Any words

Words having prefix “any” are known as Any words. You can use prefix any to form new words having totally different meanings. Any words are one-word form (Any-word).

As we learned in the previous lesson that the general difference between some words and any words is that ‘some words’ are used for positive while ‘any words’ are used for negative statements and questions. When we are using ‘any’ in questions, it means we are not limiting the choice.

• Example: would you like anything to drink? ( it includes all types of drinks).

Whereas when we use some in questions, that means we are limiting the choice to maybe 2 or 3.

• Example: would you like something to drink?-Coffee or cold drink? 

We can combine any and some with different words to form compound words like anything, something, anyone, anybody, somebody, etc. There can be many words having prefix any. Some of them are discussed below.

Anyone / Anybody:

Anyone means any person at all. We use anyone/ anybody to talk about people in general. ‘Anyone’ and ‘anybody’ are interchangeable, but ‘anybody’ is more common in spoken English. When we use ‘anyone’, we refer to a whole group of people instead of some specific person.

‘Anyone’ and ‘anybody’ are singular terms. Both are commonly used in negatives and questions.

Note: don’t confuse yourself with ‘Any-one’. Any-one means any single member of the group. It is a two-word form. The difference between ‘Anyone’ and ‘any one’ is that ‘Anyone’ refers to any person from the group, and ‘any one’ refers to any one person from the group.

Example :

• Is Anyone home?
• Does anybody need help?
• If anybody asks for me, tell them I am at a library.
• Anyone can join the class. ( only one person can join the class).
• Anybody can do it.
• Did I ask anyone to do this assignment?
• Is there anyone who has not submitted the assignment?

Anywhere:

Anywhere is another kind of word having prefix any. Anywhere means in, at, or to any place. It can also mean to any extent or degree. It can also refer to some limits. You can also use anywhere to refer to some direction.

Anywhere is most commonly used in negative statements and questions. Anywhere means to all possible locations and somewhere means to some unknown specific location.

Example:

     Place:

• have you seen my book anywhere?
• I can’t find my earphones anywhere.
• You can put the books in the room anywhere.
• To some extent:
• He’s not anywhere near finished.
• Your answer doesn’t come anywhere near the right one. 

Direction:

• A thunderstorm can come from anywhere.
• Arrow can come from anywhere.

Limitation: 

• Anywhere from 200-300 people were injured in that fight.
• Your result can lie anywhere between 80 and 90, but nothing more.

Anything:

The word ‘anything’ itself shows its meaning. ‘Anything’ means a thing of any kind to be it any object, any matter, etc. likewise, anywhere, the word ‘anything’ can be used in many contexts. ‘Anything’ can be used to refer to some extent or degree. It can be used to show someone of importance. ‘Anything’ as a pronoun means in any way.

Many idioms are consisting of ‘anything’ like anything but, like anything, anything goes, etc. We usually use ‘anything’ to talk about things that have a chance of occurrence.

• Example:  Are you ready for anything?

We also use anything to talk about a thing of a particular kind.

• Example:  do you like anything sweet?

Likewise other any words, ‘anything’ is also commonly used In questions and negative statements.

Example:

• She isn’t anything like last year’s president.
• Sara had to be something to start her career, and Harry never was anything.
• Does she still have anything to declare?
• She wasn’t anything like her mother.
• I didn’t watch anything interesting last night.
• Tell me if you hear anything about exams. 

Anyway:

Anyway means in any case or anyhow. ‘Anyway’ means nonetheless or regardless of anything. 

We use ‘anyway’ to put an end to a conversation. We often use It to put a remark to something that we just said, which makes the previous statement weak or less critical. But when we use ‘anyway’ at that start of a sentence, that means this statement supports the last statement.

Note: you don’t need to confuse yourself with two-word form ‘any-way.’ ‘Any-way’ means in any manner or by any means. There is a massive difference between ‘anyway’ and any-way, both have a different meaning.

Example: 

• I want this assignment today, anyway.
• Anyway, I need to go home, and I will meet you tomorrow.
• I don’t know what happened to my phone, anyway, its replaced now.
• You can wear it in anyway you like.
• It was hot, but we built a summer house anyway. 

Anyhow:

‘Anyhow’ and ‘anyway’ commonly have the same meanings. ‘Anyhow’ means in any manner or in ‘anyway’. It is used to support a previous statement. ‘Anyway’ and ‘anyhow’ are interchangeable when used as conjunctive adverbs.

• Example:  Ali couldn’t find his watch anywhere, anyhow he didn’t need it for the party anymore.

But if you use anyhow as an adverb, it has a different meaning than anyway. It means something is done carelessly.

Example: 

• I packed my bag anyhow.
• Anyhow, he is asleep now.
• I came late today, but I finished my homework anyhow.
• I don’t know what happened to my phone, anyhow its replaced now.

Conclusion :

There are many words having prefixes any. We have learned a few of them, which are used commonly. There isn’t much difference between a few of them. Like anyhow and anyway are interchangeable. Whereas anyways is an informal version of anyway. You can use any of them you like.

Exercise:

Choose the correct option:

1. I don’t feel like ____ can do it.
2. Anyone
3. Any one
4. Anybody
5. A and c

1. I can't find my shoes ________.
2. Anyway
3. Anyhow
4. Anywhere
5. Anything

1. Did _____ happen to your pet?
2. Anyway
3. Anyone
4. Anywhere
5. Anything

1. Complete this assignment in ____ you feel comfortable.
2. Anyhow
3. Anyway
4. Any way
5. Anywhere

1. _____, I have to leave for the airport now.
2. Anyways
3. Anyway
4. Anyhow
5. All of the above