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Newguest Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

something/anything

Hi

There's the sentence: Why are you looking under the bed? Have you lost something? I would say: Have you lost anything? Why "something"?

thanks
  

Top answer

Hi, your question got me thinking. I don't know why, but I can't make up my mind whether I would ever use "anything" in that kind of context. Maybe if I wanted to imply I don't think he lost anything.

— Kooyeen

  • Hi, your question got me thinking.
  • I don't know why, but I can't make up my mind whether I would ever use "anything" in that kind of context.
  • Maybe if I wanted to imply I don't think he lost anything.
  • "Why are you looking under the bed?
  • Did you lose anything?
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3 Answers
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Hi,
your question got me thinking. I don't know why, but I can't make up my mind whether I would ever use "anything" in that kind of context. Maybe if I wanted to imply I don't think he lost anything.

"Why are you looking under the bed? Did you lose anything? I don't think so... So what the heck are you doing in my room, under my bed?"

Otherwise, I would use "s
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That sounds pretty good to me, Kooyeen. We use some in a question when we think an affirmative answer is likely, or when we offer something (thus inviting a 'yes' answer).

The question "Why are you looking under the bed?" is an open-ended question. It's 'neutral' in that it does not suggest any possible reasons.

When you follow that question up with "Did you lose someth
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Hi. I think I get it, though it doesn't sound easy.

thanks
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