role of anyone

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi,

I read the following sentence in a book. My question is about the role of ‘anyone’ in the following sentence. I know that ‘having to report the change at the bank’ is a gerund phrase and ‘without’ is a preposition, but I don’t understand the function of ‘anyone’ in the construction.

[color=blue]‘If Jones buys a hi-fi set from Brown, the bank note changes hands without anyone having to report the change at the bank, since the bank is liable to the noteholder
in any case.’
Thanks,

MG.

2

without anyone having to report the change at the bank = without anyone who has to report the change at the bank

3

Not exactly.

without anyone having to report the change at the bank = and no one has to report the change at the bank

4

Oh that’s precise. Thank you! Now I understand it = and nobody needs to report the change at the bank (at the same time).