"Do something" vs. "do anything".
mr_in_beetwen
What would be the semantic difference between, say, "Can we do something about climate change?" and "can we do anything about climate change?". I kind of feel it, but I can't fully figure it out.
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3 comments
SnooDonuts6494•
They're both OK.
It depends on the context.
Asking if we can do "anything" sounds a little bit more desperate, because "something" implies there are options.
But it's open to interpretation.
FloridaFlamingoGirl•
Do something - is there a specific solution to climate change?
Do anything - is it even possible in general for us to make an impact on climate change?Â
SnarkyBeanBroth•
Can we do something - implies that there are at least some suggestions of what we could be doing, and we should probably pick one or more and start doing it/them. More of a frustrated tone.
Can we do anything - are there even any possible solutions? Definitely more hopeless/desperate.