Let’s take a look at some indefinite pronouns with some, any, every, and no. Before we get started, it’s a good idea to review some and any, as well as all, every, each separately.
Something is a thing, action, situation, or quality that is not known or isn’t identified. We use something in affirmative statements, as well as with offers and requests. We don’t use it with negatives or other types of questions.
I’m looking for something elegant to wear to the wedding.
May I offer you something to drink?
Anything has the same meaning as something, and we use it with negatives and questions. Note that any accompanies negatives. It is not a negative on its own.
Incorrect: I have anything to say.
Correct: I don’t have anything to say.
Incorrect: It is anything.
Correct: It is nothing.
It has a second meaning of any thing.
Is there anything I can do to help?
Do you notice anything different about me? I got my hair cut.
Everything is all things, actions, or qualities.
Everything is going to be alright.
Her children mean everything to her.
Nothing means not anything.
I have nothing to say to my ex. I have moved on.
Nothing for me, thanks. I’m full.
Expressions with nothing:
1.) to want for nothing = to have everything needed/to be very comfortable
The hotel staff was excellent. They made sure we wanted for nothing.
2.) to have nothing to do with someone or something = to not be someone’s concern / to avoid someone / to not be related
Stay out of it. It has nothing to do with you.
Lucy wants nothing to do with her awful neighbours.
Your question has nothing to do with the current topic.
3.) for nothing = without payment or effort
I got these shoes for nothing! My cousin gave them to me.
4.) Nothing if not = extremely
She is nothing if not studiously polite.
Someone is a person that is unknown or isn’t identified. Someone and somebody have the same meaning, though using one is a little more formal than body. These are not used with negatives and questions, with the exception of offers and requests.
I think there is someone at the door. Would you check, please?
Could somebody clean up this mess, please?
Anyone has the same meaning as someone, and is used with negatives and questions.
Has anyone seen my cell phone?
Mark is single. He isn’t seeing anyone.
Anyone also means any person.
It’s easy! Anyone can do it.
No one means not anybody.
I feel sorry for her. No one wants to be in her situation.
I thought I heard a noise, but there was no one there.
Somewhere is a place that is not known or isn’t identified. We use somewhere in affirmative statements, as well as offers and requests. We don’t use it with negatives or other types of questions.
Keep looking. Your glasses have to be somewhere in this room.
Mary wants to go somewhere on vacation.
Anywhere has the same meaning as somewhere, and is used with negatives and interrogatives. It has a second meaning of any place.
Leave me alone. Go be anywhere but here.
Tom couldn’t find his keys anywhere.
Nowhere means no place.
The community center is a great addition to the town. Before, kids had nowhere else to go.
Nowhere do the rules state that workers must run errands for their superiors.
Expressions with nowhere:
nowhere near = far from
The flowers are nice, but nowhere near enough to make up for what you did.
to get nowhere = to not be able to resolve a problem or disagreement
We are getting nowhere. Let’s pause the negotiations for today.
A bridge to nowhere = an action or decision that will not result in success / a waste of time and resources
We abandoned the project. It turned out to be a bridge to nowhere.
the middle of nowhere = a remote location
We got lost on the drive, and we ended up in the middle of nowhere.
Sometime is a time that is not known or isn’t identified. We use sometime in affirmative statements, as well as offers and requests. We don’t use it with negatives or other types of questions.
Call me sometime!
Frank arrived home sometime before dawn.
Notice the difference in meaning with the following:
some time = for a long period of time
It took some time for the players to work well together as a team.
Julie has been working here for some time.
sometimes = occasionally
They go to parties sometimes, but they prefer a quiet night at home.
Anytime is a time that is unknown or not identified, or that doesn’t need to be planned or agreed upon.
Call me anytime! (This implies a higher level of intimacy and casualness than sometime does.)
The guests will arrive anytime now! (Now here means soon.)
Every time means each instance or whenever.
I laugh at that joke every time.
The roof leaks every time it rains.
At no time means never.
At no time were the prisoners mistreated.
At no time are swimmers allowed to remove their swim caps in the pool.
Notice the difference in meaning with the following:
In no time = quickly
Don’t worry. You’ll feel better in no time.
If you would like to learn more about these indefinite pronouns, check out the Cambridge Dictionary.
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