For example, "does anyone own a chihuahua?" Yes, there are people in the world who do. This grammar problem is bugging me!
2006-07-19 20:06:49 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Nothing amiss here. You are mistaken about how the word "anyone" functions.
What you are criticizing is standard and perfectly acceptable colloquial use. And there need not be any confusion about it. The CONTEXT makes if quite clear that the speaker is NOT referring to "anyone in the world" but to "anyone HERE" (that is, anyone in the group being addressed.)
The same goes for a whole set of indefinite pronouns that are 'absoloute' or 'global') -- anyone/anybody, everyone/everybody, no one/nobody, everything, nothing.
Consider the following examples:
** "How did you fit everything in that little trunk?!"
** "Did everyone remember to go to the bathroom?" (Mom speaking to kids before taking off on a long drive)
** "Did anybody get an A on this test?"
** "Nobody knew his name."
In these sentences "everything" clearly does not mean "everything in the universe", nor does "everyone" or "anyone" refer to the whole earth's (universe's?!) population! And it's likely tjhat SOMEONE knows the mystery person's name, just not the people in the group you are speaking about.
So what is the scope of each of these words? It all depends on the setting. If we know the setting (e.g., we're THERE) it should all be very clear.
For instance, if you ask question three in a gathering of the whole class that took the same test "anybody" refers to all the people in the class. On the other hand, if this is a standard unit test taken year after year or taken all over the county, state, etc. So it's possible that "anybody" could refer to a larger group. But the point is that the scope of the group would be KNOWN to the hearers.
In any case, it would we absurd to suggest that whenever a person uses one of these pronouns without meaning all the people or things in the world, they must explicitly NAME the group they mean.
2006-07-20 12:56:27 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
It's actually a perfectly acceptable colloquialism.
It's quite obvious that when one does ask such a question in this forum, the question is directed to those persons who would actually answer said question. The "any of you" is assumed.
2006-07-19 20:10:33 · answer #2 · answered by DEATH 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When i hear "Does anyone own a chihuahua?" I interpret "Does any one of you own a chihuahua?".
2006-07-19 20:11:14 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
people use anyone rather than any of you because it is easier to say, and it shortens the sentence if you are writing it. It is like is Filipino Ako'y si Jeremy, or Ako si Jeremy, instead of Ako ay si Jeremy (I'm Jeremy instead of I am Jeremy)
2006-07-19 20:31:06 · answer #4 · answered by JepJep92 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because to make "any of you" correct, people would have to ask with DO not DOES. does anyone is correct. do any of you is correct. wtf - u don't even know what ur talking about!? u wouldn't ask "does u have a cup of sugar?" would u? duh
have u never heard of you being the understood subject?
go back to english class - u bug me!
2006-07-19 20:13:41 · answer #5 · answered by ebabsto 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's what is called a figure of speech dint be so critical
2006-07-19 20:09:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, English is my second language. What is the difference?
2006-07-19 20:21:03 · answer #7 · answered by sabina-2004@sbcglobal.net 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shorter version, sounds better
2006-07-19 20:52:36 · answer #8 · answered by Trauemer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Haha, just to make you happy, I'll use "Any of you" from now on.
2006-07-19 20:10:25 · answer #9 · answered by oranjeesoccer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll do the same as oranjeesoccer.
2006-07-19 20:14:03 · answer #10 · answered by robbob 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋