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“SOMETHING” AND “ANYTHING” “NOTHING” AND “EVERYTHING”
“Something” and “anything” refer to an unspecified or unnamed object or “Nothing” means
thing. “Something” can only be used in questions and positive statements, that there are no
whereas “anything” can be used in negative statements as well as questions available objects
and positive statements. or things.
Here “something” has a more general There is no single thing that Tim
meaning, as the speaker may not and James have in common.
have a specific thing in mind.

“Everything” means
all the possible
objects or things
are available.
Here “something” refers to a
specific, unnamed thing that
the speaker has in mind.

Where “nothing” is used The verb is positive.
The singular form of the verb is used in a positive statement,
with “anything” and “something.”
“anything” can be used
in a negative statement
with the same meaning.
The verb is negative.
This statement is negative, so
“anything” is used, not “something.”

FURTHER EXAMPLES

FURTHER EXAMPLES

“Anything” used in positive statements
shows the possibilities are unlimited.

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