subject + verb + some + plural noun / uncountable nounUse some in positive statements with plural nouns or uncountable nouns.
Some and Any
A1Use some in affirmative sentences. Use any in negatives and most questions, but use some in offers and requests.
What you'll learn
- Choose some in affirmative sentences.
- Choose any in negative sentences.
- Choose any in neutral yes/no questions.
- Choose some in offers and polite requests.
- Use some and any with plural or uncountable nouns.
Structure
subject + auxiliary + not + verb + any + plural noun / uncountable nounUse any in negative sentences. The negative marker is not, not any.
auxiliary + subject + verb + any + plural noun / uncountable noun + ?Use any in neutral yes/no questions about things, people, food, time, or money.
Would you like / Can I have + some + noun ?In offers and polite requests, some sounds natural because the speaker expects a positive result.
Build a sentence
Subject
Noun phrase
Ihavesomeapples
I have some apples.
In affirmative sentences, choose some.
When to use
Positive statements
Use some when you say that a number or amount exists. Lisa bought some apples. We need some sugar.
Negative statements
Use any after don't, doesn't, didn't, isn't, aren't, and similar negatives. Tom doesn't have any cash.
Questions
Use any in neutral questions about existence or availability. Do we have any bread? Is there any coffee?
Offers and requests
Use some in questions when you offer or ask for something politely. Would you like some tea? Can I have some water?
Markers
Would you like ...?Can I have ...?Do you have ...?We don't have ...There isn't ...
Common mistakes
Wrong
I bought any apples.
Correct
I bought some apples.
In a regular affirmative sentence, use some, not any.
Wrong
We don't need some sugar.
Correct
We don't need any sugar.
Negative sentences take any, not some.
Wrong
Do you have some friends here?
Correct
Do you have any friends here?
Use any in a neutral yes/no question. Some changes the question into an offer, request, or expected yes.
Wrong
She has some book in her bag.
Correct
She has some books in her bag.
Use some with plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns, not with one singular countable noun.
Wrong
Would you like any tea?
Correct
Would you like some tea?
Offers and polite requests normally use some because the speaker expects or invites a positive answer.
Common misconceptions
❝ Any is the question word, so every question needs any. ❞
Many questions use any, but offers and polite requests often use some: Would you like some cake? Can I have some water?
❝ Some can go before any noun, including one singular thing. ❞
Use some with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns. With one singular countable noun, use a/an: a book, not some book.
Skills in this rule (5)
USE_SOME_IN_AFFIRMATIVESw5Use some in affirmative sentences
Use some before plural nouns and uncountable nouns in positive statements when the exact number or amount is not important.
USE_ANY_IN_NEGATIVESw5Use any in negative sentences
Use any in negative sentences with plural nouns and uncountable nouns. The negative meaning comes from not; any stays neutral.
USE_ANY_IN_QUESTIONSw5Use any in questions
Use any in yes/no questions when you ask if something exists, is available, or is possible.
USE_SOME_IN_OFFERS_AND_REQUESTSw4Use some in offers and requests
Use some in questions when you expect yes or when you offer or ask for something politely.
CHOOSE_COUNTABLE_OR_UNCOUNTABLE_NOUNw4Use some and any with plural nouns and uncountable nouns
Use some and any before plural countable nouns like apples and before uncountable nouns like water. Do not use them before singular countable nouns.