anyone

Anyone is an indefinite pronoun used to refer to any person in a group, without specifying who. It expresses general accessibility or openness and is common in questions, negatives, and conditional clauses. In most contexts it is treated as singular, taking a singular verb: Anyone is welcome. In modern English, singular they is often used to avoid gendered language: If anyone is available, they can assist.

Etymology and form: Anyone derives from any + one, with earliest attestations in the early modern period. The standard spelling today is one word, anyone. The two-word form any one survives in specific senses meaning “any single person,” as in Choose any one of the options or Any one of the applicants.

Usage and nuance: Anyone is closely related to anybody, with subtle differences in formality and regional preference; both are widely understood. Anyone is commonly preferred in formal writing, while anybody is more casual. As a pronoun, anyone is singular, but speakers frequently use they/them as a gender-neutral pronoun in reference to anyone: If anyone calls, they can leave a message. Pronoun agreement may vary by style guide, but the singular-they solution is widely accepted in contemporary usage. In contrast to phrases like someone or no one, anyone often appears in inclusive or open-ended statements.

Examples: Has anyone seen my keys? If anyone has a question, please raise your hand. Anyone who wants to participate is encouraged to sign up. Choose any one of the options for a specific selection, emphasizing a single person.