somebody, anybody, nobody

Grammar notes

People: Somebody, Anybody, Nobody

These words work like something / anything / nothing, but for people. Use somebody mostly in affirmative sentences, anybody often in questions and negatives, and nobody for a full negative idea. They are useful when the exact person does not matter or is unknown.

• Example: Somebody is at the door.
• Example: Nobody called me.

Quick Rule

• somebody -> often affirmative
• anybody -> often question or negative
• nobody -> already negative

The pattern stays the same; only the meaning shifts from things to people.