You can't tell somebody / anybody why they've failed.

Question

Hello.What  is the difference in meaning?- You can't  tell somebody  why  they've  failed.- You can't  tell  anybody  why  they've  failed.Thanks.

ChrisD · Accepted Answer

Well, I suppose 'somebody' is kind of more specific, but still not 'specific' as we recognise the term. They're still both generic sentences.

Jesusengland · Answer

Hello.

But is it possible to use somebody in negative sentences like in this one ?

You can't tell somebody why they've failed.

I have learnt that somebody is possible in negative questions.

Thanks.

Philip · Answer

You can't tell anybody our secret. [in general]
You can't tell somebody [an unspecified person] he looks stupid.

I'll let anybody who is interested know about the plans. [in general]
I'll let somebody in the door if I know who he is. [unspecified person]

CalifJim · Answer

Here's how I hear them.
You can't tell anybody why they've failed.
You personally must not tell even a single person who failed the reason that they have failed. (It must be kept a secret from each of them.)

I get the impression that one teacher is talking to another teacher about students who have failed an exam. (I have no idea why the teacher might say this at all, but that's the impression I get of the sort of circumstance in which this sentence might be said.)
___
You can't tell somebody why they've failed.
People, in general, would be remiss to tell another the reason for his failure. Telling a person why he has failed is just "not done". It's not right.
Here I sense that you is impersonal. This is a general statement that shows mild shock at the possibility that a person would tell this information to another. (Here again, I have no idea why a person might have such opinions, but that's the impression I get of what the sentence expresses.)
___
Briefly,
You can't tell anybody ...
There does not exist even a single person to whom you are permitted to tell ...
You can't tell somebody ...
It is not appropriate to tell a person, whoever it may be, ...
CJ

You can't tell somebody / anybody why they've failed.

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You can't tell somebody why they've failed.

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