Someone and anyone in a question

[pedrina]

On the quiz below, the answer to Does ... know the answer? is only "anybody".

If the rule says we can use either "someone" or "anyone" in questions, why is "someone" wrong in this case?

Someone, Anyone or No one? - Online Language Quiz - UsingEnglish.com

Q2 - Does _____ know the answer?
anyone
someone
Either could be used here.

[BobK]

Any would be much more common - it's really the only possible choice if the speaker is really unsure whether anyone does. But I can imagine a scene where a native speaker says 'Does someone know the answer?', with the implication "Surely you can't expect me to believe that not a single one of you knows the answer"; it's not the language of a careful speaker, but I can imagine it being said.

So if you chose 'Either', don't be too hard on yourself!

b

[pedrina]

I got it. Thanks. It's a little tricky to explain to students, though. They like to rely on rules.
Cheers.

Originally Posted by BobK

Any would be much more common - it's really the only possible choice if the speaker is really unsure whether anyone does. But I can imagine a scene where a native speaker says 'Does someone know the answer?', with the implication "Surely you can't expect me to believe that not a single one of you knows the answer"; it's not the language of a careful speaker, but I can imagine it being said.

So if you chose 'Either', don't be too hard on yourself!

b