Some and Any.

 

1. Study the rule.

Some and any are used with plural and uncountable nouns, usually when we are talking about unknown or uncertain amounts or numbers of things.

 

 

 

 

 

Some is used - in affirmative sentences e.g. I have left some food for you in the fridge. - In questions when we expect agreement or the answer ‘Yes’. e.g. Would you like some coffee?

Any is used - in sentences with a negative meaning (including words as not, barely, hardly, never, rarely, scarcely, seldom; deny, fail, forbid, prohibit; impossible, unlikely) e.g. It was impossible for any air to get out. - in other questions e.g. Do we have any cheese left?

 

 

 

 

 

Some and any can also be used to talk about a particular person or thing without mentioning them specifically.

e.g. There must be some way I can contact Jo. (There must be a way, but I don’t know it.)

 

 

 

 

 

Some is used - when we mean quite a large amount of or large number of something, e.g. The talks went on at some length. - when we mean ‘not all’, e.g.  Some people don’t like tea. - in offers and requests in order to sound positive, expecting the answer ‘Yes’, e.g. Shall I send you some details?

Any is used - when we mean ‘all’, and it doesn’t matter which, e.g. Any of the students could have answered the questions. - when any means ‘if there is/are any’, e.g Any questions could be sent to the manager. - commonly in ‘if’ clauses, e.g. If you have any problems, let me know.

 

 

 

 

 

2. Complete these sentences by using some or any.

A number of compound words begin with some and any. The use of these words is generally the same as that of some and any.

 

1. I’ve met __________ people, but I don’t have __________ real friends yet.
2. Are there __________ jobs that men can do but women can’t?
3. Is there __________ petrol in the tank? – Well, I filled it yesterday. There must be left.
4. __________ doctor will tell you that smoking is bad for you.
5. Could you give me __________ examples?
6. If you find __________ mistakes, please tell me.
7. We’ve hardly got __________ cat food.
8. I know you speak __________ French, but do you speak __________ German?
9. I thought I had met ___________ of the people here but I don’t know __________ of them.
10. Have you got __________ idea what the time it is?

 

3. Match the sentences with the meaning.

It took some minutes to see what we had done wrong. There are some 500 people at the meeting. Monica’s really some actress. There must be some person who knows the answer. You are some help. I must say. Albert isn’t any hairdresser, you know. Any coat will do. It needn’t be a raincoat.

a) it doesn’t matter which b) an extraordinary c) an ordinary d) not much e) about f) several g) an unknown

 

 

 

4. Justin Cooper is a radio disc jockey. Complete what he is saying.

 

That was ‘I can’t find __________ love’ by Arlene Black. Now, I’ve got __________ letters asking for __________ by Express. One listener says she hasn’t heard __________ Express song on this programme for months. Well, I’m going to do that right. And this will be our last track because there isn’t __________ more time left. We’ve had __________ great songs tonight, and I’ll be here next week playing __________ more. Now, here’s __________ music from Express – ‘I never have __________ luck’.

 

5. Answer the questions using any. Ask your own questions.

 

1. Where can you get: a plane ticket? – At any travel agent’s.

lead-free petrol? screws and nails? stamps? running-shoes?

2. Who can give you advice on: English pronunciation? getting a

divorce? paying your taxes? milking cows? problems with your health?

 

6. Rewrite these sentences using some or any.

 

1. All children can learn to read and write.
2. Not all of the children understood.
3. I will be free every day next week.
4. All the buses will take you to the city centre.
5. A few people said that they would be late.
6. You can buy it at all good bookshops.
7. I’d like to give you a bit of advice.
8. One of the guides will show you the way.
9. A few of the children missed the bus.
10. I like all fruit except bananas.

 

7. Complete the conversations. Make up your own dialogues.

 

1. Would you like __________ cheese and biscuits? – Oh, thank you. That was delicious, but I couldn’t eat __________ else.
2. There’s __________ at the door. – Are we expecting __________ visitors?
3. Has __________ offered to help you with tea? – No, but I’d be very grateful for __________ help you can give.
4. I was looking for __________, and now I can’t remember what it was. – You said you were looking for __________ matches.

 

8. Finish up sentences.

 

1. The seats aren’t reserved. You can take __________ you like.
2. I don’t mind what we do today. We can do __________ you want.
3. If it’s you party, you can invite __________ you like.
4. All the buses go into town centre. Take __________ that comes along here.
5. This carpet is available in lots of colours. You can have __________ you like.
6. My father has the television on all the time. He’ll watch __________.
7. It doesn’t matter which day you phone. Ring __________ you like.

 

9. Complete the following sentences.

 

1. __________ planning to travel abroad should take his driving license with him.
2. Is there __________ in the clothes basket?
3. I’ve never met __________ who is as obstinate as you?
4. I’ve prepared __________ for dinner that you like very much.
5. I know __________ who can help you.
6. Does __________ want a second helping?
7. Is there __________ here who can speak Chinese?
8. If __________ wants to know the answer, he can ask me.
9. Would you like __________ to drink?
10. That’s easy: __________ can do it.
11. I’m really hungry. I’ll eat __________.
12. Can I have __________ to eat? – Of course, take __________ you like.
13. __________ can sing if they really want to.
14. There isn’t __________ here who can help you.