any - every

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Anonymous  #451078  Sat, 08 Dec 07 07:35 PM

The authorities have abandoned any attempt to distribute food...

Would "every" sound as correct and natural as "any" here?

  
Clive  #451082  Sat, 08 Dec 07 07:49 PM

Hi,

The authorities have abandoned any attempt to distribute food... This is what is normally said. This focuses on the idea of 'none, not even a minimal effort'.

Would "every" sound as correct and natural as "any" here? 'Every' focuses on the idea that efforts have been made, but all of these have been abandoned.

Clive

  
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