Everything, Something, Anything, Nothing

 

The words everything, something, anything, and nothing are indefinite pronouns. We use these words to refer to things.

We use singular verbs after all these words.

• Everything is ready for the party.
• Something smells like rotten meat.
• There is nothing wrong with the engine.
• Is anything the matter?

We can use everything, something, anything, and nothing as the subject or as the object of a sentence.

• He pushed the button but nothing happened.
• I know nothing about football.
• She did everything to save their marriage.
• Everything is processed by computer.

Everything

Everything means all things. When everything is a subject, we use it with a singular verb.

• Everything is packed, and we are ready to leave.

We can use everything to refer to a particular situation or life in general.

• Is everything all right?
• Did everything go smoothly?
• Everything is fine.

Everything can mean the most important thing in your life.

• He says money isn’t everything.
• My family is everything to me.
• Your friendship means everything to me.

Something

We use something to refer to a particular thing that is not exactly known or stated. We don’t usually use something in negatives and questions

• I need to talk to you about something.
• There’s something in my shoe.
• Give me something to do. I’m bored.

We can use something to show that the description or amount that we are giving is not exact.

• This drink tastes something like lemon.
• She weighs something between 50 and 60 kilograms.
• He earns something around $50,000 a year.

Anything

We use anything instead of something in negatives and questions.

• I don't know anything about this.
• Did you notice anything strange?
• Is there anything in the bag?
• She hardly ate anything.

We can use anything to refer to a thing when it does not matter which.

• They'll eat almost anything.
• Now you can do anything you want.

Nothing

Nothing means not anything or no single thing. We don’t use a negative verb in a clause with nothing.

• There was nothing in the drawer.
• I turned the key but nothing happened.
• Nothing would make him change his mind.

We can use nothing on its own in short answers.

• A: What’s that in your hand? B: Nothing!

We can use nothing with but to mean only.

• He’s nothing but a thief.
• He'll need nothing but a miracle to pass this test.