Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Quantifiers (2): Some & Any





"Some" and "any" are quantifiers used with both countable and uncountable nouns. "Some" means a little, a few, or a small number. "Any" means one, some, or all. Their usage, however, are little bit different.
 
[1] SOME:

We use "some" in positive sentences. We use it for both countable and uncountable nouns.

For examples,
  • I have some friends.
  • She bought some milk yesterday. 
Exceptions: 

a) We use "some" in questions when offering or requesting something that is there.

For examples,


  • Would you like some bread? (Offer)
  • Could I have some water? (Request)
b) We usually use any in questions. But if we expect or want the other to answer ‚yes‘, we use some.

For examples,

  • “Have you got some new products?” “Yes, we’ve just launched.”
  • “Have they bought some sugar?” “Yes, I did.”
Compound words "some": somebody, somewhere, something, etc.

Like "some", we use some words in positive sentences.For examples,
  • He lives somewhere near here.
  • Someone has spilled water everywhere.

[2] ANY: 

We use "any" in negative sentences or questions. We use it for both countable and uncountable nouns.

For examples,
  • Do you have any cheese?
  • He doesn't have any friends in Phnom Penh.
Exceptions:

a). We use “any” in positive sentences when the meaning is “It doesn’t matter which one (thing, place or person)” and in conditional sentences.


For examples,


  • Choose any topic you like.
  • I’m free all day. Call any time you like.
  • Any teacher will explain to you clearly.
b) We also use “any” in positive clauses with adverbs “never”, “without”, or “hardly”.

For examples,

  • We never go to any expensive place.
  • She did her homework without any help.
  • There’s hardly any retailers here.
c) We also use “any” in conditional sentences.

For examples,

  • If you have any problems, please call.
  • I can answer any questions. (= If there are any questions, …)
  • Any detail information about the job, you can view our website.

Compound words "any": Anybody, anywhere, anything, etc. 

Like "any", we use any words in in negative sentences or questions. For examples,

For examples,
  • Do you know anything about that boy?
  • She doesn't have anywhere to go.

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