‘Anybody’ and ‘anyone’ are two words that people use regularly, and sometimes interchangeably. This might lead you to question if these words mean the same or if they have different connotations. Such pairs of words are common in the English Language and can often lead to confusion.
This article will help the students understand whether both are the same or not. The article will cover the differences between anyone and anybody, along with tips on how best to use them in your sentences. This will go on to give you a clear concept of these two words; carefully read through!
What Is The Meaning of “Anyone”?
“Anyone” is an indefinite pronoun that refers to an unspecified or unknown person. It is also used to show that any person, regardless of identity or number, is included in the statement or question. Here are some examples:
- “Has anyone seen my keys?”
- “Does anyone want to play a game?”
- “Can anyone believe it’s already Friday?”
- “The prize can go to anyone who answers correctly.”
- “This path is open to anyone who wants to explore.”
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What Is the Meaning of “Anybody”?
‘Anybody’ is also an indefinite pronoun that serves a similar purpose to ‘anyone.’ It refers to an unspecified or unknown person and it shows that any person, singular or plural, is included. For example:
- “Has anybody seen my glasses?”
- “Is anybody there?”
- “Would anybody like some coffee?”
- “This movie is scary, but it won’t scare anybody who has seen a horror film before.”
- “The instructions are simple enough for anybody to understand.”
- “They wouldn’t let just anybody into the exclusive club.
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Anyone vs. Anybody: Similarities and Differences
The words anyone and anybody are the same. There are no clear rules on when you should use one of these words vs. the other. However, anyone is considered more formal than anybody. What this means is anyone is the best pick in formal settings and writing.
Because these words are the same, it doesn’t matter which word you use in most situations. You can use either word in face-to-face conversations when writing dialogue and in many other types of writing. If you are interested in using the most formal options in certain situations, such as business documents or academic writing, anyone is somewhat preferable to anybody.
Anyone vs. Anything
The word anything is similar to the word anyone, but they are used in varying situations. You can’t use “anything” to refer to people, while the word, anyone always refers to people.
When used as a pronoun, anything refers to any item, object, or thing.
- Does anyone want anything from the car?
- I feel like going shopping even though I don’t need to buy anything.
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Someone vs. Somebody
The words someone and somebody are closely related to anyone and anybody. However, the word, somebody is less formal than someone.
Indefinite Pronoun Usage
These words serve as singular indefinite pronouns that are interchangeable, just like anybody and anybody. When these words are employed as indefinite pronouns, they denote “some person.” This is not the same as the definition of “any person” for everyone and anybody, but it is closely linked to it.
- Somebody came into the house you last night. I can’t remember who it was.
- The committee will choose someone to receive the scholarship this week.
Noun Usage
The words someone and somebody can also be used in noun form. This is not the case with anyone and anybody as they do not have a noun form. When used as a noun, the words someone and somebody show that an individual is very successful or otherwise of high importance.
- I want to be somebody when I grow up.
- Receiving the award made me see that I can really be someone if I continue to work hard.
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Other Phrases You Can Consider
There are a few popular collocations that include everyone and anybody listed below. These collocations are interchangeable, just like the individual terms; the only distinction is that phrases that contain anybody could be seen as slightly less formal than those that don’t.
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Anyone’s Guess/Anybody’s Guess
The phrases “anyone’s guess” or “anybody’s guess” mean that no one knows the answer. These phrases show that an answer or solution is unknown or highly uncertain.
- Will I pass Calculus class this semester? That’s anybody’s guess.
- I felt like my interview went well, but whether I’ll get offered the job is anyone’s guess.
Anyone Else/Anybody Else
The phrases “anyone else” and “anybody else” are typically used to refer to any other person. These words are appropriate when one or more people have already been identified and the message speaker is checking to see if any additional person should be included.
- I’m ordering hamburgers for Steve and Thomas. Does anyone else want a burger?
- Is anybody else feeling overwhelmed with the amount of homework in that class?
FAQs On Anyone vs Anybody
“Anyone” is an indefinite pronoun that refers to an unspecified or unknown person. It is also used to show that any person, regardless of identity or number, is included in the statement or question.
The words anyone and anybody are the same. There are no clear rules on when you should use one of these words vs. the other.
‘Anybody’ is also an indefinite pronoun that serves a similar purpose to ‘anyone.’ It refers to an unspecified or unknown person and it shows that any person, singular or plural, is included. For example:
Conclusion
The words “anybody” and “anyone” are interchangeable and can be regarded as synonymous. However, it’s important to keep in mind the context—or how you are employing these terms in a sentence—while utilizing them.
References
- yourdictionary.com – Anyone vs. Anybody: Main Differences You Need Know
- langeek.co – Anybody vs. Anyone
