Some / Any
Referring to an indefinite quantity or number
Some vs. Any
| SOME | ANY |
|---|---|
Use some with a a count or noncount noun to indicate an indefinite quantity. |
Use any after a negative verb or an expression of doubt. Any cannot be used at the beginning of the sentence. |
A POSITIVE SENTENCE
Some grapes are in the refrigerator. (count) Is some food in the refrigerator? (noncount) Are some grapes in the refrigerator? (count) |
A NEGATIVE SENTENCE
There isn't any milk in the refrigerator. (noncount) I doubt (that) any milk is in the refrigerator. (noncount) There aren't any snacks in the refrigerator. (count) Are there any snacks in the refrigerator? (count) |
**Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.
Also see: count / noncount
Any — Expressing Doubt
| NEGATIVE WORDS | DOUBT EXPRESSIONS |
|---|---|
Use any after negative words (determiners and adverbs). |
Use any after a that-clause with an expression of doubt. (I doubt that…) |
I have no tea. (negative determiner) I do not have any tea. Not one of shops has any tea. That shop seldom has any tea. (negative adverb) |
I don't think that any tea is left It's unlikely that any tea is left. I can hardly believe that any tea is left. |
That shop rarely has any tea. |
He's uncertain that anything can be done. |
That shop hardly ever has any tea. |
There's little point in asking for *any more. |
That shop never has any tea. |
*any more (n.) – an additional amount; not anymore (adv)– no longer; |
I
Some vs. Any
Interpreting an Offer / Request
A Question with Some vs. Any
| SOME | ANY |
|---|---|
When some is used when making an offer, the offer is more convincing or sincere. |
When using any in a question, the offer is doubtful (I don't have any at the moment but could make some. You've probably already had coffee, but I'm asking anyway.) |
CONFIDENT OFFER Would you like some coffee? (I already have some coffee made. / I don't mind making more. / I'm about to make some and have a sufficient amount for you.) Would you like some more coffee? |
DOUBTFUL OFFER
Would you like any more coffee? (You probably don't / I hope you don't because I don't have any more.) |
CONFIDENT REQUEST May I have some more sugar, please? (Speaker is confident there is sugar) |
DOUBTFUL REQUEST Is there any more sugar? (Speaker is doubtful there is sugar.) |
Would you like
An Offer You Can Refuse
| A "SOME" OFFER | AN "ANY" OFFER |
|---|---|
When an offer is made using "some", the speaker is thinking or hoping you will answer – "yes". It is a sincere offer. |
When an offer is made using "any", the speaker is thinking (possibly hoping) you will answer – "no". It is an offer that needs to be repeated twice to be sincere. |
ACCEPT THIS OFFER JANE: Would you like some pie? |
JACK: Would you like any pie? (I think you might not.) |
ANNE: Yes, please. / No, thank you. |
DAVE: No, thank you. / Perhaps, later. (A guest is more likely to answer "no".) |
JANE: Are you sure you wouldn't like some pie? |
JACK: Are you sure you wouldn't like some pie? I have plenty. |
ANNE: Yes, please. (or) No, thank you. |
DAVE: Well, on second thought. I would like a piece. Thank you. |
DECLINE THIS OFFER
Some / Any
Indefinite Pronouns (singular nouns)
Indefinte Pronouns – Some/Any
| SOME + Singular Noun | ANY + Singular Noun | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Some + a singular noun is an indefinite pronoun. We use an indefinite pronoun when the noun is unknown or not specified. |
Any + a singular noun is an indefinite pronoun. We use an indefinite pronoun when the noun is unknown or not specified. |
||
somebody |
some thing (two words) |
anybody |
anything |
some day (two words) |
some time (two words) |
any day (two words) |
any time (two words) |
some more (two words) |
some way (two words) |
any more (two words) |
any way (two words) |
someone |
some where (two words) |
anyone |
anywhere (any place) |
Don't confuse: I don't want any more. / I don't go there anymore (any longer).
See Indefinite Pronouns
Some
A Vague One
An Unknown Quantity vs. A Vague Noun
| AN UNKNOWN QUANTITY | AN UNKNOWN NOUN (A VAGUE ONE) |
|---|---|
We use some + plural noun to talk about an unspecific quantity. "We don't know how many or how much." |
We use some + singular noun to talk about a noun that is unknown or that we don't want to specify, or we wish to be vague. "We don't (want to) say which one." |
Some people are knocking at the door. (I don't know how many.) |
Some person is knocking at the door. (an unknown person; I don't know who it is.) |
He is talking about some political causes. |
He is talking about some political cause. ( an unknown cause; I don't know what it is.) |
She is dating some guys. |
Lady GaGa is dating some guy. (I know the guy, but I dont want to name him.) |
They left some cheese in the refrigerator. (I don't know how much.) |
They left some cheese in the refrigerator. (I don't know what kind it is.) |
be vague (adj.) – be unclear or not giving detailed information on purpose
Common Mistake
| ERROR | FIX |
|---|---|
*For some reasons, I lost the tennis match. |
For some reason, I lost the tennis match. Use some reason – indefinite. |
*My keys are some wheres here. |
My keys are here some where. |
Practice
A Box of Chocolates
Decide whether the sentence needs the quantifier some, any or no article.
- Select the word from each menu that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button to the right.