English Reference

00 / Grammar and structure

some vs any

Some indicates a positive existence or specific quantity, while any indicates an open-ended or non-existent quantity in negatives and questions.

01 / Side by side

  • some

    A certain but unspecified quantity.

    I need to buy some fresh vegetables for the dinner party tonight.

  • any

    One, some, or all; used for negatives.

    The store does not have any milk left on the shelves.

02 / Watch out

  • Wrong: I do not have some money to lend you right now.Right: I do not have any money to lend you right now.

  • Wrong: Are there some students waiting outside the classroom?Right: Are there any students waiting outside the classroom?

03 / Remember

Some for 'Yes'; Any for 'No' or 'Maybe'.

04 / Quick check

Fill the gap with one of the two options.

  1. 1.

    There are electric cars parked near the city center charging stations right now.

  2. 2.

    Our remote team does not have meetings scheduled during the international football championship final.

  3. 3.

    Would you like coffee while you wait for the manager?

  4. 4.

    The fitness app suggests new workouts based on your performance data from last week.

  5. 5.

    Do you have idea what time the next train arrives?

05 / More like this

All Grammar and structure sets →