1. zaffy

    zaffy Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2010
    Messages:
    273
    Likes Received:
    14
    Location:
    Buckinghamshire UK

    anybodies

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by zaffy, Jan 25, 2011.

    Example of using the word 'anybodies' in a sentence please.
     
  2. Haribo Icecream

    Haribo Icecream New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2011
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Tough one! Without using it as a possesive, " those sluts are just a bunch of anybodies' ", I don't know if anybody can be pluralised
     
  3. Elgaisma

    Elgaisma Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2010
    Messages:
    5,319
    Likes Received:
    97
    I think it might be.

    That coat could be anybody's. However that coat could belong to anybody flows better.

    The red carpet event was well attended, by the anybodies in showbusiness.
     
  4. Haribo Icecream

    Haribo Icecream New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2011
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Depends if the OP wanted the sound or the exact word? Ending with ies and no apostrophe leaves a hole in my head :p
     
  5. Elgaisma

    Elgaisma Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2010
    Messages:
    5,319
    Likes Received:
    97
    It depends if she is referring to anybody or an anybody.
     
  6. Haribo Icecream

    Haribo Icecream New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2011
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Ohhh didn't notice this part before, this is a way to use the word without a possesive :)
     
  7. Elgaisma

    Elgaisma Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2010
    Messages:
    5,319
    Likes Received:
    97
    Its using the phrase anybody can be an anybody. I am fairly sure anybody mean anyone is a possessive so is anybody's as it is already plural. Anybody meaning someone of importance can be anybodies if there is more than one person of importance. At least that is what my dictionary says lol
     
  8. Pen

    Pen New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2011
    Messages:
    98
    Likes Received:
    4
    "Anybodies", meant in the sense of nondescript people is usually "nobodies", but there are other slang terms, depending on the type of person you're referencing- "suits", "lemmings", "sheep" are examples.
     
  9. Haribo Icecream

    Haribo Icecream New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2011
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    That's vaguely confusing stuff when you're in as an insipid mood as I am :p
     
  10. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    'anybodies' is a word... so are 'somebodies' and 'nobodies'...

    it can be used like this:

     
  11. Trilby

    Trilby Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2010
    Messages:
    2,097
    Likes Received:
    73
    Location:
    NE England
    So which is correct:
    a) That's anybody's guess
    b)That's anybodies guess

    I'd say 'a'
     
  12. Elgaisma

    Elgaisma Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2010
    Messages:
    5,319
    Likes Received:
    97
    a) because it refers to anybody as in it could be anyone, and is already plural.

    However The anybodies could guess at something lol :)
     
  13. zaffy

    zaffy Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2010
    Messages:
    273
    Likes Received:
    14
    Location:
    Buckinghamshire UK

    If anybody is already plural then why the need for anybodies?
     
  14. Elgaisma

    Elgaisma Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2010
    Messages:
    5,319
    Likes Received:
    97
    anybody has more than one meaning

    1) as a pronoun it means any person. (already plural I think)

    2) as a noun it means a person of importance (singular) - the noun has the plural anybodies.

    Anybody's guess is an idiom.

    Any Body as two seperate words means any group.
     
  15. digitig

    digitig Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2010
    Messages:
    2,490
    Likes Received:
    81
    Location:
    Orpington, Bromley, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
    That one's new to me; I would think of "nobodies" or "somebodies", but not "anybodies".
     
  16. Elgaisma

    Elgaisma Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2010
    Messages:
    5,319
    Likes Received:
    97
    me to but I lifted it from two dictionaries.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice