some & any
Positive, negative, questions and offers.
The rules
- Positive statements take "some": "some letters".
- Negatives take "any": "don't have any milk". ("No milk" would drop the "don't".)
- Offers and requests expecting "yes" use "some" even in question form.
- "Any" in a positive sentence = "it doesn't matter which".
- Open questions take "any": "Is there any sugar?"
- One negative only: "didn't see anything", not the double negative "didn't see nothing".
Examples
- There are some letters for you on the desk.
- We don't have any milk left.
- Would you like some coffee?
- You can take any bus, they all go to the centre.
- Is there any sugar left.
- I didn't see anything.
Quick check
Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1.There are _____ letters for you on the desk.
2.We don't have _____ milk left.
3.Which offer is most natural?
4.You can take _____ bus, they all go to the centre.
5.Which sentence is correct?