Some or any- lesson

Click here for worksheet on some or any

We use some (positive) or any (with negative verbs and questions) or no (= not) with plural nouns.

We also use some, any and no with uncountable nouns.

Examples:

1. I met some friends yesterday.

2. Have you got any friends?

3. I’m going to buy some clothes.

4. I'm not going to buy any clothes.

5. There isn’t any orange juice in the fridge.

6. Is there any ice in the fridge?

7. Has he got any friends?

We usually use some in questions:

We are offering something.

Example:

1. Would you like some biscuits?

2. Do you want some advice?

3. A: Would you like some coffee?

B : Yes, please.

We are asking for something.

Example:

1. Can you give me some tickets, please?

2. A: Can I have some soup, please?

B: Yes. Help yourself.

3. A: Can you lend me some money?

B: Sure. How much do you need?

We expect the answer yes

1. Did you buy some fruits? (I expect that you bought some) 

2. Is there some milk in the kitchen?

We can use any in positive sentences when any means that it doesn't matter which.

1. Visit me at any time.

2. Choose any number between 1 and 10.

3. You can talk to me any time.

If we want to talk about the remaining quantity of something, we use some left, any left, none left.

1. There's some soup left. Do you want some more?

We can use some and any without a noun if the meaning is clear.

1. I didn’t take any photographs but Anu took some.

2. You can have some coffee/juice but I don’t want any.

3. I’ve just made some coffee/lemonade. Would you like some?

4. ‘Where’s your luggage?’ ‘I haven’t got any.’

5. ‘Are there any biscuits?’ ‘Yes, there are some in the kitchen.’