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Some vs. Any in English: When to Use Each One
Some goes in affirmative sentences, any goes in negatives and questions. Both mean "some" or "any amount of."
Written by Bryan López, Profesor de inglés · Updated
Some and any both mean an unspecified amount, and they work with plural countable nouns (some apples) and uncountable nouns (some water). The difference is the type of sentence: some goes in affirmatives, any goes in negatives and most questions.
When to use some and when to use any
The exception: offers and requests
When you're offering something or making a polite request and expecting a "yes," you use some even in a question: "Would you like some tea?", "Can I have some water, please?" This breaks the general "any in questions" rule, but it's extremely common in everyday speech.
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Practice some vs. any with real audio
Interactive exercises, real pronunciation, and the full lesson taught in English.
It works the same with countable and uncountable nouns
Some and any don't change based on whether the noun is countable or uncountable, only based on the sentence type: "some apples" / "any apples" (plural countable), "some water" / "any water" (uncountable). The word that changes based on noun type is a different one (a/an, only for singular countable nouns), not some/any.
Common mistakes learners make
In some languages, the equivalent of "some"/"any" doesn't change based on whether the sentence is affirmative, negative, or a question. In English, you do have to switch: some only goes in affirmatives, any goes in negatives and questions. Saying "I don't have some money" is a typical mistake.
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Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between some and any?
Some is used in affirmative sentences (I have some money), any is used in negatives and most questions (I don't have any money / Do you have any money?).
When do you use any instead of some?
In negative sentences (I don't have any) and in most questions (Do you have any?). Some is reserved for affirmatives and for polite offers/requests.
Why is some sometimes used in a question?
When you're offering something or making a polite request and expecting a "yes," like "Would you like some coffee?" or "Can I have some water?"
Do some and any work with countable or uncountable nouns?
With both: some apples / any apples (plural countable), some water / any water (uncountable). They don't change based on noun type, only based on sentence type.
How do you use some in a sentence?
In affirmatives, before a plural countable or uncountable noun: "I bought some bread," "There are some books on the table."
How do you use any in a sentence?
In negatives and questions: "I don't have any siblings," "Are there any questions?"
Practice some vs. any with real audio
Interactive exercises, real pronunciation, and the full lesson taught in English.