what is the difference between everywhere and anywhere












9















I checked the difference between anywhere and everywhere in the Longman dictionary. I have understood that when the place is not important we have to use anywhere for example:




You can find a man anywhere but not a businessman everywhere.




But I do not know how to use this general rule in all times. For example, what is the appropriate word for the gap:




I lost my glasses. I looked ________, but I couldn't find them.




Is it true that generally the usage of anywhere is in negative and question sentences?










share|improve this question

























  • I have looked everywhere, but could not find anything anywhere

    – mplungjan
    Aug 7 '13 at 9:49











  • Everywhere is more specific. Each place. Anywhere is vaguer - it can be anywhere

    – mplungjan
    Aug 7 '13 at 9:52













  • Have you checked english.stackexchange.com/q/120800/14666 Q: Word-choice question: “His camera accompanied him everywhere/wherever he went in the world.”?

    – Kris
    Aug 7 '13 at 12:58











  • @Kris I've taken the liberty of adding that question to the list at the end of my answer. Hope that's OK with you. Thanks.

    – TrevorD
    Aug 7 '13 at 13:28











  • Re: Close-votes I don't believe this is GR. It is not easy to understand the differences from dictionaries, hence the multiple previous questions about anyone/everyone - they have not been closed as GR (altho' some have been closed as duplicates), so why should this be?

    – TrevorD
    Aug 7 '13 at 13:32
















9















I checked the difference between anywhere and everywhere in the Longman dictionary. I have understood that when the place is not important we have to use anywhere for example:




You can find a man anywhere but not a businessman everywhere.




But I do not know how to use this general rule in all times. For example, what is the appropriate word for the gap:




I lost my glasses. I looked ________, but I couldn't find them.




Is it true that generally the usage of anywhere is in negative and question sentences?










share|improve this question

























  • I have looked everywhere, but could not find anything anywhere

    – mplungjan
    Aug 7 '13 at 9:49











  • Everywhere is more specific. Each place. Anywhere is vaguer - it can be anywhere

    – mplungjan
    Aug 7 '13 at 9:52













  • Have you checked english.stackexchange.com/q/120800/14666 Q: Word-choice question: “His camera accompanied him everywhere/wherever he went in the world.”?

    – Kris
    Aug 7 '13 at 12:58











  • @Kris I've taken the liberty of adding that question to the list at the end of my answer. Hope that's OK with you. Thanks.

    – TrevorD
    Aug 7 '13 at 13:28











  • Re: Close-votes I don't believe this is GR. It is not easy to understand the differences from dictionaries, hence the multiple previous questions about anyone/everyone - they have not been closed as GR (altho' some have been closed as duplicates), so why should this be?

    – TrevorD
    Aug 7 '13 at 13:32














9












9








9


1






I checked the difference between anywhere and everywhere in the Longman dictionary. I have understood that when the place is not important we have to use anywhere for example:




You can find a man anywhere but not a businessman everywhere.




But I do not know how to use this general rule in all times. For example, what is the appropriate word for the gap:




I lost my glasses. I looked ________, but I couldn't find them.




Is it true that generally the usage of anywhere is in negative and question sentences?










share|improve this question
















I checked the difference between anywhere and everywhere in the Longman dictionary. I have understood that when the place is not important we have to use anywhere for example:




You can find a man anywhere but not a businessman everywhere.




But I do not know how to use this general rule in all times. For example, what is the appropriate word for the gap:




I lost my glasses. I looked ________, but I couldn't find them.




Is it true that generally the usage of anywhere is in negative and question sentences?







meaning word-choice any-every






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Aug 7 '13 at 9:50









Matt E. Эллен

25.4k1488153




25.4k1488153










asked Aug 7 '13 at 9:47









Mohammad Reza RezwaniMohammad Reza Rezwani

2752411




2752411













  • I have looked everywhere, but could not find anything anywhere

    – mplungjan
    Aug 7 '13 at 9:49











  • Everywhere is more specific. Each place. Anywhere is vaguer - it can be anywhere

    – mplungjan
    Aug 7 '13 at 9:52













  • Have you checked english.stackexchange.com/q/120800/14666 Q: Word-choice question: “His camera accompanied him everywhere/wherever he went in the world.”?

    – Kris
    Aug 7 '13 at 12:58











  • @Kris I've taken the liberty of adding that question to the list at the end of my answer. Hope that's OK with you. Thanks.

    – TrevorD
    Aug 7 '13 at 13:28











  • Re: Close-votes I don't believe this is GR. It is not easy to understand the differences from dictionaries, hence the multiple previous questions about anyone/everyone - they have not been closed as GR (altho' some have been closed as duplicates), so why should this be?

    – TrevorD
    Aug 7 '13 at 13:32



















  • I have looked everywhere, but could not find anything anywhere

    – mplungjan
    Aug 7 '13 at 9:49











  • Everywhere is more specific. Each place. Anywhere is vaguer - it can be anywhere

    – mplungjan
    Aug 7 '13 at 9:52













  • Have you checked english.stackexchange.com/q/120800/14666 Q: Word-choice question: “His camera accompanied him everywhere/wherever he went in the world.”?

    – Kris
    Aug 7 '13 at 12:58











  • @Kris I've taken the liberty of adding that question to the list at the end of my answer. Hope that's OK with you. Thanks.

    – TrevorD
    Aug 7 '13 at 13:28











  • Re: Close-votes I don't believe this is GR. It is not easy to understand the differences from dictionaries, hence the multiple previous questions about anyone/everyone - they have not been closed as GR (altho' some have been closed as duplicates), so why should this be?

    – TrevorD
    Aug 7 '13 at 13:32

















I have looked everywhere, but could not find anything anywhere

– mplungjan
Aug 7 '13 at 9:49





I have looked everywhere, but could not find anything anywhere

– mplungjan
Aug 7 '13 at 9:49













Everywhere is more specific. Each place. Anywhere is vaguer - it can be anywhere

– mplungjan
Aug 7 '13 at 9:52







Everywhere is more specific. Each place. Anywhere is vaguer - it can be anywhere

– mplungjan
Aug 7 '13 at 9:52















Have you checked english.stackexchange.com/q/120800/14666 Q: Word-choice question: “His camera accompanied him everywhere/wherever he went in the world.”?

– Kris
Aug 7 '13 at 12:58





Have you checked english.stackexchange.com/q/120800/14666 Q: Word-choice question: “His camera accompanied him everywhere/wherever he went in the world.”?

– Kris
Aug 7 '13 at 12:58













@Kris I've taken the liberty of adding that question to the list at the end of my answer. Hope that's OK with you. Thanks.

– TrevorD
Aug 7 '13 at 13:28





@Kris I've taken the liberty of adding that question to the list at the end of my answer. Hope that's OK with you. Thanks.

– TrevorD
Aug 7 '13 at 13:28













Re: Close-votes I don't believe this is GR. It is not easy to understand the differences from dictionaries, hence the multiple previous questions about anyone/everyone - they have not been closed as GR (altho' some have been closed as duplicates), so why should this be?

– TrevorD
Aug 7 '13 at 13:32





Re: Close-votes I don't believe this is GR. It is not easy to understand the differences from dictionaries, hence the multiple previous questions about anyone/everyone - they have not been closed as GR (altho' some have been closed as duplicates), so why should this be?

– TrevorD
Aug 7 '13 at 13:32










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















8














You lose a pair of glasses. You start off by saying:




  • "My glasses could be anywhere." = I don't know where my glasses are. They could be here, there, up, down. In that room, or in another room. I don't know. The glasses are in one of those many different places.


after a few minutes of searching you might say:




  • "I've looked everywhere for my glasses." = I've looked here, there, up, down, in one room, in another but with no luck. Conclusion: I still don't have my glasses.


  • "I know my glasses must be somewhere" = They are not here, there, up, nor down, in one room or in another. But they can't have disappeared. I had those glasses just a minute ago. Where are they?



I ask my wife where my glasses are. She always knows where things are.




  • "Do you know where my glasses are? I can't find them anywhere." = I've looked everywhere but I didn't find them in any of the places I looked.


My wife replies patiently




  • "Yes I do, as a matter of fact, they're on your head."






share|improve this answer































    6














    Think of the difference between any and every.




    any adj 1

    1. one, no matter which • can't find any answer.

    2. some, no matter which • have you any apples?

    [other definitions omitted]



    every adj 2

    1. each one or single of a number or collection; omitting none.

    [other definitions omitted]



    any 3

    2. used to refer to a person or thing of a particular type when what you are saying is true of all people or things of that type:
    - Any child who breaks the rules will be punished.

    - Always check the details carefully before you sign any written agreement.

    - I can see you any time on Monday.

    - If I can help in any way, let me know.


    [other definitions omitted]



    every 4

    1. used to refer to all the people or things in a particular group or all the parts of something:

    - We looked carefully at every car that drove past.

    - Every child will receive a certificate at the end of the course.

    - I enjoyed every minute of the film.

    - I listened carefully to every word he said.


    [other definitions omitted]




    In general terms:





    • any is referring to one or more items, people, or places individually


    • every is referring to all items, people, or places collectively


    So you can then apply those prefixes to get the words anywhere, everywhere - anyone, everyone, with the prefixes carrying over their individual meanings. Hence:





    • everywhere = all places


    • anywhere = one or more places


    Therefore, when searching for something, you might say:





    • I looked everywhere, ... = I looked in all places


    • ... but I couldn't find it anywhere = I could not find it in any one of the places I looked; I found it in not one (none) of the places.


    If you had said "I couldn't find it everywhere", it would have meant "I could not find it in all places (but I did find it in some places)."



    So if you have lost a particular item, you look in all places (everywhere), with the hope of finding it in one of the places (anywhere).



    In a different situation, such as in a busy city, you might say:




    • "There are cars and people everywhere: there is nowhere that is quiet."
      nowhere = not anywhere


    Going back to your original question:




    • I would say that you "use anywhere" when you are referring to a single place, the location of which is immaterial (doesn't matter). [I'm avoiding using "important" because that can have other meanings.]

    • You are correct in suggesting that "anywhere" is often used in a negative clause; e.g. "I couldn't find it anywhere"

    • and also that "anywhere" is often used in a question; e.g. "Is there anywhere (any one place) that I could get a coffee?"




    Before answering this question, I looked for any previous questions that had addressed this issue. I couldn't find any, but I did find several previous questions that discussed anyone & everyone. You may find some of those useful:




    • Open for “anyone”? Or open for “everyone”?

    • Difference between “anyone” and “everyone”?

    • What is the difference between “anyone” and “everyone” in this context


    This previous question may also be of interest (although it doesn't discuss the word anywhere):




    • His camera accompanied him everywhere/wherever he went in the world.






    share|improve this answer

































      3














      The term anywhere is indefinite. No particular place is identified or chosen.



      The term everywhere is definite. Every single possible place is identified or chosen.



      In your final example, the sentence should read




      I lost my glasses. I looked everywhere but I couldn't find them.




      because you definitely look in each particular place they might be.



      There is also a sense that everywhere suggests multiple incidents of the object or action identified. Anywhere may refer to just one element or multiple elements.




      He sowed the grass seed everywhere.



      He could have planted that [one] tree anywhere.



      He could have planted those[many] trees anywhere




      Sometimes they are equivalent.




      You can buy my book anywhere.



      You can buy my book everywhere.







      share|improve this answer






















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        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

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        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        8














        You lose a pair of glasses. You start off by saying:




        • "My glasses could be anywhere." = I don't know where my glasses are. They could be here, there, up, down. In that room, or in another room. I don't know. The glasses are in one of those many different places.


        after a few minutes of searching you might say:




        • "I've looked everywhere for my glasses." = I've looked here, there, up, down, in one room, in another but with no luck. Conclusion: I still don't have my glasses.


        • "I know my glasses must be somewhere" = They are not here, there, up, nor down, in one room or in another. But they can't have disappeared. I had those glasses just a minute ago. Where are they?



        I ask my wife where my glasses are. She always knows where things are.




        • "Do you know where my glasses are? I can't find them anywhere." = I've looked everywhere but I didn't find them in any of the places I looked.


        My wife replies patiently




        • "Yes I do, as a matter of fact, they're on your head."






        share|improve this answer




























          8














          You lose a pair of glasses. You start off by saying:




          • "My glasses could be anywhere." = I don't know where my glasses are. They could be here, there, up, down. In that room, or in another room. I don't know. The glasses are in one of those many different places.


          after a few minutes of searching you might say:




          • "I've looked everywhere for my glasses." = I've looked here, there, up, down, in one room, in another but with no luck. Conclusion: I still don't have my glasses.


          • "I know my glasses must be somewhere" = They are not here, there, up, nor down, in one room or in another. But they can't have disappeared. I had those glasses just a minute ago. Where are they?



          I ask my wife where my glasses are. She always knows where things are.




          • "Do you know where my glasses are? I can't find them anywhere." = I've looked everywhere but I didn't find them in any of the places I looked.


          My wife replies patiently




          • "Yes I do, as a matter of fact, they're on your head."






          share|improve this answer


























            8












            8








            8







            You lose a pair of glasses. You start off by saying:




            • "My glasses could be anywhere." = I don't know where my glasses are. They could be here, there, up, down. In that room, or in another room. I don't know. The glasses are in one of those many different places.


            after a few minutes of searching you might say:




            • "I've looked everywhere for my glasses." = I've looked here, there, up, down, in one room, in another but with no luck. Conclusion: I still don't have my glasses.


            • "I know my glasses must be somewhere" = They are not here, there, up, nor down, in one room or in another. But they can't have disappeared. I had those glasses just a minute ago. Where are they?



            I ask my wife where my glasses are. She always knows where things are.




            • "Do you know where my glasses are? I can't find them anywhere." = I've looked everywhere but I didn't find them in any of the places I looked.


            My wife replies patiently




            • "Yes I do, as a matter of fact, they're on your head."






            share|improve this answer













            You lose a pair of glasses. You start off by saying:




            • "My glasses could be anywhere." = I don't know where my glasses are. They could be here, there, up, down. In that room, or in another room. I don't know. The glasses are in one of those many different places.


            after a few minutes of searching you might say:




            • "I've looked everywhere for my glasses." = I've looked here, there, up, down, in one room, in another but with no luck. Conclusion: I still don't have my glasses.


            • "I know my glasses must be somewhere" = They are not here, there, up, nor down, in one room or in another. But they can't have disappeared. I had those glasses just a minute ago. Where are they?



            I ask my wife where my glasses are. She always knows where things are.




            • "Do you know where my glasses are? I can't find them anywhere." = I've looked everywhere but I didn't find them in any of the places I looked.


            My wife replies patiently




            • "Yes I do, as a matter of fact, they're on your head."







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Aug 7 '13 at 11:48









            Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A

            62.6k55221461




            62.6k55221461

























                6














                Think of the difference between any and every.




                any adj 1

                1. one, no matter which • can't find any answer.

                2. some, no matter which • have you any apples?

                [other definitions omitted]



                every adj 2

                1. each one or single of a number or collection; omitting none.

                [other definitions omitted]



                any 3

                2. used to refer to a person or thing of a particular type when what you are saying is true of all people or things of that type:
                - Any child who breaks the rules will be punished.

                - Always check the details carefully before you sign any written agreement.

                - I can see you any time on Monday.

                - If I can help in any way, let me know.


                [other definitions omitted]



                every 4

                1. used to refer to all the people or things in a particular group or all the parts of something:

                - We looked carefully at every car that drove past.

                - Every child will receive a certificate at the end of the course.

                - I enjoyed every minute of the film.

                - I listened carefully to every word he said.


                [other definitions omitted]




                In general terms:





                • any is referring to one or more items, people, or places individually


                • every is referring to all items, people, or places collectively


                So you can then apply those prefixes to get the words anywhere, everywhere - anyone, everyone, with the prefixes carrying over their individual meanings. Hence:





                • everywhere = all places


                • anywhere = one or more places


                Therefore, when searching for something, you might say:





                • I looked everywhere, ... = I looked in all places


                • ... but I couldn't find it anywhere = I could not find it in any one of the places I looked; I found it in not one (none) of the places.


                If you had said "I couldn't find it everywhere", it would have meant "I could not find it in all places (but I did find it in some places)."



                So if you have lost a particular item, you look in all places (everywhere), with the hope of finding it in one of the places (anywhere).



                In a different situation, such as in a busy city, you might say:




                • "There are cars and people everywhere: there is nowhere that is quiet."
                  nowhere = not anywhere


                Going back to your original question:




                • I would say that you "use anywhere" when you are referring to a single place, the location of which is immaterial (doesn't matter). [I'm avoiding using "important" because that can have other meanings.]

                • You are correct in suggesting that "anywhere" is often used in a negative clause; e.g. "I couldn't find it anywhere"

                • and also that "anywhere" is often used in a question; e.g. "Is there anywhere (any one place) that I could get a coffee?"




                Before answering this question, I looked for any previous questions that had addressed this issue. I couldn't find any, but I did find several previous questions that discussed anyone & everyone. You may find some of those useful:




                • Open for “anyone”? Or open for “everyone”?

                • Difference between “anyone” and “everyone”?

                • What is the difference between “anyone” and “everyone” in this context


                This previous question may also be of interest (although it doesn't discuss the word anywhere):




                • His camera accompanied him everywhere/wherever he went in the world.






                share|improve this answer






























                  6














                  Think of the difference between any and every.




                  any adj 1

                  1. one, no matter which • can't find any answer.

                  2. some, no matter which • have you any apples?

                  [other definitions omitted]



                  every adj 2

                  1. each one or single of a number or collection; omitting none.

                  [other definitions omitted]



                  any 3

                  2. used to refer to a person or thing of a particular type when what you are saying is true of all people or things of that type:
                  - Any child who breaks the rules will be punished.

                  - Always check the details carefully before you sign any written agreement.

                  - I can see you any time on Monday.

                  - If I can help in any way, let me know.


                  [other definitions omitted]



                  every 4

                  1. used to refer to all the people or things in a particular group or all the parts of something:

                  - We looked carefully at every car that drove past.

                  - Every child will receive a certificate at the end of the course.

                  - I enjoyed every minute of the film.

                  - I listened carefully to every word he said.


                  [other definitions omitted]




                  In general terms:





                  • any is referring to one or more items, people, or places individually


                  • every is referring to all items, people, or places collectively


                  So you can then apply those prefixes to get the words anywhere, everywhere - anyone, everyone, with the prefixes carrying over their individual meanings. Hence:





                  • everywhere = all places


                  • anywhere = one or more places


                  Therefore, when searching for something, you might say:





                  • I looked everywhere, ... = I looked in all places


                  • ... but I couldn't find it anywhere = I could not find it in any one of the places I looked; I found it in not one (none) of the places.


                  If you had said "I couldn't find it everywhere", it would have meant "I could not find it in all places (but I did find it in some places)."



                  So if you have lost a particular item, you look in all places (everywhere), with the hope of finding it in one of the places (anywhere).



                  In a different situation, such as in a busy city, you might say:




                  • "There are cars and people everywhere: there is nowhere that is quiet."
                    nowhere = not anywhere


                  Going back to your original question:




                  • I would say that you "use anywhere" when you are referring to a single place, the location of which is immaterial (doesn't matter). [I'm avoiding using "important" because that can have other meanings.]

                  • You are correct in suggesting that "anywhere" is often used in a negative clause; e.g. "I couldn't find it anywhere"

                  • and also that "anywhere" is often used in a question; e.g. "Is there anywhere (any one place) that I could get a coffee?"




                  Before answering this question, I looked for any previous questions that had addressed this issue. I couldn't find any, but I did find several previous questions that discussed anyone & everyone. You may find some of those useful:




                  • Open for “anyone”? Or open for “everyone”?

                  • Difference between “anyone” and “everyone”?

                  • What is the difference between “anyone” and “everyone” in this context


                  This previous question may also be of interest (although it doesn't discuss the word anywhere):




                  • His camera accompanied him everywhere/wherever he went in the world.






                  share|improve this answer




























                    6












                    6








                    6







                    Think of the difference between any and every.




                    any adj 1

                    1. one, no matter which • can't find any answer.

                    2. some, no matter which • have you any apples?

                    [other definitions omitted]



                    every adj 2

                    1. each one or single of a number or collection; omitting none.

                    [other definitions omitted]



                    any 3

                    2. used to refer to a person or thing of a particular type when what you are saying is true of all people or things of that type:
                    - Any child who breaks the rules will be punished.

                    - Always check the details carefully before you sign any written agreement.

                    - I can see you any time on Monday.

                    - If I can help in any way, let me know.


                    [other definitions omitted]



                    every 4

                    1. used to refer to all the people or things in a particular group or all the parts of something:

                    - We looked carefully at every car that drove past.

                    - Every child will receive a certificate at the end of the course.

                    - I enjoyed every minute of the film.

                    - I listened carefully to every word he said.


                    [other definitions omitted]




                    In general terms:





                    • any is referring to one or more items, people, or places individually


                    • every is referring to all items, people, or places collectively


                    So you can then apply those prefixes to get the words anywhere, everywhere - anyone, everyone, with the prefixes carrying over their individual meanings. Hence:





                    • everywhere = all places


                    • anywhere = one or more places


                    Therefore, when searching for something, you might say:





                    • I looked everywhere, ... = I looked in all places


                    • ... but I couldn't find it anywhere = I could not find it in any one of the places I looked; I found it in not one (none) of the places.


                    If you had said "I couldn't find it everywhere", it would have meant "I could not find it in all places (but I did find it in some places)."



                    So if you have lost a particular item, you look in all places (everywhere), with the hope of finding it in one of the places (anywhere).



                    In a different situation, such as in a busy city, you might say:




                    • "There are cars and people everywhere: there is nowhere that is quiet."
                      nowhere = not anywhere


                    Going back to your original question:




                    • I would say that you "use anywhere" when you are referring to a single place, the location of which is immaterial (doesn't matter). [I'm avoiding using "important" because that can have other meanings.]

                    • You are correct in suggesting that "anywhere" is often used in a negative clause; e.g. "I couldn't find it anywhere"

                    • and also that "anywhere" is often used in a question; e.g. "Is there anywhere (any one place) that I could get a coffee?"




                    Before answering this question, I looked for any previous questions that had addressed this issue. I couldn't find any, but I did find several previous questions that discussed anyone & everyone. You may find some of those useful:




                    • Open for “anyone”? Or open for “everyone”?

                    • Difference between “anyone” and “everyone”?

                    • What is the difference between “anyone” and “everyone” in this context


                    This previous question may also be of interest (although it doesn't discuss the word anywhere):




                    • His camera accompanied him everywhere/wherever he went in the world.






                    share|improve this answer















                    Think of the difference between any and every.




                    any adj 1

                    1. one, no matter which • can't find any answer.

                    2. some, no matter which • have you any apples?

                    [other definitions omitted]



                    every adj 2

                    1. each one or single of a number or collection; omitting none.

                    [other definitions omitted]



                    any 3

                    2. used to refer to a person or thing of a particular type when what you are saying is true of all people or things of that type:
                    - Any child who breaks the rules will be punished.

                    - Always check the details carefully before you sign any written agreement.

                    - I can see you any time on Monday.

                    - If I can help in any way, let me know.


                    [other definitions omitted]



                    every 4

                    1. used to refer to all the people or things in a particular group or all the parts of something:

                    - We looked carefully at every car that drove past.

                    - Every child will receive a certificate at the end of the course.

                    - I enjoyed every minute of the film.

                    - I listened carefully to every word he said.


                    [other definitions omitted]




                    In general terms:





                    • any is referring to one or more items, people, or places individually


                    • every is referring to all items, people, or places collectively


                    So you can then apply those prefixes to get the words anywhere, everywhere - anyone, everyone, with the prefixes carrying over their individual meanings. Hence:





                    • everywhere = all places


                    • anywhere = one or more places


                    Therefore, when searching for something, you might say:





                    • I looked everywhere, ... = I looked in all places


                    • ... but I couldn't find it anywhere = I could not find it in any one of the places I looked; I found it in not one (none) of the places.


                    If you had said "I couldn't find it everywhere", it would have meant "I could not find it in all places (but I did find it in some places)."



                    So if you have lost a particular item, you look in all places (everywhere), with the hope of finding it in one of the places (anywhere).



                    In a different situation, such as in a busy city, you might say:




                    • "There are cars and people everywhere: there is nowhere that is quiet."
                      nowhere = not anywhere


                    Going back to your original question:




                    • I would say that you "use anywhere" when you are referring to a single place, the location of which is immaterial (doesn't matter). [I'm avoiding using "important" because that can have other meanings.]

                    • You are correct in suggesting that "anywhere" is often used in a negative clause; e.g. "I couldn't find it anywhere"

                    • and also that "anywhere" is often used in a question; e.g. "Is there anywhere (any one place) that I could get a coffee?"




                    Before answering this question, I looked for any previous questions that had addressed this issue. I couldn't find any, but I did find several previous questions that discussed anyone & everyone. You may find some of those useful:




                    • Open for “anyone”? Or open for “everyone”?

                    • Difference between “anyone” and “everyone”?

                    • What is the difference between “anyone” and “everyone” in this context


                    This previous question may also be of interest (although it doesn't discuss the word anywhere):




                    • His camera accompanied him everywhere/wherever he went in the world.







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38









                    Community

                    1




                    1










                    answered Aug 7 '13 at 12:18









                    TrevorDTrevorD

                    10.6k22257




                    10.6k22257























                        3














                        The term anywhere is indefinite. No particular place is identified or chosen.



                        The term everywhere is definite. Every single possible place is identified or chosen.



                        In your final example, the sentence should read




                        I lost my glasses. I looked everywhere but I couldn't find them.




                        because you definitely look in each particular place they might be.



                        There is also a sense that everywhere suggests multiple incidents of the object or action identified. Anywhere may refer to just one element or multiple elements.




                        He sowed the grass seed everywhere.



                        He could have planted that [one] tree anywhere.



                        He could have planted those[many] trees anywhere




                        Sometimes they are equivalent.




                        You can buy my book anywhere.



                        You can buy my book everywhere.







                        share|improve this answer




























                          3














                          The term anywhere is indefinite. No particular place is identified or chosen.



                          The term everywhere is definite. Every single possible place is identified or chosen.



                          In your final example, the sentence should read




                          I lost my glasses. I looked everywhere but I couldn't find them.




                          because you definitely look in each particular place they might be.



                          There is also a sense that everywhere suggests multiple incidents of the object or action identified. Anywhere may refer to just one element or multiple elements.




                          He sowed the grass seed everywhere.



                          He could have planted that [one] tree anywhere.



                          He could have planted those[many] trees anywhere




                          Sometimes they are equivalent.




                          You can buy my book anywhere.



                          You can buy my book everywhere.







                          share|improve this answer


























                            3












                            3








                            3







                            The term anywhere is indefinite. No particular place is identified or chosen.



                            The term everywhere is definite. Every single possible place is identified or chosen.



                            In your final example, the sentence should read




                            I lost my glasses. I looked everywhere but I couldn't find them.




                            because you definitely look in each particular place they might be.



                            There is also a sense that everywhere suggests multiple incidents of the object or action identified. Anywhere may refer to just one element or multiple elements.




                            He sowed the grass seed everywhere.



                            He could have planted that [one] tree anywhere.



                            He could have planted those[many] trees anywhere




                            Sometimes they are equivalent.




                            You can buy my book anywhere.



                            You can buy my book everywhere.







                            share|improve this answer













                            The term anywhere is indefinite. No particular place is identified or chosen.



                            The term everywhere is definite. Every single possible place is identified or chosen.



                            In your final example, the sentence should read




                            I lost my glasses. I looked everywhere but I couldn't find them.




                            because you definitely look in each particular place they might be.



                            There is also a sense that everywhere suggests multiple incidents of the object or action identified. Anywhere may refer to just one element or multiple elements.




                            He sowed the grass seed everywhere.



                            He could have planted that [one] tree anywhere.



                            He could have planted those[many] trees anywhere




                            Sometimes they are equivalent.




                            You can buy my book anywhere.



                            You can buy my book everywhere.








                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered Aug 7 '13 at 12:43









                            bibbib

                            68.7k8101213




                            68.7k8101213

















                                protected by Community 6 hours ago



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