Nobody vs. Somebody
What is the difference between the two indefinite pronouns of 'nobody' and 'somebody'? Where can we use each one of them. Let's find out.
Are They Opposites?
'Nobody' and 'somebody' both can be either indefinite pronouns or used as nouns.
'Nobody' and 'Somebody' as Indefinite Pronouns
'Nobody': Pronoun
As an indefinite pronoun, 'nobody' means no person; 'no one'.
Somebody: Pronoun
However, 'somebody' as an indefinite pronoun means an unspecified person.
As opposed to the example below which has the opposite meaning to the first example:
Nobody: Negative Maker
Words such as 'nobody', 'nowhere', or 'nothing' are negative markers. It means in standard English, when we use these negative markers in a sentence, we should not commonly use a negative verb.
I opened the door and said hello but there was but there wasn’t nobody in the room.)
'Somebody': Negative or Positive Statement?
We can use 'somebody' in negative questions. But in statements, 'somebody' can only be used with positive verbs (in negative statements, you should use 'anybody').
I called
I didn't called
'Nobody' and 'Somebody' as Nouns
'Nobody': Noun
As a noun, 'nobody' means a person who is not important or famous, or influential.
Everyone at school, treated him like like a
'Somebody': Noun
Whereas, 'somebody' means a famous, renowned person, someone who is a celebrity.
He wants to be a
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