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Anybody is an indefinite pronoun used to refer to an unlimited group of people or things. In this lesson, we will discuss when and how to use it.
'Anybody' as an Indefinite Pronoun
Use
Anybody as an indefinite pronoun replaces nouns. In other words, it acts as a subject or an object. As we said earlier, anybody is used to refer to an indefinite group of people or things. For example:
I don’t know anybody who could make this happen.
'Anybody' is an object here.
Anybody who has a problem with it, is not my friend.
Hello? Is anybody out there?
'Anybody' means no matter who.
Position in a Sentence
Anybody as an indefinite pronoun replaces the subject or the object. It is always used with a singular verb even if it is referring to a large set of people. For example:
Anybody who is interested can join the club.
'Anybody' replaces 'the subject' and a singular verb is used.
Remember that anybody is an indefinite pronoun with a positive meaning. So, to make it negative, we need a negative verb. Remember that in this case, anybody normally acts as an object. Take a look:
I don't know anybody who likes to be there.
Another negative indefinite pronoun can be used instead of anybody in negative statements. That is nobody. Look:
I think anybody can do it.
I disagree. Nobody is able to work it out.
Tip
Anybody can be replaced with they when it is repeated in a sentence. Accordingly, its object pronoun is 'them', its possessive determiner is 'their', and its possessive pronoun is 'theirs.' Look:
Anybody can climb that high, can't they?
Anybody should know how to acknowledge their responsibilities.
I can make friends with anybody. It's enough to smile at them.
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