Some thing, Anything, Everything – English Grammar Exercises for A2
You (David) are finishing your workday and giving a final report to your manager (Sarah) before turning off your computer. Read the conversation carefully and choose the best option (A, B, or C) to complete each sentence.
1 David: “Good evening, Sarah. I am logging off now. I am happy to report that _____ is completed for the day.”
(A) anything
(B) something
(C) everything
2 Sarah: “Thank you, David. Is _____ ready for the client presentation tomorrow morning?”
(A) everything
(B) something
(C) anything
3 David: “Yes, I double-checked all the slides and documents. _____ looks perfect.”
(A) Anything
(B) Everything
(C) Something
4 Sarah: “That is great news. Did you need help with _____ on the weekly financial report?”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
5 David: “No, I managed to finish it all by myself. _____ was submitted to the accounting department an hour ago.”
(A) Everything
(B) Anything
(C) Something
6 Sarah: “Excellent. I heard a strange noise from your computer earlier. Is _____ okay with your machine?”
(A) everything
(B) anything
(C) something
7 David: “Yes, it was just a background software update. _____ works fine now.”
(A) Something
(B) Anything
(C) Everything
8 Sarah: “Before you leave the office, is there _____ else we need to discuss?”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
9 David: “I don’t think so. _____ has been covered in our morning team meeting.”
(A) Everything
(B) Something
(C) Anything
10 Sarah: “Wait, I couldn’t find the new marketing folder. Do you know _____ about it?”
(A) everything
(B) anything
(C) something
11 David: “Oh, I put it on your desk. _____ you need for the campaign is inside that folder.”
(A) Anything
(B) Something
(C) Everything
12 Sarah: “I see it now. Please make sure _____ is turned off before you lock the main door.”
(A) everything
(B) anything
(C) something
13 David: “The lights, the AC, and the printer are off. _____ is completely shut down.”
(A) Something
(B) Everything
(C) Anything
14 Sarah: “Did the manager from the sales team leave _____ for me to sign?”
(A) everything
(B) anything
(C) something
15 David: “Yes, she left _____ in a brown envelope. It is right next to your keyboard.”
(A) anything
(B) something
(C) everything
16 Sarah: “Perfect. If _____ urgent happens tonight, I will send you a text message.”
(A) anything
(B) everything
(C) something
17 David: “Understood. I also made sure that _____ is properly saved and backed up on the shared company drive.”
(A) anything
(B) something
(C) everything
18 Sarah: “Excellent work today, David. It seems that _____ is in perfect order.”
(A) everything
(B) anything
(C) something
19 David: “I checked my daily list twice. I didn’t forget _____, did I?”
(A) anything
(B) everything
(C) something
20 Sarah: “No, your checklist is 100% complete. _____ is exactly how it should be. Have a good night!”
(A) Anything
(B) Something
(C) Everything
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (C) everything
- Why it’s correct: You are confirming that 100% of your tasks are done. “Everything” summarizes all your work. Notice the singular verb “is”.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Anything” is incorrect in this positive statement. (B) “Something” implies only one task is done, which doesn’t fit an end-of-day completion report.
2 (A) everything
- Why it’s correct: The manager wants to know if the entire presentation (100% of it) is ready.
- Error Analysis: (B) “Something” asks if just one random part is ready. (C) “Anything” asks if at least one thing is ready, which is too weak for a professional check.
3 (B) Everything
- Why it’s correct: A formal, generalizing statement meaning “All the slides and documents.” Note the singular verb “looks” (Everything looks).
- Error Analysis: (A) “Anything” cannot be the subject of this positive sentence. (C) “Something” implies only one slide looks perfect.
4 (B) anything
- Why it’s correct: A general Yes/No question asking if the employee needs help with any random part of the report.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Something” is a common mistake (usually reserved for offers/requests). (C) “Everything” implies needing help with 100% of the report, which contradicts the context.
5 (A) Everything
- Why it’s correct: Reporting that the entire financial report (100%) was submitted. Note the singular verb “was” (Everything was).
- Error Analysis: (B) “Anything” cannot be the subject here. (C) “Something” means only a piece of the report was submitted.
6 (A) everything
- Why it’s correct: A common fixed expression: “Is everything okay?” It asks if the overall status of the computer is 100% fine.
- Error Analysis: (B) “Anything” is grammatically possible but less natural for asking about overall status. (C) “Something” implies the manager knows there is a specific problem, but she is asking generally.
7 (C) Everything
- Why it’s correct: Confirming the total, overall status is 100% fine. Note the singular verb “works” (Everything works).
- Error Analysis: (A) “Something” means only one part of the computer works. (B) “Anything” is a structural error as a subject here.
8 (B) anything
- Why it’s correct: A standard open question checking if there is a single remaining topic to discuss.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Something” is a common mistake. (C) “Everything” changes the meaning to asking if they must discuss “all things in the world.”
9 (A) Everything
- Why it’s correct: Confirming that 100% of the topics have already been discussed. Note the singular verb “has” (Everything has).
- Error Analysis: (B) “Something” implies only one topic was covered. (C) “Anything” cannot be the subject of this affirmative sentence.
10 (B) anything
- Why it’s correct: A general Yes/No question asking for any amount of knowledge about the folder.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Everything” asks if David knows 100% of the facts about the folder, which is too broad. (C) “Something” is a common mistake.
11 (C) Everything
- Why it’s correct: Stating that 100% of the needed materials are in the folder.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Anything” cannot be the subject here. (B) “Something” implies only one item is inside.
12 (A) everything
- Why it’s correct: The manager is giving an instruction to turn off 100% of the electronics. Note the singular verb “is” (Everything is turned off).
- Error Analysis: (B) “Anything” is grammatically incorrect here. (C) “Something” means David only has to turn off one machine.
13 (B) Everything
- Why it’s correct: A summary statement grouping the lights, AC, and printer together. Note the singular verb “is”.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Something” is a meaning trap. (C) “Anything” is a structural error.
14 (B) anything
- Why it’s correct: A general question asking if the sales manager left even a single item.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Everything” is a meaning trap. (C) “Something” is a common mistake for A2 learners in general questions.
15 (B) something
- Why it’s correct: An affirmative sentence referring to one specific, unidentified item in an envelope.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Anything” is a structural error in an affirmative sentence. (C) “Everything” means she left all her possessions in the envelope!
16 (A) anything
- Why it’s correct: In “if” clauses (conditionals), we use “anything” to mean “any random event/item”.
- Error Analysis: (B) “Everything” means “if all things go wrong at once”, which is too extreme. (C) “Something” is a common mistake.
17 (C) everything
- Why it’s correct: A formal report stating that 100% of the files are backed up. Note the singular verb “is”.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Anything” is a structural error. (B) “Something” implies only one file was saved, which is a bad practice!
18 (A) everything
- Why it’s correct: A summarizing statement that the overall situation (100% of the office) is perfect. Note the singular verb “is”.
- Error Analysis: (B) “Anything” is a structural error. (C) “Something” is a meaning trap.
19 (A) anything
- Why it’s correct: “Didn’t forget” is a negative phrase. We must use “anything” to mean “not a single task”.
- Error Analysis: (B) “Everything” means “I didn’t forget 100% of the tasks (I only forgot 50%)”, which is a bad report! (C) “Something” is a major grammatical error with “didn’t”.
20 (C) Everything
- Why it’s correct: The final conclusion. 100% of the work is perfect. Note the singular verb “is”.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Anything” cannot be the subject of this positive sentence. (B) “Something” is too weak (only one thing is perfect).
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
1 “EVERYTHING” as a Formal Subject:
- When you want to summarize that 100% of your tasks or items are complete, use Everything as the subject of your sentence. It sounds professional and highly generalizing.
- Example: “Everything is completed for the day.”
2 The “Singular Verb” Rule (CRITICAL):
- “Everything” represents a large group of things, but grammatically, it acts as a Singular Pronoun.
- You MUST use singular verbs with it: is, was, has, does, or verbs with an -s/-es ending.
- Correct: Everything is perfect. / Everything was sent. / Everything looks good.
- Incorrect: Everything are perfect. / Everything were sent. / Everything look good.
3 When to use “Anything”:
- Use anything in negative sentences (with don’t, didn’t, isn’t) to mean “zero”. (I didn’t forget anything.)
- Use anything in general questions and “If” clauses. (Is anything wrong? / If anything happens…)
4 When to use “Something”:
- Use something in affirmative (positive) sentences when referring to one single, unspecified item.
- Example: “She left something in an envelope.”