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somebody, someone, anybody, anyone, etc

These indefinite pronouns and adverbials replace more definite noun/adverbial phrases when it is not necessary, or not possible, to be more precise.

-body and -one​

There is no significant difference between somebody and someone, anybody and anyone, everybody and everyone, or nobody and no one. The -one forms are more common in writing; the -body forms are more frequent in speech in British English.

some- and any-​

The differences between somebody and anybody, something and anything, somewhere and anywhere, etc are the same as the differences between some and any (see here) for details). Compare:

  • There’s somebody at the door.
    Did anybody telephone?
  • Can I get you something to drink?
    If you need something/anything, just shout.
  • Let’s go somewhere nice for dinner.
    I don’t want to go anywhere too expensive.

Singular​

When these words are subjects they are used with singular verbs.

  • Everybody likes her. (not Everybody like her.)
  • Is everything ready? (not Are everything ready?)

Somebody normally refers to only one person. Compare:

  • There’s somebody outside who wants to talk to you.
  • There are some people outside who want to talk to you.

Use of they​

They, them and their are often used with a singular meaning to refer back to somebody, etc (see here).

  • If anybody wants a ticket for the concert, they can get it from my office.
  • ‘There’s somebody at the door.’ ‘Tell them I’m busy.’
  • Someone left their umbrella on the bus.
  • Nobody phoned, did they?

Complementation: somebody nice, etc​

Somebody, etc can be followed by adjectives or adverbial expressions.

  • I hope he marries somebody nice.
  • She’s going to meet someone in the Ministry.
  • I feel like eating something hot.
  • Let’s go somewhere quiet this weekend.

They can also be followed by else (see here).

  • Emily – are you in love with somebody else?
  • I don’t like this place – let’s go somewhere else.

Note also the informal use of much after any- and no-.

  • We didn’t do anything much yesterday.
  • There’s nothing much on TV tonight.

someplace​

In informal American English, someplace, anyplace, everyplace and no place are common.

  • Let’s go someplace quiet.

anyone and any one; everyone and every one​

Anyone means the same as anybody; any one means ‘any single one (person or thing)’. Compare:

  • Does anyone know where Celia lives?
  • You can borrow any one book at a time.

There is a similar difference between everyone and every one. Compare:

  • Everyone had a good time at the party.
  • There aren’t any cakes left – they’ve eaten every one.

Sometime​

Sometime (see here) is not exactly part of this group. There are no words everytime or notime, and any time is written as two words. We say some other time, not sometime else.

note

For the difference between no one and none, (see here).

For question tags after everything and nothing, (see here).

For some time, sometime and sometimes, (see here).