SOME &
ANY
I. GENERAL RULES
In general, some (also somebody, someone, something) is used in
positive sentences and any (anybody, anyone, anything) in negative
sentences.
1. Some is an indefinite adjective. It is generally used
as the French articles du, de la, des.
a. Some is used before uncountable nouns.
Ex. : Have some tea.
Have some more peas.
Ann was listening to some music
There are some nouns that are usually uncountable in English but
countable in other languages. For example
:
Accommodation - Advice - baggage - Behaviour - Bread - Chaos -
Damage - Furniture - Information - Luck
- Luggage - News - Permission - Progress - Scenery - Traffic -
Weather - work -
Ex. : I am going to buy some bread / a loaf of bread.
Let me give you some advice.
There was some luggage in the hall.
b. Some is used before plural nouns, as plural of an indefinite
article. There it has the same meaning as several and a few.
Ex. : Some people were waiting outside.
There are some letters for you.
c. Some can be used in the place of a little and a few to express
little quantities
Ex. : Give me some money.
He came with some friends
Some of the men were tired
Some of us will stay here
Some of what he said was very sensible.
d. Some can be used as plural of one :
· with countable nouns
Ex. : the plural of "One of my friends" is "Some
of my friends."
If you like cherries, there are some in the kitchen.
· with uncountable nouns
Ex. : If you like milk, there is some in the fridge.
1. Any is generally used in interrogative and negative
sentences and in clauses expressing doubt, uncertainty and supposition.
a. Any is used in most questions
Ex. : Have you got any luggage ?
Has anybody seen my bag ?
But Some is used in some cases :
· when the answer "yes" is expected
Ex. : What's wrong ? Have you got something in your eye ?
Didn't he give you some money ?
· when it is asked or offered for things
Ex. : Would you like something to eat ?
Can I have some sugar, please ?
a. Any is used to express uncertainty or supposition. It is often
used after if
Ex. : I wonder whether there are any cinemas in the town.
If there are any letters for me, can you send them on this address
?
If anyone has any questions, I will be pleased to answer them.
Let me know if you need anything.
b. Any is used with the meaning of it does not matter which
Ex. : You can any bus (= it doesn't matter which bus you catch),
they all go to the centre.
Come and see me any time you want.
c. Any is used in negative sentences
Ex. : We haven't any tea left.
I've never eaten any frogs.
There was hardly any sunshine yesterday.
I came back to England without any money.
There not any can used in the place of no
Ex. : There is no tea = There is not any tea.
We could hear no noise = We could not hear any noise.
I. PARTICULAR RULES
1. In some cases, some and any are not to be used :
· when there is no meaning of quantity
Ex. : Would you rather have tea or coffee ?
You should give your children sugar, it's good for them.
· when it is spoken of great quantities
Ex. : There is water everywhere in Ireland.
They drink tea all day long.
Years ago. (= Il y a des années)
2. Some can be used in the place of one when it is to express
a lack of accuracy.
Ex. : There must be some solution.
For some reason or another.
They are living at some place in the Near East
I hope to see them again some day.
