Unit 78: somebody/anything/nowhere etc.

Master indefinite pronouns and adverbs

A. somebody (or someone) / something / somewhere

Somebody

Somebody (or someone) has broken the window = a person but we don't know who

Somewhere

They live somewhere near London = in/to a place but we don't know where

• She has got something in her mouth.
• Something = a thing but we don't know what

B. people (-body or -one)

somebody or someone
anybody or anyone
nobody or no-one

-body and -one are the same: somebody = someone, nobody = no-one etc.

• There is somebody (or someone) in the garden.
• There is anybody (or anyone) in the garden?
• There is nobody (or no-one) in the garden.

C. things (-thing)

• She said something but I didn't understand her.
• Are you doing anything at the weekend?
• I was angry but I didn't say anything.
• 'What did you say?' 'Nothing.'

D. places (-where)

• They live somewhere in the south of England.
• Did you go anywhere interesting for your holidays?
• I'm staying here. I'm not going anywhere.
• I don't like this town. There is nowhere to go.

E. something/anybody etc. + adjective (big/cheap/interesting etc.)

• Did you meet anybody interesting at the party?
• We always go to the same place. Let's go somewhere different.
• 'What's that letter?' 'It's nothing important.'

F. something/anybody etc. + to ...

• I'm hungry. I want something to eat. (= something that I can eat)
• He hasn't got anybody to talk to. (= anybody that he can talk to)
• There is nowhere to go in this town. (= nowhere where people can go)

somebody / anybody / nobody

somebody in the garden
anybody in the garden?
nobody in the garden

something / anything / nothing

said something
doing anything
say anything

somewhere / anywhere / nowhere

live somewhere
go anywhere
nowhere to go

78.1 Put in somebody (or someone) / something / somewhere.

  1. She said something.
  2. I've lost .
  3. The vent .
  4. I'm going to phone .
  5. What did she say? .
  6. Where are you going? .
  7. Who are you going to phone? .

78.2 Put in nobody (or no-one) / nothing / nowhere.

  1. What did you say? Nothing.
  2. Where are you going? .
  3. What do you want? .
  4. Who are you looking for? .

78.3 Put in somebody/anybody/nowhere etc.

  1. It's dark. I can't see anything.
  2. Tom lives near London.
  3. Do you know about computers?
  4. 'Listen!' 'What? I can't hear .
  5. 'What are you doing here?' 'I'm waiting for .
  6. Please listen carefully. There's I want to tell you.
  7. Did see the accident? 'No, .
  8. We weren't hungry, so we didn't eat .
  9. 'What's going to happen?' 'I don't know. knows.'
  10. 'Do you know in London?' 'Yes, a few people.'
  11. 'What's in that cupboard?' ' . It's empty.'
  12. I'm looking for my glasses. I can't find them .
  13. I don't like cold weather. I want to live warm.
  14. Is there interesting on television tonight?
  15. Have you met famous?

78.4 Complete the sentences. Choose from Box A and Box B.

A
something
anything
nothing
somewhere
anywhere
nowhere
B
do
drink
eat
go
play
read
sit
stay
  1. We don't go out very much because there's nowhere to go.
  2. There isn't any food in the house. We haven't got .
  3. I'm bored. I've got .
  4. 'Why are you standing?' 'Because there isn't .
  5. Would you like ? 'Yes, please – a glass of orange juice.'
  6. All the hotels were full. There was .
  7. Children need .
  8. I'm going to buy – a magazine.
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Interactive English Grammar • Unit 78 • Page 164-165