Some Vs. Any – English Grammar Lesson

I had some free time today so I thought I would go shopping. I didn’t have any milk at home, so I needed to find somewhere to buy it. When I got to the store I realized I forgot my wallet, and I didn’t have any money. I walked back home, but it was so hot I didn’t have any energy left to go out again.

Do you know how to use some and any? A lot of people have trouble with this kind of English grammar, but today I am going to show you how to use these words.

In sentences, some and any are used as determiners before a noun. We usually use some in a positive sentence, and any in a negative sentence, like this:

• Jack has some time tomorrow. I think I will ask him for help.
• There are some cookies in the closet.
• Some people in my office speak Japanese.
• Jack doesn’t have any time tomorrow. I think I will help him.
• There aren’t any cookies in the closet.
• There aren’t any people in my office who speak French.

We usually use any in questions:

• Do you have any free time tomorrow?
• Are there any cookies in the closet?
• Do any of your coworkers speak Arabic?

But, when we ask for or offer things, we usually use some:

• Can I have some coffee?
• Can you give me some information about the lessons?
• Would you like some iced tea?
• Would you care for some cake?

It is also possible to use any and some alone, without a noun. In this way, some and any function like a pronoun:

• I don’t have any milk. Do you have any?
• Jack said he doesn’t have blank CDs. Does Jim have any?
• I just had a glass of iced tea. Would you like some?
• I heard you have a lot of cookies. Can I have some?

The above rules also work for something, somebody, someone, anything, anybody, and anyone.

• There is something in the oven. It smells good.
• I need somebody to pick me up at the airport.
• Is anyone working late tonight?
• Do you need anything from the convenience store?

Now, it’s your turn! Try using some and any in an original sentence. Write your sentences in the comment box below!

If you know anyone who might be interested in this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them. Thanks for studying today!

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