Some thing, Anything, Everything – English Grammar Exercises for A2
Today is your best friend Alex’s birthday. You take Alex to a very expensive restaurant to celebrate, and you want to pay for the meal. Read your conversation and choose the best option (A, B, or C) to complete each sentence.
1 You: “Happy Birthday, Alex! Today is your special day, so please look at the menu. You can order _____ you want.”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
2 You: “Don’t worry about the prices today. Seriously, just choose _____ you like.”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
3 You: “I brought plenty of money. If you want lobster, steak, or pasta, _____ is fine with me.”
(A) everything
(B) something
(C) anything
4 You: “If you want to try the luxury dishes, you can point to _____ on this page, and I will buy it.”
(A) anything
(B) something
(C) everything
5 Alex: “Are you sure? This place is expensive. I don’t want to order _____ that costs too much.”
(A) anything
(B) something
(C) everything
6 You: “I promise! I want you to be completely happy. You can add _____ to your order right now.”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
7 You: “Look at the dessert section. If _____ catches your eye, just tell the waiter.”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
8 You: “We can even share our food. I am not a picky eater, so I will eat _____ you decide to share with me.”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
9 You: “Actually, the food smells so good that I am starving. I am so hungry I could eat _____!”
(A) everything
(B) something
(C) anything
10 You: “Here is the waiter. Are you ready? You can literally ask him for _____.”
(A) anything
(B) something
(C) everything
11 Alex: “Thank you so much! I think I will start with _____ warm, like a bowl of mushroom soup.”
(A) anything
(B) something
(C) everything
12 You: “Great choice. And for the main course? Pick _____ with seafood if you want.”
(A) anything
(B) something
(C) everything
13 Alex: “I can’t decide between the crab and the salmon. _____ on this menu sounds absolutely delicious.”
(A) Everything
(B) Anything
(C) Something
14 You: “Then get both! Like I said, _____ is possible tonight because it is your birthday.”
(A) everything
(B) something
(C) anything
15 Alex: “You are the best. I promise I won’t order _____ too crazy, though.”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
16 You: “I mean it, Alex. You have total freedom. Choose _____ from this list, and it’s my treat.”
(A) anything
(B) everything
(C) something
17 You: “What about drinks? You can select _____ from the wine and juice menu.”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
18 Alex: “I will just have some water. I really don’t need _____ else to drink right now.”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
19 Alex: “This dinner is already perfect. I wouldn’t trade this moment for _____ in the world.”
(A) everything
(B) anything
(C) something
20 You: “Alright! Let’s celebrate. Tonight, _____ is about making you happy!”
(A) anything
(B) something
(C) everything
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) anything
- Why it’s correct: In an affirmative sentence, “anything” means “it doesn’t matter what” (free choice). You are giving Alex unlimited freedom to choose whatever dish he wants.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Something” restricts the choice to one single, specific thing. (C) “Everything” means ordering the entire menu, which is physically impossible.
2 (B) anything
- Why it’s correct: Again, this is an affirmative sentence expressing free choice. “Choose anything” means “choose whatever item you desire.”
- Error Analysis: (A) “Something” is a common mistake; it doesn’t convey the generous “unlimited options” tone. (C) “Everything” is a meaning trap.
3 (C) anything
- Why it’s correct: “Anything is fine” means “Whatever you choose is fine.” It shows total flexibility and acceptance of any choice.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Everything” implies all options must be chosen at once. (B) “Something” is grammatically okay but misses the “free choice” communicative purpose.
4 (A) anything
- Why it’s correct: You are offering the whole page of luxury dishes as an open option. “Point to anything” means no restrictions.
- Error Analysis: (B) “Something” limits the generosity. (C) “Everything” means pointing to every single item on the page.
5 (A) anything
- Why it’s correct: This is a standard negative sentence (“don’t want to order”). We must use “anything” in negative sentences.
- Error Analysis: (B) “Something” is a major grammatical error with “don’t”. (C) “Everything” changes the meaning entirely.
6 (B) anything
- Why it’s correct: Affirmative sentence expressing free choice. “Add anything” means “add whatever you like.”
- Error Analysis: (A) “Something” restricts the choice. (C) “Everything” means adding the whole restaurant’s stock to the order.
7 (B) anything
- Why it’s correct: In “if” clauses (conditionals), we frequently use “anything” to mean “any random item.”
- Error Analysis: (A) “Something” is a common mistake. (C) “Everything” means “if all things catch your eye,” which is unnatural.
8 (B) anything
- Why it’s correct: “I will eat anything” means “I will eat whatever food you give me; I have no rules.”
- Error Analysis: (A) “Something” limits the eating to one specific item. (C) “Everything” means eating all the food, which might be too much.
9 (C) anything
- Why it’s correct: This is a common English hyperbole (exaggeration). “I could eat anything” means “I am so hungry I have no preferences; whatever food is available is fine.”
- Error Analysis: (A) “Everything” means eating all the food in the world. (B) “Something” is too weak for this level of hunger.
10 (A) anything
- Why it’s correct: Affirmative sentence granting unlimited permission (“ask for whatever you want”).
- Error Analysis: (B) “Something” is a common mistake. (C) “Everything” is a meaning trap.
11 (B) something
- Why it’s correct: Alex has made a specific, narrow choice (“warm, like soup”). Because he has a specific but unnamed item in mind, “something” is correct.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Anything” means he doesn’t care what it is, which contradicts the specific detail “like soup.” (C) “Everything warm” means ordering all the warm dishes in the kitchen!
12 (A) anything
- Why it’s correct: You are giving him free choice within a specific category (“whatever item that has seafood in it”).
- Error Analysis: (B) “Something” is a common mistake. (C) “Everything” is a meaning trap.
13 (A) Everything
- Why it’s correct: Alex is looking at the menu and stating that 100% of the items look good to him. “All things” = Everything.
- Error Analysis: (B) “Anything” cannot be the subject of this sentence. (C) “Something” implies only one dish sounds delicious, which contradicts his indecision.
14 (C) anything
- Why it’s correct: “Anything is possible” is a fixed phrase meaning “there are zero limits or restrictions.”
- Error Analysis: (A) “Everything” changes the nuance. (B) “Something” means only one thing is possible.
15 (B) anything
- Why it’s correct: “Won’t order” is a negative phrase, requiring “anything” to mean “zero crazy things.”
- Error Analysis: (A) “Something” is a grammatical error. (C) “Everything” is a meaning trap.
16 (A) anything
- Why it’s correct: Another strong affirmative statement of free choice (“choose whatever you want”).
- Error Analysis: (C) “Something” is a common mistake. (B) “Everything” is a meaning trap.
17 (B) anything
- Why it’s correct: Affirmative sentence giving unlimited choice from the drink menu.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Something” restricts the choice. (C) “Everything” is a meaning trap.
18 (B) anything
- Why it’s correct: Negative sentence (“don’t need”).
- Error Analysis: (A) “Something” is grammatically incorrect. (C) “Everything” is a meaning trap.
19 (B) anything
- Why it’s correct: “Wouldn’t trade for anything” is a famous negative English idiom. It means there is absolutely nothing in the world that could replace this moment.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Everything” is grammatically incorrect in this negative idiom. (C) “Something” is a structural error.
20 (C) everything
- Why it’s correct: A summarizing affirmative sentence. “All things” (the whole night, the whole dinner) are about him.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Anything” is a structural error. (B) “Something” means only a small part of the night is about him.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
1 The “Free Choice” Rule for ANYTHING:
- Usually, A2 learners are taught that “anything” is only for negative sentences and questions. However, there is a very important exception!
- In Affirmative (Positive) Sentences, you can use Anything to mean “it doesn’t matter what” or “whatever you choose.”
- It is used to show total freedom, zero limits, and open possibilities.
- Examples: * You can order anything. (Order whatever food you like).
- I will eat anything. (I am not picky; whatever food is fine).
- Pick anything from the menu. (You have 100% free choice).
2 Contrast with SOMETHING:
- Use Something in positive sentences when you have a specific but unnamed item in mind. It limits the choice to just one thing.
- Example: I want to eat something warm. (The choice is restricted to warm food only).
3 Standard Rules Reminder:
- Negative Sentences: Always use anything with don’t, won’t, didn’t, couldn’t, etc. (I don’t need anything else.)
- Totality: Use Everything when you mean 100% of the items in a group. It takes a singular verb. (Everything on this menu sounds delicious.)