Everything or anything?

Question

Hi, I am not sure how to use the two words correctly between everything and anything.
EX: I do everything I can.
I do anything I can.
Which one is correct? Can I use any for affirmative statement?
Thanks,
Ky

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Hi, I'm not sure how to choose correctly between "everything" and "anything".

I do everything I can.
I do anything I can.

Which one is correct? Can I use "any" in an affirmative statement?
______

Both are correct. The meanings are different. More words are needed to provide contexts to show how each is used. "any" can be used in an affirmative statement.

(* in front of a sentence means it doesn't work.
? in front of a sentence means it doesn't work very well.)

When you do everything you can, you do all the things you know how to do (in a given situation). There is a sense of thoroughness.

Her husband did everything for her, and still she complained.
*Her husband did anything for her, and still she complained.

[The husband did all the things he could think of to please her.]

When you do anything you can, you choose one or several things you know how to do, and it doesn't matter very much which things you choose. There is a sense of choosing something and a sense of "it doesn't matter what".

Paul is very afraid of snakes.
He'll do anything to avoid them.
?He'll do everything to avoid them.

[With "anything", if Paul sees a snake, he will choose something to do in order to avoid the snake, and it doesn't matter what he does to avoid it, as long as he can get away from the snake!]
_______

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

Every number above: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Any of the numbers above: 6
Any of the numbers above: 3
Any of the numbers above: 2
Any of the numbers above: 5

Not every number above: 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Not every number above: 3 5 6 9
Not every number above: 6
Not any of the numbers above:

______

Larry wants to learn to speak English.
He would give anything to speak it well.

(Very few people would give everything to speak English well!)

Kynguyen · Answer

thanks CaliJim, good explanation.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi, The word everything is specific, while, anything is generic. Therefore, you can do everything within
your reach, but not anything. Because anything is everything, but, everything
often turns out to be nothing.
tnxs

Everything or anything?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions