Someone, something, somewhere: an unspecified person, thing or place
What words beginning with some- mean
Someone / somebody names an unspecified person, something a thing or phenomenon, and somewhere a place. The ending helps you interpret the word: -one / -body refers to a person, -thing to a thing, and -where to a location or destination.
Someone, somebody and something are indefinite pronouns: they can replace the name of a person or thing. Somewhere is usually an adverb of place: in We parked somewhere, it explains where we parked, while we is the subject.
When someone, somebody or something is the subject, the verb agrees as singular: someone is, somebody has, something happens. This is not a rule to put is after every some- word: the word’s role in the sentence matters.
Someone left a jacket on the bench in the park.
Someone left a jacket on the bench in the park.
Someone is the unknown person performing the action here.
There's something odd about this old clock.
There's something odd about this old clock.
Something refers to an unspecified characteristic.
We parked the car somewhere near the entrance.
We parked the car somewhere near the entrance.
Somewhere gives an unspecified parking location.
Person, thing or place: choosing the word’s second part
When choosing the word, ask whether you mean a person, a thing/idea/action, or a place. -one/-body refers to a person, -thing to a thing or phenomenon, and -where to a place.
This distinction does not depend on whether the sentence is a statement, offer or request. Choose the second part according to what you are referring to.
Somebody knocked on the door twice before leaving.
Somebody knocked on the door twice before leaving.
Somebody is the person performing the action.
I think I forgot something important in the taxi.
I think I forgot something important in the taxi.
Something refers to the forgotten thing.
Let's put the bikes somewhere out of the rain.
Let's put the bikes somewhere out of the rain.
Somewhere refers to a place for the bikes.
Statements, offers and requests: where some- is used
In an ordinary positive statement, the speaker confidently states that something exists, someone acted, or something happened in a place. Some- is natural in such a sentence.
The offer Would you like something to drink? naturally uses some- because the speaker offers an available or possible thing. Question form does not automatically require changing some- to any-.
In the request Could I leave my coat somewhere here?, the speaker asks for a place for the coat. Some- does not guarantee a positive answer: it is a way to phrase a request, rather than an assertion that the listener will definitely agree.
Someone already booked the conference room for two o'clock.
Someone already booked the conference room for two o'clock.
A statement of fact.
Would you like something cold before the film starts?
Would you like something cold before the film starts?
An offer in question form.
Could I leave my coat somewhere here?
Could I leave my coat somewhere here?
A polite request.
The boundary with any-: when the prefix changes
Ordinary positive statements often use some-, while neutral questions and negatives use any-. However, the meaning and speaker’s expectations matter: Is someone there? can suggest the speaker thinks a person is there, while Is anyone there? is an open enquiry.
Offers and requests often keep some-. This does not mean the answer is known in advance, or that any- is impossible in every request. Choose according to the specific meaning, rather than only the question mark.
Here we focus on some-. The comparison with any- shows the boundary; the full systems of any-, every- and no- belong to other rules.
They brought something homemade to the picnic.
They brought something homemade to the picnic.
A confident positive statement → some-.
Is there anything left in the fridge from the party?
Is there anything left in the fridge from the party?
A neutral question with anything. Something is also possible if the speaker assumes food is left.
I haven't found anywhere quiet to study yet.
I haven't found anywhere quiet to study yet.
A negative → any-; this is a contrast, rather than the topic of this rule.
Agreement and referring back
Someone, somebody and something as subjects need a singular verb: is, has, does; in an ordinary past description, was. Somewhere usually gives a place and does not determine the subject’s number: They are somewhere nearby.
After someone / somebody, they / their is natural for referring back when the person’s gender is unknown or irrelevant: Someone left their umbrella. This is normal modern usage in both speech and writing. The verb directly agreeing with someone remains singular.
Somebody has forgotten their keys on the counter.
Somebody has forgotten their keys on the counter.
Has agrees with singular somebody; their refers to the same person without specifying gender.
Something was making a strange noise in the attic.
Something was making a strange noise in the attic.
Use was, rather than were, because the subject is singular.
Someone or somebody: the same meaning
Someone and somebody mean the same thing and are interchangeable in all the sentences of this rule, including statements, offers and requests. Something and somewhere do not have a corresponding alternative of this kind.
Someone is waving at you from across the street.
Someone is waving at you from across the street.
The version with someone.
Somebody is waving at you from across the street.
Somebody is waving at you from across the street.
The same meaning with somebody: both versions are correct.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:Anyone left a message on my desk this morning.
Correct:Someone left a message on my desk this morning.
This is an ordinary factual statement about an unknown person, rather than a question or negative, so use someone, rather than anyone.
Incorrect:I need somewhere are quiet to work.
Correct:I need somewhere quiet to work.
The adjective quiet follows somewhere. Here the phrase completes need, so no separate are is needed.
Incorrect:Some one has taken the last parking space.
Correct:Someone has taken the last parking space.
In the ordinary pronoun meaning of an unspecified person, write someone as one word.
Incorrect:Someone are waiting for you in the lobby.
Correct:Someone is waiting for you in the lobby.
Someone is grammatically singular, so the verb must be is, rather than are.
Incorrect:Could I leave my coat some where here?
Correct:Could I leave my coat somewhere here?
Somewhere meaning an unspecified place is one word; in this request, it names a place for the coat.
Incorrect:Something helped me carry the boxes yesterday, but I don't remember who.
Correct:Someone helped me carry the boxes yesterday, but I don't remember who.
This concerns a person who helped, rather than a thing, so use someone. Who in the second part also signals this.