anyone who

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anyone who" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any person or individual in a general sense, often when introducing a condition or requirement. Example: "Anyone who wants to join the club must fill out an application form."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Anyone who speaks, he kills.

The New York Times

Ask anyone who was there.

The New York Times

Anyone who resisted was killed.

The Economist

"Toward anyone who needed anything".

The New York Times

"Anyone who protests is locked up.

Independent

"Anyone who says they knew misleading U".

The New York Times - Sports

Anyone who became something was taking it".

The New York Times - Sports

Later, anyone who was arrested was killed".

The New York Times

Anyone who wears contacts should take care.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Anyone who does is automatically labeled "communal".

The New York Times

"Anyone who wants can see me".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "anyone who", ensure the subsequent verb agrees in number and tense with the intended subject. For example, "Anyone who wants to participate needs to register." This maintains grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Common error

A common error is using a plural verb after "anyone who" when a singular verb is required. Avoid saying "Anyone who are interested should apply"; instead, use "Anyone who is interested should apply."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anyone who" functions as a relative pronoun introducing a relative clause. This clause modifies an implied antecedent, specifying a condition or characteristic that applies to any individual. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "anyone who" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction, serving as a relative clause to introduce a condition or characteristic applicable to individuals. According to Ludwig AI, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to general writing. To ensure proper usage, it's crucial to maintain verb agreement. Alternatives such as "any person who" or "whoever" can be considered for stylistic variation. The phrase is validated by numerous examples from authoritative sources, making it a reliable and versatile tool in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

any person who

Replaces "anyone" with the more formal "any person", slightly elevating the register.

anybody who

Uses "anybody" as a synonym for "anyone", maintaining the same level of formality.

each person that

Replaces "anyone" with "each person that", underscoring individual consideration.

whoever

Condenses "anyone who" into a single word, slightly impacting the structure.

everyone that

Substitutes "anyone" with "everyone that", shifting from individual to collective focus.

all those who

Uses "all those who" to encompass a group, altering the perspective from individual to collective.

those that

Uses "those that" for a collective, changing the emphasis from individual to group.

whosoever

Employs an archaic term emphasizing inclusivity, significantly altering the tone.

he who

Adopts a formal, gendered expression, significantly affecting tone and inclusivity.

she who

Adopts a formal, gendered expression, significantly affecting tone and inclusivity.

FAQs

How can I use "anyone who" in a sentence?

Use "anyone who" to introduce a condition or characteristic applicable to any person. For example, "Anyone who has a valid ticket can enter the event."

What are some alternatives to "anyone who"?

You can use phrases like "any person who", "anybody who", or simply "whoever" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "anyone who" and "everyone who"?

"Anyone who" refers to any single individual meeting a certain condition, while "everyone who" refers to all individuals meeting that condition. The former is singular, the latter is plural.

How does the formality of "anyone who" compare to other similar phrases?

"Anyone who" is generally considered neutral in formality. Phrases like "any person who" are slightly more formal, while "anybody who" is slightly less formal. The choice depends on the specific context and audience.