Some and any

A Basic use

Some and any go before a plural or uncountable noun (see Unit 85A).

There was a bowl and some cornflakes on the table, but there wasn't any milk. We can also use some and any without a noun.

Trevor wanted some milk, but he couldn't find any.

We normally use some in positive sentences and any in negative sentences or ones with a negative meaning.

POSITIVE NEGATIVE

There's some milk in the fridge. I haven't any milk. (= I have no milk.)

I need some stamps. ~ There are some I haven't got any stamps. Have you got any?

in the drawer.

I met some interesting people last night. I never meet any interesting people nowadays.

We'll have some fun at Disneyland. We won't have any fun without you.

We can also use any in a sentence with if.

If you have any problems, you can discuss them with your group leaders. I can answer any questions. (= If there are any questions,...)

In questions we can use either some or any, but any is more common. We don't know whether the answer will be yes or no.

Have we got any butter? Will there be any food for the guests? Did you buy any clothes?

We normally use some in offers and requests to make them sound more positive.

Would you like some coffee? Could you post some letters for me? We can use some in questions when we think the answer might be yes.

Did you buy some clothes? (Perhaps I know that you went out to buy some.)

B Someone, anything, etc

We choose between someone and anyone, something and anything, and somewhere and anywhere in the same way as between some and any.

Someone has spilt water everywhere. Did anyone see what happened?

Would you like something to eat? We haven't got anything to eat.

Let's go out somewhere. Is there anywhere we can go?

C Another use of any

We can use any in a positive sentence to mean 'it doesn't matter which'.

I'm free all day. Call any time you like.

Any student will be able to tell you where the college library is.

You can buy these maps at any petrol station. They all have them.

We say any petrol station because all petrol stations have the maps. It doesn't matter which one you go to. They are all equally good.

Look at these examples with anyone, anything and anywhere.

It's a very simple puzzle. Anyone could solve it. (= It doesn't matter who.) What shall we have for lunch? ~ Oh, anything. I don't mind. Where do we have to sit? ~ We can sit anywhere. It doesn't matter.

85A A/an and some 103 Everyone, something, etc

? They've got some sandwiches.

? She hasn't got any money. 2 ………………………………………

1 …………………………………. 3 ………………………………….

2 Basic use (A)

Justin Cooper is a radio disc jockey. Complete what he is saying. Put in some or any.

That was 'I can't find {->)any love' by Arlene Black. Now, I've had (►)some letters asking for something by
Express. One listener says she hasn't heard (1)……………. Express songs on this programme for months.

Well, I'm going to put that right. And this will be our last track because there isn't (2)……………… more

time left. We've had (3)……………. great songs tonight, and I'll be here next week to play (4)………….

more. Now here's (5)……………. music from Express - 'I never have (6)………………luck'.

3 Some, any, someone, anyone, etc (A-B)

Complete the conversations. Put in some, any, anyone, someone, something or anything.

► Trevor: We haven't got any bread.

Laura: You'd better go to the shop, then. We need some tomatoes, too.

1 Claire: Would you like ......................................... cheese and biscuits?

Sarah: Oh, no thank you. That was delicious, but I couldn't eat………………………… else.

2 Harriet: There's........................................ at the door.

Mike: Are we expecting............................................. visitors?

3 Melanie: Has ..................................... offered to help you with the tea?

Rita: No, but I'd be very grateful for…………………………..help you can give.

4 Vicky: I was looking for............................................ , and now I can't remember what it was.
Rachel: You said you were looking for .......................... matches.

4 Another use of any (C)

Put in any + noun, anyone or anything.

? The seats aren't reserved. You can have any seat you like.

? I don't mind what we do today. We can do anything you want.

1 If it's your party, you can invite.......................... ……………… you like.

2 All the buses go into the town centre. Take………………………….. that comes along here.

3 This carpet is available in lots of colours. You can have…………………………… you like.

4 My father has the television on all the time. He'll watch…………………………….

5 It doesn't matter which day you phone. Ring………………………….. you like.

Date: 2014-12-22; view: 1344