Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jasonlulu_2000]

Nor will you receive a patent until a search has been made to find out that your product really is different from everyone else's.

Could I change everyone else's with "anyone else's"?

I think both are correct in this case.

Am I right?

Thanks

Jason

[SimpleEnglishBlogger]

Hi Jason,

"Everyone else's" sounds better because your invention needs to be different from ALL other people's, not any ONE other person's.

A native speaker might use "anyone" too, but it doesn't sound very natural to me. Native speakers make mistakes too. LOL

The question is whether or not a particular expression is used and understood by enough people. While some natives might use "anyone", I don't think there would be many.

By the way, your title and the content of your question don't match. Your title says "someone" instead of "everyone".
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[jasonlulu_2000]

Thanks for your GREAT reply!