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some

adj.
A1 Beginner Oxford US //ˈsəm// UK //sˈʌm// some Archaic Dialect General-service Informal

adj. an amount or number of something when you do not know exactly how much or how many. You use it in positive sentences to talk about a part of a group.

adj. an unspecified amount or number of something. Used primarily in affirmative clauses to indicate a portion of a whole or a subset of a group.


SIMPLE

I need to buy some milk at the store.

CONTEXTUAL

We have some extra chairs in the back room if more guests arrive for the presentation.

COMPLEX

While the report highlights several systemic failures, it also acknowledges that some progress has been made in reducing carbon emissions over the last fiscal year.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English som, sum, from Old English sum (“some, a certain one”), from Proto-West Germanic sum, from Proto-Germanic sumaz (“some, a certain one”), from Proto-Indo-European *sem- (“one, whole”). Cognate Scots sum, some (“some”), North Frisian som, sam, säm (“some”), West Frisian sommige, somlike (“some”), dialectal Dutch som, saom (“some”), standard Dutch sommige (“some”), Low German somige (“some”), German dialectal summige (“some”), Danish somme (“some”), Swedish somlig (“some”), Norwegian sum, som (“some”), Icelandic sumur (“some”), Gothic 𐍃𐌿𐌼𐍃 (sums, “one, someone”). More at same.

Usage

Typically used in affirmative sentences; in questions and negatives, 'any' is usually preferred unless offering or requesting something.

Pitfall

I don't have some money.I don't have any money.In negative sentences, 'any' is used instead of 'some' to indicate a zero quantity.

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