Is there anybody

Question

Which of the following is correct?A.  Is anybody there?B.  Is there anybody there?Sometimes I hear 'Anybody there?' less formally in movies.  Is this acceptable?If so, can we say:C.  Anybody there paying for their groceries? = (Is) (there) anybody paying for their groceries?D.  Anybody there who would like to pay at a till? = (Is) (there) anybody who'd like to pay at a till?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Which of the following is correct? Both are OK

A. Is anybody there?

B. Is there anybody there?

Sometimes I hear 'Anybody there?' less formally in movies. Is this acceptable? Yes.

If so, can we say:

C. Anybody there paying for their groceries? = (Is) (there) anybody paying for their groceries?

D. Anybody there who would like to pay at a till? = (Is) (there) anybody who'd like to pay at a till?

You can, but be careful because it's easy to start saying things in this form that sound a bit odd.

For example, in what context would you want to say example C above?

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

For example, a customer service assistant calls the attention of the customers by saying "Anybody paying for their groceries?" to mean there is an available till. Is this fine?

Thank you for answering my previous questions.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I suppose so. But I think 'I'm open here' would be more common.

Also, in a grocery store, 'groceries' would be assumed. you'd just say 'Anybody paying?'

And if people are standing at another till in a line, it would also be assumed that they want to pay.

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

I see some things would be assumed. That's why I can just omit some words or simply rephrase my sentence to be easily understood, like what you had, in a certain situation.

OK, thank you very much. That was really helpful.

Is there anybody

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