A. Example Dialogue
Mrs. Wira: "Do you have any homework today, Hadi?"
Hadi: "Mmmm .... I think we don't have any homework today. I'm glad. I don't like homework."
Mrs. Wira: "I know you don't like it, but are you sure you don't have any homework?"
Raka: "I think we do. We have some homework, Hadi. We must do an English exercise, remember?"
Hadi: "Oh, no!"
Raka: "Look - this is the exercise."
Hadi: "Yes. I remember now. I'm sorry."
Mrs. Wira: "Well, if you don't have anything to do, you'd better start your homework now."
Hadi: "Yes. Mom. .... Oh, I don't have any paper."
Mrs. Wira: "Here's some paper you can use."
After a while:
Hadi: "Oh, my pen is out of ink, and I don't have any spare pens."
Mrs. Wira: "Oh, dear! Raka, do you have a spare pen?"
Raka: "Yes, I do, Mrs. Wira."
Mrs. Wira: "Good. Please lend it to Hadi."
Raka: "Here you are, Hadi."
Hadi: "Thank you."
Thirty minutes later:
Hadi: "I've finished it. Could you check my work, Mom?"
Mrs. Wira: "Alright, let me see it, Hadi. Hmm, you have some mistakes here, I think."
Hadi: "Really? Which one?"
Mrs. Wira: "Look at this sentence. That isn't considered correct. Can you correct it?"
Hadi: "Oh, I see! I will correct that sentence. Thanks, Mom."
Mrs. Wira: "What about you, Raka? Let me see your work."
Raka: "I think I have some mistakes too."
Mrs. Wira: "No, you don't. You don't have any. Well done."
Hadi: "Raka doesn't usually make any mistakes, Mom. Please look at my work again. Is it correct now?"
Mrs. Wira: "I think so, Hadi. I don't see any mistakes now."
Hadi: "Good."
Mrs. Wira:: "Well, would you both like something to drink now?"
Hadi and Raka: "Yes, please. Thank you."
B. Explanation
- "Some" is used in positive sentences. Examples:
- I'm going to buy some books.
- There's some ice in the fridge.
- We did some exercises.
- "Any" is used in negative sentences. Examples:
- I'm not going to buy any books.
- There isn't any ice in the fridge.
- We didn't do any exercises.
- Most questions (but not all) use "any". Examples:
- Is there any ice in the fridge?
- Do you have any money?
- Why didn't you do any exercises?
- When we make offers or requests, we normally use "some", not "any". Examples:
- Would you like some ice cream?
- Can I have some coffee, please?
- Can you lend me some money?
- We can use "some" and "any" without a noun. Examples:
- I didn't take any photographs, but Ann took some. (=some photographs)
- I've just made some coffee. Would you like some? (=some coffee)
- We don't have any sugar. I'm going to buy some this afternoon. (=some sugar)
- In some contexts, using "some" (especially in questions) suggests that you're assuming or expecting a positive answer, or already believe the answer might be affirmative, whereas using "any" implies a more neutral, uncertain, or open-ended question, without assuming whether or not the answer is positive or negative. Examples:
- Do you have some time to help me with this? (You think the person probably does have time or are subtly encouraging them to say yes.)
- Do you have any time to help me with this?" (You're not assuming whether they have time or not—you're simply asking.)
Now Challenge Yourself with This Exercise
📘 'Some' VS 'Any' Interactive Exercises