Some and any have the same meaning. Before countable nouns, we can put “some” or “any” to mean a certain number of. We can say “some books” if we want to say more than one book. So, some books can mean two, three, or four books. Otherwise, if we want to say only one book, we have to say “a book”. Similarly, before uncountable nouns, we can put “some” or “any” when we want to say a certain amount of something. For example, we can say “some water” or “some tea” etc. So, “some water” means a certain amount of water.
The Difference between Some and Any
Generally we use some in positive sentences and any in negative sentences :
Ann has bought some new shoes.
I’ve got something in my eye .
They haven’t got any children.
He’s lazy . He never does any work.
1. Any in Positive Sentences
We use any in the positive sentences whose meaning is negative:
Brian left home without any money . (He didn’t have any money .)
She refused to say anything. (She didn’t say anything.)
2. Any After If in Positive Sentences
The Use of any / anyone / anything etc . after if:
If anyone comes, tell them to wait for me here. I’m coming back soon.
If one has any questions, l’ll be pleased to answer them .
If you need anything, just ask .
Buy some mangoes if you see any.
3. Any in Positive Sentences That Have The Idea of If
The following sentences are without if, but they have the idea of if :
Anyone who wants to take part in this competition must give me their names before Friday . (= if there is anyone who …)
I’ll send on any letters that arrive for you. (= if there are any)
4. Any in Questions
In questions we normally use any (not ‘some ‘). Let’s see the following examples :
Is there any food in our fridge?
Are there any students in the library?
5. Some in Questions
We often use some in questions when we expect the answer ‘ yes ‘. Let’s see the following examples.
What’s wrong with your hair ? Have you got something in it? ( = I think you have got something in your hair and I expect you say ‘ yes ‘)
We use some in questions, especially when we offer or ask for things . Let’s see the following examples.
Would you like some tea?
Can I have some of those apples?
6. Special Meaning of Any
Any also has another meaning. Let’s see the following table.
| Any …… | Meaning | Sentences |
| any anyone anybody anything anywhere anyhow | It doesn’t matter which … It doesn’t matter who … It doesn’t matter who… It doesn’t matter which… It doesn’t matter where… It doesn’t matter how… | Positive, negative, questions Positive, negative, questions Positive, negative, questions Positive, negative, questions Positive, negative, questions Positive, negative, questions |
You can have any of the cars. They all belong to our father. (= It doesn’t matter which of these cars.)
Come and see me anytime you want. (= whenever )
Just give her anything she wants. She’ll change her mind.
She’s so beautiful and kind to everyone. Anybody can fall in love with her. (=whoever)
Anywhere I go, you’ll stay in my heart.
7. Some…. Any …. Are Singular Words
Someone, somebody, anyone, anybody are singular words. Let’s see the following examples:
Someone wants to see you.
Is anybody home?
8. Pronoun for Anybody, Anyone, Somebody, Someone
We usually use the pronouns they, them, or their to refer to anybody, anyone, somebody and someone. Let’s see the following examples.
If anyone wants to go with him, they can.
Somebody has dropped their wallet on the street.
Someone has sent you these flowers, haven’t they?
Some and Any Exercises I
Complete the sentences with some or any.
- The students need ………new books.
- They don’t need …….new laptops.
- I haven’t got …….sisters.
- She never wants to put … make-up.
- The company needs to recruit … more employees.
Some and Any Exercises II
Complete the sentences with some, any, someone, anyone, something, anything, somewhere, anywhere.
- Would you like ……to eat?
- Do you live ………near the river?
- There’s ……knocking at the door. Please, check who it is.
- Can I have …. sugar in my tea, please?
- …. you go, the police will find you. So, you’d better surrender.
- Would you like ………more milk?
- He just left me without saying …….
- Tell ….. you see to go back, there’s a wild bear around here.
- If ……..needs assistance, they can contact me.
- This key can open … of the door in this hotel.
Some and Any Exercise III
Use any, anyone, anything, anywhere to complete the sentences below.
Example : It doesn’t matter what Samson eats, he will be strong. ………………….., he will be strong.
You write : Anything Samson eats, he will be strong.
1. It doesn’t matter when you buy this machine, you will get 20 % discount.
………………………………………, you will get 20 % discount.
2. It doesn’t matter who you are talking to, they won’t believe you.
…………………………., they won’t believe you.
3. It doesn’t matter what you give her, she won’t be satisfied.
…………………………….., she won’t be satisfied.
Answer
Exercise I
- The students need some new books.
- They don’t need any new laptops.
- I haven’t got any sisters.
- She never wants to put any make-up.
- The company needs to recruit some more employees.
Exercise II
- Would you like something to eat?
- Do you live anywhere near the river?
- There’s someone knocking at the door. Please, check who it is.
- Can I have some sugar in my tea, please?
- Anywhere you go, the police will find you. So, you’d better surrender.
- Would you like some more milk?
- He just left me without saying anything.
- Tell anybody you see to go back, there’s a wild bear around here.
- If anybody needs assistance, they can contact me.
- This key can open any of the door in this hotel. It’s a master key.
Exercise III
- Anytime you buy this machine, you will get a 20 % discount.
- Anyone you are talking to, they won’t believe you.
- Anything you give her, she won’t be satisfied.
Other Exercises
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