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Students What is the difference between 'some' and 'any'? - Teacher Stumpers
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What is the difference between 'some' and 'any'? - Teacher Stumpers

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Monday, 08 December 2008 00:00
Written by Neal Chambers

What is the difference between some and any?

Well, let's first go over the basics.

some and any are used when we don't know the exact number of something or the exact number of something is not important.

some is used for positive statements.  For example,

I bought some apples.  (The number of apples is not important.)
Some people went to the party last night. (I don't really know the exact number of people that went to the party.)

'any', generally speaking, is used for negative statements questions and if clauses.

I didn't buy any apples.
Did any teachers go to the party?
If you need any help please let me know.

But, but but wait! Why do we say:

Do you have some time?

It's a question, but we use some.  Why?  Because in this situation we are expecting the person answering the question to say yes (or we really want them to say yes).  Let's look at an example from EnglishSpark offices:

Jason is bored.  He is playing video games on his computer.  I need some help.  I ask "Do you have some time?" because I think he is free and he will say yes.

In the opposite situation,

Jason is working hard.  He is typing a really long report.  The deadline is in 2 hours.  I really need help.  I ask "Do you have any time?" because I'm not sure if he is free or not.

There is another exception though:

I hardly have any time lately!

This is a positive sentence, but we use any.  Why?  because when we use words that have a negative meaning (never, without, ...)  or a limiting meaning (little, hardly, barely, ...) we must use any.  Let's look at some examples:

I barely got any sleep last night.
I never drink any alcohol.  (Here, any is not needed but we add it for emphasis)

For additional information please check English Grammar Online's site:

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/vocabulary/some-any

You can also check out a few of these great online worksheets:

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises_list/mengen.htm
http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoEnglish/gr.some.i.htm
http://www.better-english.com/easier/some.htm

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Last Updated on Monday, 08 December 2008 13:25
 

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