Answer: Someone/-body, Anyone/-body

[whymzycal]

sidlj wants to know, “When is it appropriate to use ‘someone/anyone’ versus ‘somebody/anybody’?”

Comments

[jedishampoo]

As to why one would choose one over the other, that’s purely a matter of style

That's a grammar rule I can get behind. Thumbs up! :) And thank you.

[whymzycal]

I knew you would!

And you're welcome.

[lady_lirenel]

I've always felt that anyone/anybody had a more broad sense, while someone/somebody indicated that there was likely a specific person involved, even if that person's identity was unknown.

Then again, don't want to ruin the lovely 'it doesn't matter' aspect of this post, so feel free to ignore me. =D

[whymzycal]

I'm afraid my post wasn't as clear as it could have been; my apologies! It's "someone" and "somebody" that are interchangeable, just as "anyone" and "anybody" are interchangeable. The use of either -one or -body is a matter of style.

I didn't mean to imply that "someone/body" and "anyone/body" are interchangeable with each other. Sorry for the confusion!

[sidlj]

It's good to know that there isn't a longstanding rule that I'd simply forgotten!

I will remember that -one is the first choice of more writers,
and stumble on as usual from there. :-)

Thank you!

[whymzycal]

You're welcome!

[campylobacter]

Is the debate between "no one" and "nobody" the 900-lb gorilla in the room?

[whymzycal]

Hee!

A quick check of my sources reveals that "no one" is, like "anyone" and "someone," considered to be more formal and pleasing to the ear and eye, but "nobody" serves just as well.