Any+singular or plural noun?

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meg2589

#42396 Mon, 16 Aug 04 04:53 AM

Could anybody please explain the use of singular or plural noun following "any"? I have seen its use with both singular and plural nouns. For example, "any informations, any vacancies, any advice, any help".
I think [ANY + countable noun (plural)]
and [ANY + noncountable noun] Am I right?
regards,
Meg

meg2589

Joined on Thu, Jul 22 2004

Japan

Junior Member (77)

Regards, Plurals, Nouns, Countable Nouns

CalifJim

#42397 Mon, 16 Aug 04 05:11 AM

[ANY + noncountable noun] Yes, possible.
[ANY + countable noun singular] Yes, possible.
[ANY + countable noun plural] Yes, possible.

For the first one, you have no choice. (By the way, "information" is noncountable in English. There is no word "informations".) Smile [:)]

The choice between the second and third may be what's giving you trouble. Can you give more specific sentences where you are having difficulty deciding whether singular or plural is correct?

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (17,697)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Plurals, Nouns, Countable Nouns

meg2589

#42535 Tue, 17 Aug 04 03:28 AM

Thank you very much CalifJim for your help!

[ANY + countable noun singular]
[ANY + countable noun plural]

Now I understand this. Actually I used to think that [ANY + countable noun plural] was wrong. But now the use of ANY is clear to me.

And for the word "informations", thanks for catching my mistake. Smile [:)]

meg2589

Plurals, Nouns, Countable Nouns

CalifJim

#42546 Tue, 17 Aug 04 05:34 AM

[ANY + countable noun plural] is not at all wrong. I'm glad you don't think so anymore! Smile [:)]

CalifJim

Plurals, Nouns, Countable Nouns

meg2589

#42584 Tue, 17 Aug 04 12:32 PM

Thanks CalifJim for your help.
Actually I am a non-native speaker of English. The problem with non-native speakers is they translate their language to English and sometimes what we think is correct in our own language may not be correct while translating. In my language, we don't use ANY with plural noun. And there are many other examples like ANY.
I am glad that with the help of friends like you, I am able to understand the correct usage of English.
Warm regards,
meg2589

meg2589

Regards, Plurals, Nouns, Warm Regards

Anonymous

#509683 Mon, 05 May 08 08:04 AM

The problem with non native speakers could be because of the translation from their native languages. It could also because of the fact that most of the non native speakers think in their native languages when they have to speak and try to put words in english that would be of close match. If we start thinking in English, the problem can be resolve I guess.

Also, English as a language is very unscientific and has no logical reasoning. For many a things, we have to blindly agree.

All the best

Anonymous

Plurals, Nouns, Translation