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.