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Quantities, part 2 of 4
Some and Any: When to Use Each One
Some goes in affirmative sentences (I have some cash) and any in negatives and questions: I don't have any cash, Do you have any cash?
The idea
What some and any are
They talk about an amount without a number. Some goes in affirmative sentences; any goes in negatives and questions.
- To say yes. We have some snacks.
- To say no or to ask. Do you have any snacks?
- To offer or ask for something, some. Can I have some chips?
When to use it
To talk about what you have, what you are missing, and what you offer, without counting. These expressions go with it:
To offer and ask for things
- Do you want some tea?
- Can I have some water?
- Have some cake!
To say you have none
- I don't have any change
- I don't have any plans
- we don't have any time
To ask
- Do you have any questions?
- Do you have any kids?
- Any news?
- Any ideas?
Examples
- What you have
I have some friends in Chile.
- What you do not have
We don't have any milk.
- Asking
Do you have any brothers?
- Offering
Do you want some coffee?
- Asking for something
Can I have some napkins?
How to build it
3 steps
- Yes, no, or a question?Look at the verb:I have / I don't have / Do you have
- If you say yes: someWith a plural or an uncountable noun:I have some ideas.
- If you say no or ask: anySame place, before the thing:I don't have any ideas.
Affirmative
- Subject + verbWe bought
- somesome
- plural or uncountablegrapes.
Negative
- Subject + don't + verbWe don't need
- anyany
- plural or uncountablegrapes.
Question
- Do + subject + verbDo you need
- anyany
- plural or uncountable ?grapes?
The rule
Some or any by kind of sentence
| Sentence | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | some | I have some stamps. |
| Negative | any | I don't have any stamps. |
| Question | any | Do you have any stamps? |
| Offer or request | some | Do you want some gum? |
What it goes with
| Noun | Example |
|---|---|
| Plural | some books, any books |
| Uncountable | some rice, any rice |
| One thing | a book (not some book) |
How to pronounce it
some
/sʌm/The o sounds like the u in cup: /sʌm/.
any
/ˈɛni/The a sounds like /ɛ/: /ˈɛni/.
Check
We don't have (blank) bread. Which word goes in the blank?
Don't confuse it with a or an
I need a pen.
One thing: a
I need some pens.
More than one: some
Some and any go with plurals and uncountable nouns. With one countable thing, use a or an.
Countable and uncountableIn real life
When you expect a yes, you can ask with some: Can I have some water? Do you want some pie? That is how you offer and ask for things.
Frequently asked questions
Do some and any go with one thing?
Not with one countable thing: a pen, not some pen. They go with plurals (some pens) and uncountable nouns (some ink).
Can any go in an affirmative sentence?
Yes, with another meaning: it does not matter which. Any bus goes downtown. That comes later.
Do something and anything follow the same rule?
Yes: I want something sweet; I don't want anything. And to offer: Do you want something to drink?
In short
- Affirmative: I have some tickets.
- Negative: I don't have any tickets.
- Question: Do you have any tickets?
- To offer or ask: Do you want some?