'Some' and 'Any': A Simple Guide to Their Usage

Mister Guru (Prastowo Ismanto)
0
ThumbnailIn this post, you are going to learn how to use "some" and "any" quantifiers and how they are different. Read the dialogue below in which there are sentences with "some" and "any" quantifiers. Pay close attention to how "some" and "any" are used.
A. Example Dialogue
Raka is visiting Hadi after school when Mrs. Wira, Hadi's mother, joins their conversation.

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
  1. "Some" is used in positive sentences. Examples:
    1. I'm going to buy some books.
    2. There's some ice in the fridge.
    3. We did some exercises.
  2. "Any" is used in negative sentences. Examples:
    1. I'm not going to buy any books.
    2. There isn't any ice in the fridge.
    3. We didn't do any exercises.
  3. Most questions (but not all) use "any". Examples:
    1. Is there any ice in the fridge?
    2. Do you have any money?
    3. Why didn't you do any exercises?
  4. When we make offers or requests, we normally use "some", not "any". Examples:
    1. Would you like some ice cream?
    2. Can I have some coffee, please?
    3. Can you lend me some money?
  5. We can use "some" and "any" without a noun. Examples:
    1. I didn't take any photographs, but Ann took some. (=some photographs)
    2. I've just made some coffee. Would you like some? (=some coffee)
    3. We don't have any sugar. I'm going to buy some this afternoon. (=some sugar)
  6. 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:
    1. 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.)
    2. 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

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