ENGLISH
REFERENCE

anybody

pron.
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈɛnibədi// UK //ˈɛnɪbˌɒdi// any·body General-service Informal

pron. any person at all. You use it in questions or negative sentences when the specific person does not matter.

pron. any person, regardless of identity. Used primarily in interrogative and negative constructions, or in affirmative clauses to indicate an open choice among all possible people.


SIMPLE

Does anybody have a pen?

CONTEXTUAL

I didn't see anybody I knew at the party, so I left early.

COMPLEX

The challenge is open to anybody who wishes to participate, provided they meet the basic age requirements and submit their application before the deadline.

Origin

From Middle English ani-bodi, anybodi, eny body, equivalent to any + body.

Usage

Functions as a singular pronoun; verbs following it must take the third-person singular form.

Pitfall

Anybody have their books?Does anybody have their books?In formal writing, anybody requires a singular verb like 'does' or 'has' rather than a plural one.

Idioms2 entries

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