English grammar
Nobody / never: no double negatives
Make comparisons using nobody, never and everyone.
From the scene She danced better than anyone
In short
Nobody and never are already negative, so keep the verb positive. After a comparison, use anyone.
Your turn
Which one goes with never + positive verb?
Options: nobody has asked me (not "nobody hasn't") · you never told us (not "never didn't") · better than anyone
Show answer
never + positive verb → you never told us (not "never didn't")
How it works
Nobody and never are already negative on their own, so the verb stays positive: nobody has asked me, you never told us.
Good to know
Use only one negative word per sentence: not "nobody hasn't asked me". After a comparison, use anyone: better than anyone.
comparing: than anyone better than anyone
Javi
Doña Elena, you dance better than anyone!
Doña Elena, ¡baila usted mejor que nadie!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Doña Elena, you dance (blank)!
Options: you never told us · nobody has asked me · better than anyone
Show answer
Javi
Doña Elena, you dance better than anyone!
Doña Elena, ¡baila usted mejor que nadie!
never + positive verb you never told us (not "never didn't")
Nuria
You used to dance flamenco? You never told us!
¿Usted bailaba flamenco? ¡Nunca nos lo ha dicho!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
You used to dance flamenco? (blank)!
Options: Better than anyone · Nobody has asked me · You never told us
Show answer
Nuria
You used to dance flamenco? You never told us!
¿Usted bailaba flamenco? ¡Nunca nos lo ha dicho!
nobody + positive verb nobody has asked me (not "nobody hasn't")
Elena
Nobody has asked me, dear.
Nadie me lo ha preguntado, cariño.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), dear.
Options: Nobody has asked me · Better than anyone · You never told us
Show answer
Elena
Nobody has asked me, dear.
Nadie me lo ha preguntado, cariño.
everyone + singular verb everyone was clapping (singular)
Nuria
And everyone was clapping at the end.
Y todo el mundo daba palmas al final.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank) at the end.
Options: better than anyone · you never told us · everyone was clapping
Show answer
Nuria
And everyone was clapping at the end.
Y todo el mundo daba palmas al final.
Common mistake
Not nobody or no one here. A compliment: better than every single person.
Doña Elena, you dance better than anyone!
Doña Elena, ¡baila usted mejor que nadie!
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| comparing: than anyone | better than anyone |
|---|---|
| never + positive verb | you never told us (not "never didn't") |
| nobody + positive verb | nobody has asked me (not "nobody hasn't") |
| everyone + singular verb | everyone was clapping (singular) |
More lines from the story
- ElenaNaturally. I've never danced better.Normal. Nunca he bailado mejor.
- ElenaWell, of course. When I was young I danced every night.Pues claro. De joven bailaba todas las noches.