Okay, first question, can "any" go with a plural noun or is it always singular ? Second, do you Americans substitute everybody with "they". For instance, say "Everybody puts on their (or his/her) best dresses".
2007-10-29 16:21:11 · 5 answers · asked by Luke M. 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
In britain, we do say "Are there any stampS ?" and "Everyone-or everybody brings THEIR partners to the party. I got marked down for doing it in America. Sod it !!!
2007-10-29 16:35:09 · update #1
To johnstonemac, it's true but does that answer my questions yet ? (Not being scornful or sarcastic though)
2007-10-29 17:23:32 · update #2
Yep. "Everybody" is now considered plural in much the same way that "any" can be followed by a plural and uncountable noun: "Are there any biscuits left?" and "He doesn't have any money" or in your country, of course "He hasn't got any money".
2007-10-29 18:39:59 · answer #1 · answered by Lance 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any is used in a question and a negative answer.
e.g
Do you have any sugar? or Have you got any sugar
Sugar is an uncountable noun. Or a countable noun Do you have any pencils? ro Have you got any pencils?
Any is used with uncountable and countable nouns (used is the plural) you cannot say Have you got any telepone? (countable noun) The correct is Have you got A telephone?
The answers being: No I haven't got any sugar. or No, I don't have any sugar.
If the answer is positive then 'some' is used instead of 'any'
Yes, I have got SOME sugar.
2007-10-29 20:48:45 · answer #2 · answered by asimenia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This question is politically loaded.
Originally it was "everybody" and "his" being singular. "His/her" or some form thereof is awkward. However, rather than exclude half the human race, many now prefer to treat "everybody" as plural and use "they." Politically conservative commentators decry this.
"Any" is singular, as in "any of them" meaning "any ONE of them."
2007-10-29 16:25:06 · answer #3 · answered by Howard H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Howard H is correct. When I lived in Rhode Is., I was sick of people pronouncing schedule skedule. (Or spelling color) I asked what language they spoke, they would say English. They aren't, are they? That's American. It really annoys me when they say English! (Just a little rant)
2007-10-29 17:20:54 · answer #4 · answered by johnstonemac 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get the answer to everything below.
http://www.answers.com/
Cheers.
2007-10-29 16:26:20 · answer #5 · answered by mailliam 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋