Grammar › Nouns & Determiners › Some & Any
Some & Any
The basic split between some and any:
- some — positive sentences, and offers/requests (I've got some; Would you like some?).
- any — negatives and most questions (I haven't got any; Is there any?).
Compounds work the same way: someone/anyone, something/anything, somewhere/anywhere.
some vs any
| Sentence type | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | some | I have some money. |
| Negative | any | I don’t have any money. |
| Question (normal) | any | Do you have any money? |
| Offer / request | some | Would you like some coffee? |
| ”It doesn’t matter which” | any | Take any seat. |
Both go with plural countable and uncountable nouns.
When to use each
1. some — positive sentences
- There’s some milk in the fridge. I bought some apples.
2. any — negatives and questions
- We don’t have any sugar. Are there any tickets left?
3. some in offers and requests
- Would you like some cake? Can I have some water?
⚠️ ‘Any’ in a positive sentence means it doesn’t matter which: You can call me at any time.
Common mistakes
1. ‘any’ in a positive sentence (normal meaning). I have any questions → I have some questions.
2. ‘some’ in a negative. I don’t have some time → I don’t have any time.
3. ‘any’ in an offer. Would you like any tea? → Would you like some tea? Pro tip: positive/offer → some; negative/question → any.
✏️ Practice: Some & Any
1. There's ___ milk in the fridge.
2. I don't have ___ money.
3. Would you like ___ tea?
4. Are there ___ tickets left?
5. Can I have ___ water, please?
6. I saw ___ at the door but I'm not sure who.
7. We didn't buy ___ at the shop.
8. You can sit in ___ seat — they're all free.
9. Correct this: 'Would you like any biscuits?'
10. Which sentence type uses 'some'?
Frequently asked questions
When do I use some and when any?
'Some' in positive sentences and in offers/requests; 'any' in negatives and most questions: I have some bread; I don't have any bread; Do you have any bread?
Why is it 'Would you like some coffee?' not 'any'?
Offers and requests use 'some' even though they are questions, because you expect a positive answer: Would you like some help? Can I have some water?
Can 'any' be used in a positive sentence?
Yes, meaning 'it doesn't matter which': Any student can join; Take any seat you like.
What about someone, anything, anywhere?
The compounds follow the same rule: I saw someone (positive); I didn't see anyone (negative); Did you see anyone? (question).
👩🏫 For teachers
CEFR objectives for “Some & Any”:
- Can use 'some' in positives and offers/requests, and 'any' in negatives and questions (CEFR A2).
- Can apply the rule to compounds (someone/anyone, something/anything).
- Can recognise 'any' meaning 'it doesn't matter which'.
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