ENGLISH
REFERENCE

anyone

pron.
A1 Beginner Oxford US //ˈɛniˌwən// UK //ˈɛnɪwˌɒn// any·one General-service

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

pron. any person of an unspecified group. Functions as an indefinite pronoun; typically used in interrogative and negative clauses, or in affirmative clauses to imply 'no matter who'.


SIMPLE

Does anyone have a pen?

CONTEXTUAL

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

COMPLEX

The competition is open to anyone who wishes to enter, regardless of their previous experience or professional standing in the industry.

Origin

From Middle English eny on, ony one, equivalent to any + one.

Usage

Takes a singular verb even when referring to multiple people. In formal writing, 'anyone' is preferred over 'anybody', though they are semantically identical.

Pitfall

Anyone have seen my keys?Has anyone seen my keys?As an indefinite pronoun, it requires a singular verb form.

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