When I have to use "some" and when - "any"

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maverick88

#60647 Fri, 10 Dec 04 12:11 PM

I think that if we talk about something uncountable I must use "some"
But I am sure there are much more than that
Thank you

maverick88

Joined on Mon, Nov 22 2004

Israel

Regular Member (695)

An English learner

Teacher Eric

#60654 Fri, 10 Dec 04 01:40 PM

"Some" may be used with either countable or uncountable nouns. The same goes with "any".

I have some money left from yesterday's allowance.
Some of my friends went to the mall.

I don't have any friends.
Do you have any love left in your heart?

"Any" and "Some" may be interchangeable in a question although the former is preferred.

Do you have any milk?
Do you have some milk?

Use "any" when replying in the negative.

A: Do you have any money?
B: Sorry, I don't have any (milk).

Use "some" when replying in the affirmative.

A: Do you have any money?
B: Yeah, I have some (money).

Teacher Eric

Joined on Mon, Aug 16 2004

Full Member (171)

Manila-based ESL/ESP teacher with a TESOL. Hoping to get a "Pass" in the DELTA.

Nouns, Negatives, Uncountable nouns, Countable nouns, Countable or uncountable

maverick88

#60669 Fri, 10 Dec 04 03:17 PM

So besides the replying in thenegative\affirmative there is no difference between them
I know that there is but can you please explain me additionally to giving examples?
Thank you veeeeery much

maverick88

Difference between, Negatives

Teacher Eric

#60744 Sat, 11 Dec 04 04:08 AM

"Some" is generally used for affirmative statements.

1. I'm going to buy some stuff at Costco.
2. There's some dirt on the carpet.
3. We had some people over for dinner last night.
4. There are some guests complaining about the service.

"Any" is generally used in negative statements.

1. I'm not going to buy any stuff at Costco.
2. There isn't any dirt on the carpet.
3. We didn't have any people over for dinner last night.
4. There aren't any guests complaining about the service.

Use "Any" in most questions although "some" may also be used. I'd choose "any" over "some", though. Your call.

Is there any cold water in the fridge?
Is there some cold water in the fridge?

Does he have any friends?
Does he have some friends?

Use "Some" when asking for things.

Can I have some more?
May I use some of your stuff?
Can you lend me some money?

Use "Some" when offering things. Use for plural and uncountable nouns. For singular nouns, use a/an.

Would you like some milk?
Would you like to have some (more) oranges?
Would you like an apple?

"Some" and "any" can be used even without a noun. However, the noun should've been established previously.

I didn't drink any beer but James drank some. (some = some beer)
You can have some but I don't want any. (some = some + noun; any = any + noun)

A: Hey, I ordered some pizza. Would you like some?
B: No thanks. I don't want any.