somebody, anybody, anything, something, someone, anyone

Hopeful   Sat Oct 22, 2005 2:45 am GMT
I speak fluently English, but I have big problems with remembering the difference between some- and any-
Please help me!
Rich   Sat Oct 22, 2005 4:03 am GMT
Some is specific. Any isn't specific.
Hopeful   Sat Oct 22, 2005 9:46 am GMT
I understand, but I always forget it (how can I remember it?)
Guest   Thu Oct 27, 2005 10:10 pm GMT
You can say "Someone came here." But saying *"Anyone came here." is nonsense.

You can say "Anybody is welcome here." But it is strange to say *"Somebody is welcome here".(Somebody? Who?)

Anything is wrong? No. Something is wrong? Probably.

I am a learner, too! Cheers!
Guest   Thu Oct 27, 2005 10:47 pm GMT
<<somebody, anybody, anything, something, someone, anyone>>

Jesus, you are one desperate individual. Try a dating agency!
eito(jpn)   Thu Oct 27, 2005 11:08 pm GMT
In this forum, we are looking for good English speakers who are nice to lerners. And you helped me expand my vocabulary. Thank you!
Travis   Thu Oct 27, 2005 11:21 pm GMT
"Some*", where "*" is "body", "one", "thing", etc., means that what in the question refers to a particular entity, even though such entity's identity may not be known.

"Any*", on the other hand, means that an entity just has to be of the proper type to fit it, and that no specific entity is being referred to in particular, whether known or unknown.
eito(jpn)   Thu Oct 27, 2005 11:27 pm GMT
Yes! We have been waiting for someone like you! Thank you!
Mary redcamarocruiser   Tue Mar 07, 2006 3:23 pm GMT
I agree with Rich who siad, "Some is specific. Any isn't specific."

You can ask, "Is anything wrong? Is there something I can do for you?"

Was it something I said?
Did I do anyting to upset you?

Compare:
I would rahter be anywhere but here.
I want to love somewhere else.
Do you want to live anywhere else?

Do you want to do anything about the problem?
Did you do something you regret?
Jim   Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:07 pm GMT
I can speak English very well, but I have problems with remembering when use "anybody" and "nobody" in question sentences. Please can you help me?