4. SOME and ANY

Some is used in positive sentences. Any is used for negative sentences. EXAMPLE: I have some peanuts for the monkeys. EXAMPLE: I don't have any peanuts for the monkeys. We use some for questions with possible yes answers, and any for questions whose answers are uncertain. EXAMPLE: Do you want some medicine for your cough? EXAMPLE: Is there any medicine for my cough? Sometimes, we can use some and any instead of a/an when referring to quantity. EXAMPLE: Is there a bird in that tree? Are there any birds in that tree? EXAMPLE: There is an egg in the nest. There are some eggs in the nest. We can choose not to use some and any when referring to quantity. EXAMPLE: There is some coffee for you. = There is coffee for you. EXAMPLE: Are there any apples in the fridge? = Are there apples in the fridge? Some and any are used with countable nouns. EXAMPLE: There are some letters for you. EXAMPLE: Are there any letters in the mailbox? Some and any are used with uncountable nouns. EXAMPLE: There is some tea in the pot. EXAMPLE: Is there any tea in the pot? Some and any can be used without adding nouns if it is understood what is meant. EXAMPLE: I can give you some. / Sorry, I don't have any to lend you. Some and any have other uses. EXAMPLE: I have not seen a kangaroo for some years. EXAMPLE: Any idea you have must not be ridiculous. Some is not normally used in descriptions. EXAMPLE: He's got dark hair on his chest. (NOT: He's got some dark hair on his chest.) We do not use some to identify people or things. EXAMPLE: Adam and Eve are family doctors. (NOT: Adam and Eve are some family doctors.) We can use some in questions. EXAMPLE: Do you want some pineapple juice? (Uncountable noun) EXAMPLE: Did you buy some scented flowers? (Countable noun) Some can be used on its own, somewhat like a pronoun. EXAMPLE: Most in the audience were enjoying the performance, but some were sleeping. Any can be used in positive statements. EXAMPLE: You can borrow any of my tools. We can use any in interrogative sentences. EXAMPLE: Are there any problems with your work? Any can be used in a sentence with if. EXAMPLE: If you had any brain, you wouldn't have done it.