Some and any

What you'll learn

Use some and any to talk about an amount or number that is not exact.

• some milk
• some apples
• any bread
• any questions

Start with these examples

• There is some milk in the fridge.
• We have some apples.
• Are there any eggs?
• We haven't got any bread.

The main rule

Use some in most affirmative sentences.

• I have some friends in Madrid.
• She needs some water.

Use any in most questions and negative sentences.

• Do you have any brothers?
• There isn't any coffee.
• Are there any buses now?

Some in offers and requests

Use some when you offer or ask for something and expect the answer to be yes.

• Would you like some tea?
• Can I have some water, please?

Use with plural and uncountable nouns

• some books
• any chairs
• some rice
• any milk

Do not use some/any with a singular countable noun when you mean one item.

• some book ✗ → a book

Common mistakes

• There are any apples. → There are some apples.
• Is there some milk? → Is there any milk?
• We don't have some bread. → We don't have any bread.
• I need any pen. → I need a pen.

Quick check

• There is ___ water. → some
• Have you got ___ brothers? → any
• Would you like ___ coffee? → some

Next step

Learn the difference between countable and uncountable nouns.