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Anyone, anybody or anything?

Anyone, anybody and anything are indefinite pronouns.

We use anyone, anybody and anything to refer to both an open, unlimited set of things or people and specific things or people. We use them with a singular verb:

  • Has anyone got a dictionary?
  • Anybody is welcome to join. There aren’t any rules.
  • Can I do anything to help?
  • I don’t know anybody who speaks Portuguese.

We often use the plural pronoun they to refer back to (singular) anyone when we do not know if the person is male or female:

  • If anyone would like further information about the dogs, they should call Canine Rescue on 0502 75257. (The same as If anyone would like further information about the dogs, he or she should call Canine Rescue on 0502 75257.)

Anything, anyone, anybody don’t have a negative meaning on their own:

  • We stayed in Sevilla for the rest of our holidays. No one wanted to come back, but we had to.
  • Not: Anyone wanted to come back.
See also
  • Any

Anyone and anybody​

Anyone and anybody have no difference in meaning. Anybody is a little less formal than anyone. Anyone is used more in writing than anybody:

  • I didn’t know anybody at the party.
  • [talking about the New Zealand rugby team, the All Blacks]
  • It is hard to find anyone who thinks that the All Blacks will face a stronger team.
See also
  • Pronouns: indefinite (-body, -one, -thing, -where)