Some and any

Some can mean some, some, some or some, and any can mean some, some, some, some, none or none. In this article we will describe you the use of some and any.

The words some and any are used when referring to the quantity of something and can be used with countable or countless nouns.

The nouns countable (count nouns) are those which have a singular form and plural form.

The uncountable nouns, on the other hand, have only the singular form and their plural is expressed through a complement.

Examples :

• She has some Greek books.  – The word books is countable.
• She drank two cups of coffee.  – The word coffee is countless and its quantity was expressed through the complement cups.

Now that you know a little more about countable nouns and uncountable nouns, understand the difference between some and any.

When to use some and any in English

See below when using any and add and understand the difference between the two words.

Use of any

The word any is generally used in negative and interrogative sentences and can refer to countable nouns and countless nouns.

Any, in English, means some, some, some, some, none or none and is used when we want to refer to an undefined amount of something.

Examples :

• Are there any chocolates left? 
• Is there any piece of cheese left in the fridge? 
• There aren’t any kids in the classroom. . ACCOUNTING
• There isn’t any milk in the jar. UNCONTROLLED

Exception: the word any can be used in affirmative sentences when accompanied by the words if (if) or whether (if).

In these cases, the word any can also mean any.

Examples :

• We will help you if you have any problems. 
• Let me know whether you have any questions.

Use of some

The word some is generally used in affirmative sentences and can refer to countable nouns and countless nouns.

Some, in English, means some, some, some, some or a little and is used when we want to refer to an undefined amount of something.

Examples :

• Some students arrived late.  ACCOUNTANT
• There is some coffee in the cup.  UNCONTROLLED
• My father bought some books for me.  ACCOUNTANT
• There is some water in the glass. 

Exception: we can construct interrogative sentences with some when something is offered or asked for.

Examples :

• Would you like some coffee?  OFFER
• Could you lend me some money? REQUEST

We hope that you have understood the use of some and any.