When is some and when is any. Some Any rules of use in various designs
We use some, any or the zero article before uncountable or plural nouns. They are close in meaning to the indefinite articles. a/an before nouns in the singular. For example:
- Can i have a banana? - Can I have a banana? [One banana, any, unspecified].
- Can i have some bananas? - Can I have bananas? [Several].
Difference between some and article zero:
There is often no significant difference between using the zero article and some... However, we use some, when we mean a limited amount of something (we do not know the exact amount or do not want to say).
Some carries the meaning of "a certain amount of something". We do not use some, if we are talking about something in general or we mean the category of something. When we use some, we do not give the exact amount, but we can find out if necessary. For example:
- Can you buy some milk? - Can you buy some milk? [We do not know exactly how much, but we mean a certain amount of milk, not all milk in the world].
On the other hand, we use the zero article when we are not talking about quantity. The article is not required when we mean the word expressed by the noun as a category, and not as a specific quantity:
- We need Ø
milk to make pancakes. - We need milk to make pancakes. [We speak of milk as a category without referring to a specific quantity of product].
More examples: - We need to buy Ø coffee. - We need to buy coffee. [Coffee as a category, not a specific quantity of a product].
- Would you like some coffee? - Would you like some coffee? [This refers to a certain amount of coffee, a cup of coffee, for example].
- I ate some bread. - I ate some bread. [A certain amount of bread].
- I ate Ø bread. - I ate bread. [Precisely bread, not rice or pasta].
Remember that there is often little difference between the use of some and the zero article:
- Do you want Ø tea? - Do you want some tea? [We don't mean quantity].
- Do you want some tea? - Would you like some tea? [We mean a certain amount, but the meaning is the same as in the example above].
You can do to consolidate the above material.
Difference between some and any:
We usually use any in the same cases as some: when we mean a certain amount of something. Remember that and some and any are used with uncountable nouns or with plural nouns, and only sometimes with countable nouns in the singular.
Usually some is used in affirmative sentences, and any in interrogative and negative:
- She bought some tomatoes. - She bought some tomatoes. [affirmative sentence]
- She didn "t buy any tomatoes. - She didn't buy a few tomatoes. [negative sentence]
- Did she buy any tomatoes? - She bought some tomatoes? [interrogative sentence]
Exceptions:
1: Any can be used in affirmative sentences when it does not matter which of the total number of objects is being discussed. When any used in this sense, most often it is used with countable nouns in the singular:
- You can take any bus. - You can take any bus.
- Pass me any glass. - Pass me a glass.
- Come over any Sunday. - Come any Sunday.
2: Any can also be used in affirmative sentences if it comes after a word that has a negative or limiting connotation ( never - never, hardly - hardly, without - without):
- She never eats any fruit. - She never eats fruit.
- We hardly watch any television. - He can barely watch TV.
- Julia left the house without any money. - Julia left home without any money.
3: Some can be used in interrogative sentences when an affirmative answer is expected. For example, with requests or suggestions:
- Would you like some coffee? - Would you like some coffee?
- Do you want some sandwiches? - Would you like sandwiches?
- Could you give me some help? - Could you help me?
- Could you pass me some sugar? - Could you pass me sugar?
Compare the following two sentences:
- Do you have any letters for me? - Do you have letters for me? [This is a question. I don't know if you really have letters for me].
- Do you have some letters for me? - Any letters for me? [I expect there are letters for me].
Everything you need to know about some - any I tried to explain in this article in a concise and accessible language. Read everything carefully and you will learn the material the first time. In the future, you will not have any problems and questions, what is the difference between some and any and how to use them correctly. All examples are given with translation.
Some Any translation
Some - Any - are often not translated into Russian at all.
However, rely on the following meanings and translations:
Some - a little, a little, some, some.
Any - any.
When is Some Any used and what is the difference between them
1. Some - Any used with plural nouns.
I have some money.
I have money.
You can take any bus to the downtown.
You can take any bus to the city center.
He has some friends in New York.
He has friends in New York.
2. Some - Any used when we need to specify a quantity, but we do not know the exact quantity. Or the exact number doesn't matter.
Compare these offers:
I saw seven deer when riding my bike in the forest yesterday.
I saw seven deer in the forest yesterday.
* We report: we saw as many as 7 deer, we emphasize the number.
I saw some deer when riding my bike in the forest yesterday.
I saw deer in the forest yesterday.
* We inform the interlocutor about the fact: we saw deer.
How many there were, either we do not know, or it does not matter.
Some differs from Any in that
3. Some used in affirmative sentences.
I’m looking for some good music.
I'm looking for good music.
4. Any used in negative and interrogative.
5. Exception # 1: Some, however, is used in interrogative sentences when we ask or suggest something.
Would you like some more tea?
Would you like some more tea?
Can I have some water, please?
Can I have some water, please?
Do you want something to eat?
Do you want to eat something?
6. Exception # 2: Any can be used in affirmative sentences, with the words "any, anywhere, whatever."
Here is such a simple material that causes some difficulties for beginners to understand the topic and use - Some - Any in colloquial speech. Although there is nothing complicated in this rule - no. If you are at the beginner or elementary and pre-Intermediate level, this knowledge will be enough for you for an elementary explanation. They will help you to consolidate what you have passed
Climb up a notch - intermediate - see rule and examples below.
7. The above rules also apply to derived words containing some - any: somebody, anybody, something, anything, nothing, somewhere / anywhere / nowhere.
Someone forgot to turn the lights off before leaving.
Someone forgot to turn off the lights before leaving.
I don’t know anyone who works from home.
I don't know anyone who works from home.
Did you meet anyone new at the conference?
Did you meet anyone at the conference?
Nobody likes the new teacher.
Nobody likes a new teacher.
I want to try something new this year.
I want to try something new this year.
I didn’t eat anything at the restaurant.
I didn't eat anything in the restaurant.
Are you doing anything interesting this weekend?
Are you doing something interesting this weekend?
There’s nothing to do in this town.
There is nothing to do in this city.
Let’s go somewhere warm on our next vacation.
Let's go somewhere on the next vacation.
I can’t find my keys anywhere!
I can't find the keys anywhere!
Did you go anywhere else before coming home?
Did you go somewhere else before coming home?
The waiting room was so crowded that there was nowhere to sit down.
The waiting room was so crowded that there was nowhere to sit.
The English language increasingly penetrates all cultures, enters our life and occupies a significant place in it. The modern world every day demands self-development from a person, and knowledge of foreign languages is included in this list. To know English is to know and use its basic constructions correctly, taking into account all the nuances, of which there are many.
For some, a few memorized phrases in English may be enough, but in order to speak a foreign language competently and fluently, you need to study all its features, face its difficulties and understand the whole mechanism of its existence. And even such small particles as some, any, no, the rule of using which in different cases is applied in different ways, are important for in English.
Pronouns in English
A pronoun is a word that indicates an object or its characteristic, but does not name it. In English, there are several groups of pronouns, each of which has its own rules and features of use. One of the main groups is These include I, he, she, it, we, you, they, as well as the same pronouns in the object case. The second group - It includes that, this and their forms in Possessive pronouns are my, his, her, its, our, you’re and their. And pronouns occupy a large place among these groups. some, any, no... The rule for each of the groups is different, but in general they create a system that is an integral part of the English language.
Pronoun some
Some in English means "some", "several", "some". This pronoun is mainly used in affirmative sentences. For example:
I have some books. - I have some books.
You buy some buns. - You bought some buns.
About the nuances of use some, any, no the rule states that the first can be used in interrogative sentences if they are talking about a proposal or a request.
Would you like some milk? - Would you like some milk?
Give me, please, some water. - Give me some water, please.
With a wide variety of interpretations, the question may arise: when how to understand the translation of this word? This is why English is so diverse. Some, any- there is a rule for any case of their use. If the pronoun some characterizes something in the singular, then it is translated as “some”, and if in the plural, then “several”. But if it is an uncountable plural, then the translation will sound like "a little".
Pronoun any
Some or any- the rule of their translation is almost the same. Pronoun any although it has its own nuances of use, it is generally interpreted, like the previous pronoun, namely "some", "several", "some". Also any can be used with the meaning "any". Much overlaps when applied some or any... The rule is that they must be used before the noun they are characterizing.
Have you got any juice? - Do you have juice? (some juice)
I don’t have any ideas. - I don't have any ideas.
Any usually used in negative and interrogative sentences. If this pronoun is combined with a particle not, then it will have the value "none". Also any often not translated at all.
She didn "t make any mistakes in her test. - She made no mistakes on the test.
Have you got any books here? - Do you have any books here?
Pronoun no
No. translated as "not at all", "none". This pronoun is found exclusively in negative sentences and is used with all singular and plural nouns. the main task no- indicate the absence of something or someone.
I have no money today. - I have no money today.
There are no information in the newspaper. - There is no information in the newspaper.
Between not and no there is a big difference: the first is used for a verb, the second is used before a noun.
Some, any - rule, table of derivatives
Thanks to the above pronouns, you can create other words when talking about things, places or people. Some, any, no- the rule of their use allows you to connect them with other particles and get new pronouns. The English language is so versatile that even such operations are possible in it. But for their competent implementation, deep, fundamental knowledge is required.
| Some + | Any + | No + | |
| Things | Something | Anything | Nothing |
| People | Somebody, someone | Anybody, anyone | Nobody, no one |
| Places | Somewhere | Anywhere |
Rules for the use of derivatives from some, any, no
The rule of using derivatives from these pronouns is simple, but still worth considering for building a competent speech.
- Derivatives from these pronouns are used when the speech does not indicate where, what or who is performing the action.
- For a short answer, the forms nobody, nothing, or nowhere are suitable. They also need to be used when the form is in the affirmative, but the task is to build a negative sentence.
- Somebody, nobody is the same value as someone, no one. They are applied according to the same rules, and the meaning of the sentence does not change from such a replacement.
- Anybody, anything, anywhere should be used with verbs in negative form or in questions.
Usage table
Pronouns some, any- as a rule, a table of their use - all this needs to be learned and applied in practice for assimilation.
The English language is rich in grammatical constructions, and you need to know all of them to master the language at a high level. Pronouns some, any, no occupy one part out of a hundred, but you need to pay attention to these structures. Like Russian, English has various word forms that make it richer and brighter. Derivatives of these pronouns play the same important role as their stems, creating new concepts and meanings. These rules need to be honed, examples of their use are regularly created, taught and understood. English seems difficult when you expect its grammar to be too simple. But in fact, if you make an effort, all these designs will be remembered quickly and without difficulty.
The indefinite pronouns some and any in English are used when we are talking about a small number of objects or substances.
Some(places. some, some, some, some) and any(places. any, any, anyone, anything) combine with all nouns, both in the singular and in the plural. As a rule, they play the role of a definition for a noun. The article is not used in this case.
Most often, some is used in affirmative sentences, and any is used in negative and interrogative sentences.
Let's take a closer look at the cases of using some and any in the table below:
| SOME | ANY |
|---|---|
| In affirmative sentences: He asked me some questions. He asked me a few questions. Some of the students have already passed the exam. Some students have already passed the exam. |
In affirmative sentences meaning "any": You can get this book at any shop. You can buy this book at any store. |
| In general questions, when we are confident the answer is yes: You are crying. Have you got something in your eye? You are crying. Did you get something in your eye? In general, when it is more of a request or suggestion: Will you have some tea? Will you have some tea? Can I have some coffee? Can I have some (some) coffee? |
In general matters: Have you bought any sugar? Have you bought (any) sugar? |
| In special matters: Where can I buy some flowers? Where can I buy flowers? |
|
| In conditional sentences: If there are any British magazines in the shop, tell me at once. If there are any British magazines in the store, tell me right away. |
|
| In the meaning of "approximately" before the numbers: There were some 30 people in the room. There were about 30 people in the room. |
|
| In negative (as well as conditional negative) sentences in the meaning of "some", "not all": I haven’t found some books for the seminar. I need them badly. I didn’t find some books for the workshop. I really need them. If I don’t find some magazines she will get angry with me. If I don’t find some magazines, she’ll get mad at me. |
In negative sentences with the words "not" and "never": I haven’t any books on art. I have no art books. I have never seen anything of this kind. I've never seen anything like it. |
| Negative sentences do not include some or any after "no": I have no books of this kind at home. I have no such books at home. To express negation without the particle "not", the words "nobody" and "nothing" are used: Nobody is here. Nobody's here. |
|
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Dear readers, you often ask us questions and ask for help. We are happy to help everyone, check your assignments and create articles with explanations. Recently, we have received several emails asking to explain how to use the words some, any, no in sentences. At your request, keep the long-awaited article! If you are not always sure what you are using some, any, no as it should, then you will definitely need this information.
Any- a qualifier, which implies a certain number, is used with countable and uncountable nouns, when a specific number is not important or it is not necessary to indicate it. Any used in interrogative sentences ( any; any amount; any), but, as a rule, it is not translated into Russian. And any occurs in negative sentences ( not at all, not one, not at all), where it can be translated into Russian:
Have you got any questions? - Do you have (any, any) questions?
Did you buy any milk? - Have you bought (any; any amount) milk?
Were there any celebrities? - Were there (any, any) celebrities?
I cannot see any pictures. - I don't see (any) pictures.
We have not read any letters. - We have not read (any) letters.
There is not any furniture in the room. - There is (no) furniture in the room.
No.- determinant, which denotes the complete absence of something. Used in sentences with a negative meaning. No. is a stronger determinant than not any, conveys the idea of absence more emphatically, although both sentences are translated into Russian in the same way:
Usually, after no, countable plural nouns, uncountable nouns are used, but in certain contexts it is also possible to use no with countable nouns in the singular:
I have got no friends. - I have no friends.
She has no husband. - She has no husband.
Having a sentence with a word some, you will be able to compose its interrogative form (with any) and two negation clauses (c no and not any). If this topic is new to you, then at first you will still think about which word to use, but in the future you will learn to build different types statements automatically:
We have introduced you to the basics of using the words some, any, no. However, this is not all. There are some more nuances, we can say exceptions, which you also do not mind remembering.
As stated above, some most often used in affirmative sentences. Exceptions are interrogative sentences in which something is offered or asked:
Do you mind if ...?
Can I have some ...?
Would you like ...?
Would you like some tea? - Would you like (some) tea?
Do you mind if I take some cake? - Do you mind if I take (some) cake?
Can I have some water? - Can I have some water?
Some are also used in questions when they expect to receive a "Yes" answer, and to make it clear that they are waiting for an affirmative answer:
In addition to the indefinite amount, some denotes the indefiniteness of the subject itself (some) when used with a countable noun. If you want to show that an object or person is unknown to you or of little interest, do it using the word some:
As it turned out, some can be found in the question. May be, any used in affirmative statements? Yes, it is used. But not in all, but in some cases.
Any is used in, after if:
If you have any questions, just ask me. - If you have any questions, just ask me.
If they leave any messages, you must inform me. “If they leave any messages, you must inform me.
Any is used in statements meaning "any", "whatever", "it does not matter which" to emphasize the idea of free choice:
You can choose any dress, it will be my present for you. - You can choose any dress, it will be my gift.
If you do not know the way to the laboratory, ask any student. - If you do not know how to get to the laboratory, ask any student.
If any is used in this meaning, it is stressed in the sentence.
After words with negative meaning: never, hardly, without is used any rather than some:
That's all there is to know about words. some, any, no... Of course, each of these words has additional features, but we will talk about them in our next publications.
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