Learn English – subtle difference between “somebody” and “someone”, “anybody” and “anyone”

one-bodypronounssynonymsword-choice

Are there any subtle differences between "somebody" and "someone", or can they be used completely interchangeably? Similarly, can you imagine a situation in which you would prefer "anybody" to "anyone" or vice versa?

Best Answer

There is little or no difference between the -one and -body variants.

However, there is a major difference between somebody and anybody--anybody is one of the "negative valency" words in English, which is required when the main verb of the sentence is negated.

I haven't seen anybody. [Correct]

! I haven't seen somebody. [Incorrect]

Conversely, in sentences in which the main verb is affirmative (not negated), the preferred pronoun should be somebody and not anybody.

I saw somebody in the hall. [Correct]

! I saw anybody in the hall. [Incorrect]

In subject position, you should prefer somebody when a particular person is implied, although you don't know who it is. Anybody can be used when you have no particular person in mind.

Somebody called me on the phone. [Correct]

! Anybody called me on the phone. [Incorrect]

? Somebody can come to the party. [Not exactly incorrect, but very strange--it implies that there is a single, unnamed person that can come to the party.]

Anybody can come to the party. [Correct]

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