Something, anybody, nothing, anywhere, no one, etc.

Something/anything = a thing
Somebody/anybody = a person
Someone/anyone = a person
Somewhere/anywhere = a place

A. We usually use something, somebody, someone and somewhere in (+) positive phrases:

Ex: Someone called you this morning, but she didn’t say her name. (a person)
We need to call somebody at the travel agency about our flight. (a person)
I want to tell you something about the event next week. (a thing)
Let’s go somewhere to eat. I’m hungry and I don’t want to cook. (a place)

B. We usually use anything, anybody, anyone and anywhere in (–) negative phrases or (?) questions:

Ex: I don’t know anyone here. (a person)

She didn’t say anything about the trip. (a thing)
I didn’t go anywhere last night. I stayed home. (a place)
Did anybody call me this morning? (a person)

Nothing = not anything

Nobody/no one = not anybody/not anyone
Nowhere = not anywhere

C. We use nothing, nobody, no one and nowhere before and after (+) positive verbs. Remember that
these words (nobody, no one, etc.) have negative meanings:

Ex: Nobody was at work yesterday because it was a holiday. (no person)
No one knows how to cook here. (no person)
This conversation is going nowhere. (no place)
There is nothing wrong with Paula. (no thing)

D. We can use else after something, anybody, etc. to talk about another option:

Ex: The thai restaurant is not open today. Let’s go somewhere else. (another place)
I called doctor Li but he’s busy until December. Do you know anybody else? (another person)
Let’s talk about something else. (another thing)
She has to change her attitude. There’s nothing else to say. (no other thing)

E. We can also use an adjective (wrong, nice, interesting, etc.) after something, anything, etc.:

Ex: Is there anything interesting at the movies this week?

There is something wrong with this report. The numbers are not correct.
I can’t drink anything cold because my teeth are sensitive.
I’d like to go somewhere nice this weekend. I need to relax.
A. Complete the phrases with appropriate words from the box:

something – anything (2x) – nothing – anyone (3x) – anywhere – somebody – nobody

1. A: Do you know _____________ about country music?

B: No, actually I know ______________ about it.
2. A: Did _____________ call me this morning, John?
B: No, _____________ called.
3. A: Does ______________ in your family live abroad?
B: Yes, my cousin lives in the U.K.
4. A: There’s ______________ wrong with my iphone. Do you know __________ who can fix it?
B: Oh, I know _____________. His name is Mike. He’s good.
5. A: DId you go _______________ on Sunday?
B: No, I didn’t.
6. A: What are you thinking about?
B: Oh, I’m not thinking about _________________. I’m just really tired.

B. Choose the correct words to complete the phrases.

1. We (didn’t go / went) _______________ anywhere last night. We saw a movie at home.

2. Nobody (isn’t / is) ________________ here. I think everybody went out for lunch.
3. We (did / didn’t do) ________________ anything special on Friday.
4. There (isn’t / is) ________________ nothing we can do in this situation.
5. We (know / don’t know) _____________ anyone in Miami, but we have friends in Boston.
6. I think my parents (aren’t going / are going) _______________ somewhere interesting on their
vacation, but I don’t remember where.
7. He (didn’t do / did) _________________ nothing wrong. He’s innocent.
8. They (want to go / don’t want to go) _________________ anywhere. They want to stay home.
9. (There is / There isn’t) _________________ something strange about this situation.
10. I (don’t know / know) _________________ anybody at this party.

C. Rewrite the sentences using anywhere, somebody, anthing, etc., and else.

1. Let’s do another thing. This game is terrible.

___________________________________________________________________________.
2. Is there another place we can go for lunch? The Italian restaurant is closed today.
___________________________________________________________________________.
3. Do you know another person here that can help me?
___________________________________________________________________________.
4. There is another person in the car with Jack.
___________________________________________________________________________.