something

The word "something" is a pronoun that substitutes for a thing, an idea, or an emotion–but not a person. It’s a good word to use if you don’t know the name of a thing in English:

• There’s something in your hair.
• We saw something strange in the street.
• Hilda bought something at the store.
• Something happened to our car.
• Mike ate something that made him sick.
• Do you want to do something today?
• I have something to say.
• Is there something wrong?

It’s important to remember that "something" can’t be used with negatives or verbs that have been made negative. Instead, use "anything" or "nothing."

• There’s isn’t anything wrong.
• I don’t have anything to say.
• Nothing is wrong with my car.

There’s a difference between "something" and "some things." The word "something" can’t be made plural, but the word "thing" can add an "s," so there are instances when "some" and "things" appear together as two separate words:

• There are some things I need from the store.
• I need something from the store.
• They saw some things in the museum that they had never seen before.
• They saw something interesting in the museum.
• Robert said some things that he regrets.
• Robert said something that he regrets.

Click here to learn more words.

May 23, 2013