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someone vs. anyone

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Reiko07

Posted: Monday, February 11, 2019 2:15:24 AM

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Joined: 10/30/2018
Posts: 154
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(1) You shouldn’t judge someone until you know what they are really like.
<The Farlex Grammar Book>

(2) You shouldn’t judge anyone until you know what they are really like.

Is (2) grammatically correct? If so, what's the difference between these two sentences?

I suppose:

(a) The speaker of (1) had one particular person in mind at the time of speaking.

(b) (2) suggests "any person without exception".

My English is probably at CEFR A1 or A2 level.

FounDit

Posted: Monday, February 11, 2019 11:37:42 AM

Rank: Advanced Member

Joined: 9/19/2011
Posts: 10,340
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Reiko07 wrote:

I tend to agree with you. Whenever I use the word "someone", I tend to think of an individual person, not any particular person but just a vague image of a person, who represents any individual.

When I use "anyone", I tend to think of all humans who make up humanity as a whole.

We should look to the past to learn from it, not destroy our future because of it — FounDit

Reiko07

Posted: Monday, February 11, 2019 6:54:35 PM

Rank: Member

Joined: 10/30/2018
Posts: 154
Neurons: 746

Thank you very much, FounDit. Dancing

My English is probably at CEFR A1 or A2 level.

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