Explanation
Exercises

🧩 Something · Anything · Nothing · Everything

Indefinite pronouns for people (-body/-one), things (-thing), and places (-where). Choose the right prefix: some-, any-, no-, every-.
people: somebody / anybody / nobody / everybody things: something / anything / nothing / everything places: somewhere / anywhere / nowhere / everywhere + singular verb: Everyone is
🟣some-
USE Use some- mainly in affirmatives. Also common in offers & requests when we expect a “yes”.
  • There is something under that chair.
  • Somebody called you yesterday.
  • Offers/requests: Would you like something to eat? · Can somebody help me?
Question nuance
  • Do you have any milk? (neutral)
  • Would you like some milk? (expecting “yes”)
🔵any-
USE Use any- in negatives and questions. In affirmatives it can mean “it doesn’t matter which/at all”.
  • There isn’t anybody in the house.
  • Is there anyone here?
  • Take any seat you like. (= it doesn’t matter which)
  • If you need any help, call me. (conditionals)
🟠no-
USE Use no- with an affirmative verb to make a negative meaning. Avoid double negatives in standard English.
  • I could see nobody. ✅ / I couldn’t see anybody. ✅
  • “Where have you been?” — “Nowhere.”
🚫
Don’t say: I couldn’t see nobody. Use anybody after a negative verb, or keep the verb affirmative with nobody.
🟢every-
USE every- means all people/things/places.
  • Everybody in my class has passed the exam. 🎓
  • From the top we could see everything.
  • There were insects everywhere.
Grammar
  • Use a singular verb with all these words: Everyone is tired. (Pronouns like “their” are common: Everyone forgot their ticket.)
✨+ Adjective after the pronoun
PATTERN something / anything / nothing / everything + adjective
  • Can’t we go somewhere quiet?
  • I didn’t do anything wrong.
  • There’s nothing new to report.
🧭+ to-infinitive (purpose/need)
PATTERN something / anything / nothing / anywhere + to + verb
  • We didn’t have anywhere to go.
  • I need something to do. I’m bored.
  • There’s nothing to eat in the fridge.
📌Mini cheat-sheet

People

  • somebody / someone · anybody / anyone · nobody / no one · everybody / everyone

Things & Places

  • something / anything / nothing / everything
  • somewhere / anywhere / nowhere / everywhere
Note: no one is two words (also spelled no-one in some styles). someone = somebody, anyone = anybody (same meaning).
🧪More natural examples
  • I looked everywhere, but I found nothing.
  • Is anyone sitting here? — No, it’s free.
  • There’s something wrong with my laptop.
  • We can go anywhere you want. (it doesn’t matter where)
  • She went nowhere last weekend; she just stayed home.
🚫Common mistakes
  • ❌ The sun was in my eyes, and I couldn’t see nobody.
    ✅ The sun was in my eyes, and I couldn’t see anybody. / I could see nobody.
  • ❌ Are they in everywhere?
    ✅ Are they everywhere?
  • ❌ Everybody are here.
    ✅ Everybody is here.
✅Quick checks
  • Affirmative? → some-
  • Negative / question? → any-
  • Strong negative with an affirmative verb? → no-
  • All people/things/places? → every-
  • Use a singular verb with all of them.
Recap: Pick the right prefix (some / any / no / every) for people, things, and places. Mind the verbs: use singular agreement, avoid double negatives, and remember you can put an adjective or to-infinitive after these pronouns. 🌟
Exercises:
1
2
3

Past continuous and past simple

Choose the correct past continuous and past simple forms to complete the sentences below.
1
I can’t find my keys. There’s in my bag.
2
‘What did you have to drink?’ — ‘I didn’t drink ; only water.’
3
was at the party; all our friends and family were there.
4
‘Did you see interesting at the party?’ — ‘ . Only boring people.’
5
robbed a bank yesterday. They took a lot of money.
6
The police think the robber is hiding in the neighbourhood.
7
‘Have you eaten ?’ — ‘ . I’m very hungry.’
8
Can I stay here tonight? I have to go.
9
I think bad has happened, because there are police officers .
10
If calls while I’m out, tell them I’ll be back at six.

Past continuous and past simple

Choose the correct past continuous and past simple forms to complete the sentences below.
1
I looked in the fridge, but there was ____ to eat.
A.
B.
C.
2
Is there ____ I can help you with?
A.
B.
C.
3
She heard ____ at the door.
A.
B.
C.
4
We didn’t go ____ last weekend because it rained.
A.
B.
C.
5
____ called while you were out, but they didn’t leave a name.
A.
B.
C.
6
There is ____ wrong with my laptop — it keeps freezing.
A.
B.
C.
7
If you need ____ else, just let me know.
A.
B.
C.
8
I tried to fix the printer, but ____ worked.
A.
B.
C.
9
The café was packed and there was ____ to sit.
A.
B.
C.
10
____ was ready by 8 o’clock; we could start on time.
A.
B.
C.

Past continuous and past simple

Fill in the gaps with the correct past continuous and past simple forms of the verbs in brackets.
1
I knocked several times, but answered.
2
If you need help, you can ask in the office.
3
There's in my eye — it hurts.
4
Did you buy interesting at the exhibition?
5
We couldn’t find to park near the stadium.
6
We searched for the cat, but it had disappeared.
7
The train was packed — there was to sit, so we stood.
8
Let’s go quiet and talk.
9
left their umbrella here — do you know whose it is?
10
After the show, wanted to take a photo with the singer.