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Meaning & use

any vs some

phrase·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌeni və ˈsʌm/
US/ˌeni vər ˈsʌm/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    A guide to choosing between two determiners: some for positive statements, any for negatives and questions.

    Grammar: Use some in statements like 'I have some money'; use any after not or in most questions: 'I don't have any money.'

    Patterns

    • some + plural or uncountable noun
    • any + plural or uncountable noun
    • not ... any ...
    • Is there any ...?

    There are some biscuits in the tin if you want one.

    We don't have any milk left, so I'll buy some.

    Did you see any good films at the weekend?

  2. phrasefixed phrase

    In offers and requests, some is usual because the speaker expects a positive answer.

    Grammar: Offers and requests take some, not any: 'Would you like some coffee?' sounds friendly and hopeful.

    Patterns

    • Would you like some ...?
    • Can I have some ...?
    • Could you give me some ...?

    Would you like some water before we start?

    Can I borrow some sugar for this recipe?

    Could you bring some chairs for the guests?

  3. phrasefixed phrase

    Any can mean 'it does not matter which' in positive statements, often after words like whatever or anyone.

    Grammar: Here any is stressed and means 'one of all'; it is not negative at all.

    Patterns

    • any + singular noun
    • any of + plural noun
    • at any time
    • in any way

    You can sit at any table you like.

    Choose any color from the list.

    Call me at any time if you need help.

Common combinations

some more
Would you like some more rice?
any longer
She doesn't work here any longer.
any good
Was the concert any good?
some kind of
He's some kind of engineer, I think.
not any more
There isn't any more bread.

Synonyms and how they differ

a few
Used with countable nouns in positive sentences, where it means a small number and cannot replace any in negatives.
a little
Used with uncountable nouns in positive sentences, similar to some but suggesting a small amount.

Word family

someone pronoun
A person you do not name, used in positive statements.
anyone pronoun
A person you do not name, used in questions and negatives.
something pronoun
A thing you do not name, used in positive statements.
anything pronoun
A thing you do not name, used in questions and negatives.

Commonly confused: any vs some or some vs any? any vs some or a/an?

any vs some vs some vs any

They are the same pair reversed; the rule about positive statements and negatives or questions stays the same.

any vs some vs a/an

These are articles for one countable thing; some and any are used with plurals or uncountable nouns.

Practice

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