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Marie de Jerphanion
English - group 2

Any, Some and No

Some : the rule

" Some " is used to quantify a thing which can be definite or indefinite, that is to say countable or uncountable. It indicates that the subject contains an indefinite quantity. It's similar to " a few " which is only used before plural and definite nouns.

" Some " is generally used with affirmative sentences.
Here is an example that supports this general rule : I'd like some coffee.

Points with the usage of some

Sometimes " some " doesn't indicate a quantity but a selection.
For example : Some information is required.

" Some " is followed by the preposition " of " when it is used before a pronoun.
For example :Some of them liked the movie.

Exceptions

For questions that are waiting for an affirmative answer " some " can be used.
For example : Would you like some more meat ? Could I have some sugar please ?

When speaking about a big quantity " some " is not allowed.
For example : If I had money, I'd travel round the world. You cannot say (except ironically) : if I had some money...

Any : the definition

" Any " is similar to "some" because it is also used to quantify a thing which can be definite or indefinite but it differs from " some " in that you use it with questions and negative sentences.
For example : Have you got any stamps ?

With words that indicate a negation (never, without, hardly, scarcely) you have to use " any ".
For example : We got there without any trouble. There is hardly any tea left.

Points with the usage of any

" Any " can be used when you are indifferent towards the subject. " Any " can only be followed by a singular noun.
For example : Any day will suit me.

When you place " any " in front of a comparative you reduce it's meaning to make the negative sentence sound positive or nicer.
For example : Can you go any faster ? Is your wife any better ?

" Any " is often used after " if ".
For example : If you need any help, let me know.

" Any " is followed by the preposition " of " when it is used before a pronoun.
For example : I can't see any of them.

There are also expressions that use " any " : any good, it is not + any + use + gerund
For example : Was the film any good ? It isn't any use crying.

No : definition

It means the absence of something.
For example :He has no courage.

" No " is placed at the beginning of a sentence to reinforce the idea.
For example : No man can do it.

It can be followed by a gerund to say that something is forbidden.
For example : No smoking.

Affirmative	Interrogative	Negative
Some (du, de la, des, en) Any (n'importe quel(le))	Any (du, de la, des, en) Some (du, de la, des, en)	Not any (pas de, aucun(e)) no (pas de, aucun) none (pronom, pas un(e))
Something (quelque chose) Anything (n'importe quoi)	Anything (quelque chose) Something (quelque chose)	Nothing (rien)
Somebody, some one (quelqu'1) Anybody, anyone (n'importe qui)	Anybody, anyone (quelqu'un) Somebody, some one (quelqu'1)	Nobody, no one (personne)
Somewhere (quelque part) Anywhere (n'importe où	Anywhere (quelque part) Somewhere (quelque part	Nowhere (nulle part)

Exercises :

Complete with some or any :

When would you like to come ? Oh, ......…. time.
Have you got .....…. matches ?
I've found ......…. money.
She hasn't got ...……. brothers or sisters.
I went to bed without ......……. supper.
We have got hardly ..…..... milk in the fridge.
Would you like .….…. beer ?
Are there .…..... English people living near here ? No, I don't think there are.......