Use some in positive sentences and any in negative sentences and most questions. Offers and requests take some. The same pattern runs through something, somebody, anything and anybody.
A some in positive sentences, any in negative sentences
| positive: some | negative: any |
|---|---|
| I've got some money. | I haven't got any money. |
The noun after some and any is plural (some eggs) or uncountable (some milk).
- I'm going to buy some potatoes.
- There's some cheese in the fridge.
- We sang some songs on the coach.
- I'm not going to buy any potatoes.
- There isn't any milk left.
- We didn't sing any songs. Everybody was asleep.
B any and some in questions
In most questions we use any.
We normally use some, not any, when we offer things (Would you like ...?) or ask for things (Can I have ...? Could you lend me ...?). Here we expect the answer yes, and we are probably right.
- Is there any bread?
- Have they got any children?
- Do you need any help with that?
- A: Would you like some cake? B: Yes, please.
- A: Can I have some more gravy, please? B: Of course. Help yourself.
- A: Could you lend me some money? B: How much do you need?
C some and any without a noun
When the noun is clear, we can leave it out and use some or any on their own.
- I didn't buy any postcards, but Gemma bought some. (= some postcards)
- You can have some chips if you like. I don't want any. (= any chips)
- I've just made some tea. Would you like some? (= some tea)
- "Where's your homework?" "I haven't got any." (= any homework)
- "Are there any plasters?" "Yes, there are some in the bathroom." (= some plasters)
D something / somebody and anything / anybody
The same rule applies to these words.
| some- | any- |
|---|---|
| something | anything |
| somebody (or someone) | anybody (or anyone) |
Use something and somebody in positive sentences, offers and requests. Use anything and anybody in negatives and most questions.
- He said something, but I didn't hear it.
- I saw somebody in the garden.
- Would you like something to drink?
- Quick! Somebody's knocking on the door.
- He didn't say anything.
- I didn't see anybody (or anyone).
- Are you doing anything on Saturday?
- Where's Callum? Has anybody seen him?
Exercises
76.1 Put in some or any.
I bought some apples but I didn't buy any pears.
I bought some apples but I didn't buy any pears.
I'm going to the chemist. I need plasters.
I'm going to the chemist. I need some plasters.
There aren't cafés in this village.
There aren't any cafés in this village.
Rob and Jen haven't got pets.
Rob and Jen haven't got any pets.
Have you got cousins in Scotland?
Have you got any cousins in Scotland?
There are lovely old houses on this street.
There are some lovely old houses on this street.
Do you know good restaurants in Leeds?
Do you know any good restaurants in Leeds?
"Would you like cake?" "Yes, please."
"Would you like some cake?" "Yes, please."
When we were in Wales, we climbed really big hills.
When we were in Wales, we climbed some really big hills.
Don't buy eggs. We don't need .
Don't buy any eggs. We don't need any.
I went out to buy bread but they didn't have in the bakery.
I went out to buy some bread but they didn't have any in the bakery.
I'm hungry. Can I have toast, please?
I'm hungry. Can I have some toast, please?
76.2 Complete the sentences. Use some or any with one of the words in the box.
batteriescousinsemailsfishflourhelpjokespresentssoupsugar
I want to make a cake. Is there any flour?
I want to make a cake. Is there any flour?
This afternoon I'm going to send .
This afternoon I'm going to send some emails.
I haven't got my wallet, so I can't buy .
I haven't got my wallet, so I can't buy any presents.
Do you know good ?
Do you know any good jokes?
Last weekend I went camping with of mine.
Last weekend I went camping with some cousins of mine.
Can I have in my tea, please?
Can I have some sugar in my tea, please?
The remote control isn't working. There aren't in it.
The remote control isn't working. There aren't any batteries in it.
I'm going to the market to buy fresh .
I'm going to the market to buy some fresh fish.
"Would you like ?" "No, thanks. I'm full."
"Would you like some soup?" "No, thanks. I'm full."
I can carry these bags myself. I don't need .
I can carry these bags myself. I don't need any help.
76.3 Complete the sentences with some or any, using the words in brackets.
Kieran didn't bring any sandwiches, but I brought some. (I / bring)
Kieran didn't bring any sandwiches, but I brought some.
"Where are your sunglasses?" "I haven't got any." (I / not / have)
"Where are your sunglasses?" "I haven't got any."
"Do you need any stamps?" "No, thank you. ." (I / have)
"Do you need any stamps?" "No, thank you. I've got some."
"Can you lend me some paper?" "I'm sorry, but ." (I / not / have)
"Can you lend me some paper?" "I'm sorry, but I haven't got any."
The bananas at the market looked old, so . (I / not / buy)
The bananas at the market looked old, so I didn't buy any.
There were some lovely strawberries at the market, so . (I / buy)
There were some lovely strawberries at the market, so I bought some.
76.4 Put in something, somebody, anything or anybody.
He whispered something to me, but I couldn't hear it.
He whispered something to me, but I couldn't hear it.
"Why are you limping?" "There's in my shoe."
"Why are you limping?" "There's something in my shoe."
Do you know about cars?
Do you know anything about cars?
I looked in the fridge, but I didn't find .
I looked in the fridge, but I didn't find anything.
has eaten my sandwich. I don't know who.
Somebody has eaten my sandwich. I don't know who.
There isn't in the box. It's empty.
There isn't anything in the box. It's empty.
I'm looking for my glasses. Has seen them?
I'm looking for my glasses. Has anybody seen them?
Would you like to eat?
Would you like something to eat?
I didn't say because I was nervous.
I didn't say anything because I was nervous.
It's a surprise party. Please don't tell .
It's a surprise party. Please don't tell anybody.