybody call?
|
| + questions
Isn’t there somebody at the door?
(question expecting a yes) |
+negative sentences
I didn’t see anybody there.
|
|
| + affirmative sentences with a negative meaning
She never talks to anybody outside work.
|
||
