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Some and Any

1

What is it?

"SOME" and "ANY" are used with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns to talk about an indefinite quantity. Use SOME in: (1) positive sentences ("I have some books"), (2) offers/requests ("Would you like some tea?"). Use ANY in: (1) negative sentences ("I don't have any money"), (2) questions ("Do you have any books?"), (3) with negative words like "never/hardly" ("I hardly have any time"). Exception: use SOME in questions when offering or requesting ("Can I have some water?").

2

How to form it

SubjectPositiveNegativeQuestion
Some (positive)I have some books. / There's some water.not usedCan I have some tea? (offer)
Any (negative)not usedI don't have any books. / There isn't any water.Do you have any books?
Some (offers/requests)Would you like some coffee?not usedCan I have some help?
Any (questions)not usednot applicableDo you have any money?
Any (if clauses)If you have any questions...not usednot applicable
Compoundssomething, someone, somewhereanything, anyone, anywhereanything, anyone, anywhere
  • • Some: positive sentences → I have some books. / There's some water.
  • • Any: negative sentences → I don't have any books. / There isn't any water.
  • • Any: questions → Do you have any money? / Is there any food?
  • • Some: offers/requests (questions) → Would you like some tea? / Can I have some water?
  • • Some: expected 'yes' answer → Did you buy some milk? (I think you did)
  • • Any: neutral questions → Do you have any pets? (I don't know)
  • • Any: with negative words → hardly any, never any, without any
  • • Compounds: something/anything, someone/anyone, somewhere/anywhere
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When to use it

  1. 1

    SOME — positive sentences

    "I have some books." / "There's some water." / "I bought some apples." / "She has some friends."

  2. 2

    ANY — negative sentences

    "I don't have any books." / "There isn't any water." / "I didn't buy any apples." / "She doesn't have any friends."

  3. 3

    ANY — questions (neutral)

    "Do you have any books?" / "Is there any water?" / "Did you see any birds?" (I don't know the answer)

  4. 4

    SOME — offers and requests (questions)

    "Would you like some tea?" (offer) / "Can I have some water?" (request) / "Could you lend me some money?" (request)

  5. 5

    SOME — questions expecting "yes"

    "Did you buy some milk?" (I think you did) / "Didn't you have some cake?" (I saw it)

  6. 6

    ANY — with negative words (hardly, never, without)

    "I hardly have any time." / "She never has any luck." / "He left without any money."

  7. 7

    Compounds: something/anything, someone/anyone, somewhere/anywhere

    Positive: "I saw something." | Negative: "I didn't see anything." | Question: "Did you see anything?"

4

Common mistakes

I don't have some money.

I don't have any money.

Use 'any' in negative sentences, not 'some'.

Do you have some books? (neutral question)

Do you have any books?

Use 'any' in neutral questions (unless offering/requesting).

Would you like any tea? (offer)

Would you like some tea?

Use 'some' in offers and requests, even though it's a question.

I have any books. (positive)

I have some books.

Use 'some' in positive sentences, not 'any'.

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Quick reference

  • Some: positive sentences → I have some books. / There's some water.
  • Any: negative sentences → I don't have any books. / There isn't any water.
  • Any: neutral questions → Do you have any money? / Is there any food?
  • Some: offers/requests → Would you like some tea? / Can I have some water?
  • Some: expected 'yes' → Did you buy some milk? (I think you did)
  • Any: with negatives → hardly any, never any, without any
  • Compounds: something/anything, someone/anyone, somewhere/anywhere
  • Rule: positive = some | negative/question = any | offer/request = some
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Natural conversation example

At a café

W

Waiter

Would you like some coffee?
T

Tom

Yes, please. Do you have any milk?
W

Waiter

Yes, we have some milk. Would you like some sugar too?
T

Tom

No, thanks. I don't take any sugar.
L

Lisa

Can I have some water, please?
W

Waiter

Of course! Is there anything else you need?
L

Lisa

No, I don't need anything else. Thank you!

Practice Exercises

Complete with "some" or "any".

  1. 1.
    I have books.
  2. 2.
    I don't have money.
  3. 3.
    Do you have water?
  4. 4.
    Would you like tea?
  5. 5.
    There isn't food.
  6. 6.
    Can I have help?
A Little / A FewAll TopicsSomething / Anything / Nothing / Everything

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