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Some vs. Any: 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.
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 with some and any
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.
Some in positive sentences, any in questions and negatives
The basic rule is simple. Use "some" in positive sentences: "I have some friends in London." Use "any" in negatives and questions: "I don't have any friends in London." "Do you have any friends in London?" Both words go with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns: "some water," "any information."
Practice some vs. any with real audio
Interactive exercises, real pronunciation, and the full lesson taught in English.
Some and any at a glance
Any in positive sentences: a special meaning
"Any" can also appear in positive sentences with the meaning of "it doesn't matter which": "You can choose any book." "Any day is fine for me." This is different from the question or negative use, and it is common in everyday English. When you hear a positive sentence with any, it usually means there is no limit or preference.
Examples of some and any
- I bought some bread this morning.
- We don't have any milk.
- Is there any sugar left?
- Would you like some coffee?
- She doesn't have any brothers or sisters.
A common mistake with some and any
Incorrect
I don't have some money.
Correct
I don't have any money.
some and any in a real conversation
A: "Do we have any eggs?" B: "Yes, there are some in the fridge. But we don't have any milk." A: "Then I'll buy some on my way home. Do you need anything else?"
Offers and requests break the rule
You might expect "any" in every question, but when you offer or request something and expect a yes, English uses "some": "Would you like some water?" "Can I have some more rice?" The speaker is being polite and assumes the answer is positive. Using "any" here would sound like you doubt the person has it.
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?"
What is the difference between some and a few?
Some is general and works with countable and uncountable nouns. A few only works with countable nouns and suggests a small but useful number.
Can I use any in a sentence without a negative?
Yes, with the meaning of no matter which: "Any student can join." It also works with words like hardly: "I hardly have any time."
What about someone, anyone, something, and anything?
They follow the same rule: something and someone in positive sentences, anything and anyone in questions and negatives.
Does some always mean a small amount?
No. Some only means an unspecified quantity, it can be large or small: "I have some friends who speak four languages." The exact amount is not important in that sentence.
Is it any or some before uncountable nouns?
The same rules apply: "I have some advice" (positive), "I don't have any advice" (negative), "Do you have any advice?" (question).
Practice some vs. any with real audio
Interactive exercises, real pronunciation, and the full lesson taught in English.
Keep learning
- Quantifiers in English: Much, Many, A Lot Of, A Few, A LittleMuch and a little go with uncountable nouns, many and a few go with countable nouns, a lot of works with both.
- Countable and Uncountable Nouns in English: How to Tell Them ApartCountable nouns can be counted directly (one book, two books), uncountable ones can't (water, rice, money).
- There Is / There Are: How to Say Something Exists (Present and Past)There is (singular) and there are (plural) are the two ways to say something exists in English, and they do change based on number.