Page 135 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

S o m e a n d a n y ; s o m e t h i n g , s o m e b o d y , e t c .
somebody,
any;
etc.
Some
something,
and
A Some and any: general
Some and any: general
are talking about
and
usually when we
Some
used with plural
and uncountable nouns,
any are
Sf 9 Some and any are used with plural and uncountable nouns, usually when we are talking about
numbers
or
unknown
amounts
uncertain
or
of things:
* * unknown or uncertain amounts or numbers of things:

is
used...
any is used...
some is used... any is used...
some

affirmative
(sentences which
sentences
in sentences with a negative meaning
• ¢ in in affirmative sentences (sentences which • * in sentences with a negative meaning
are not negatives or questions) (including words such as not (...n't);
are not negatives or questions)
(including words such as not (...n’t);
She had some doubts about the decision. barely, hardly, never, rarely, scarcely,
• ¢ She had some doubts about the decision. barely, hardly, never, rarely, scarcely,
building the wall. seldom; deny, fail, forbid, prohibit;
• ¢ I had some trouble building the wall. seldom; deny, fail, forbid, prohibit;
Thad some trouble
in questions where we expect agreement impossible, unlikely)
• * in questions where we expect agreement impossible, unlikely)
or the answer 'Yes' • « We haven't got any butter left.
or the answer 'Yes'
We haven't got any butter left.
some get out.
Didn't John's parents give him some
It was impossible for any air to to get out.
• ¢ Didn't John's parents give him • ¢ It was impossible for any air
(= I think/expect they did) other questions
money?
money? (= I think/expect they did) • * • ¢ in in other questions
some discussion
Do you have any better ideas?

Hasn't there been
• ¢
Hasn't there been some discussion
Do you have any better ideas?
(= I think/expect
Has there been any discussion about the
about the proposal? (= I think/expect
• ¢
about the proposal?
Has there been any discussion about the
there has)
yet?
proposal
proposal yet?
there has)
or thing without mentioning
a
particular person
used
be
about
any can
also
and
to talk
Some and any can also be used to talk about a particular person or thing without mentioning
Some
them specifically. When some is used in this way it is pronounced /sam/:
them specifically. When some is used in this way it is pronounced /SAITI/:
There must be some way I can contact Jo. (= There must be a way, but I don't know it.)
• ¢ There must be some way I can contact Jo. (= There must be a way, but I don't know it.)
(= There must be a
here that will give me the information I want?
book
Isn't there any book
• ¢ Isn't there any book here that will give me the information I want? (= There must be a book
like this, but I can't find out what / where it is.)
like this, but I can't find out what / where it is.)
1
D Some and any: details
Some and any: details

used...
is
any is used...
some
some is used... any is used...

a
large amount of or
when we mean quite
(of them),
'all
and it's
when we mean
• ¢ when we mean quite a large amount of or • * when we mean 'all (of them), and it's
large number of something: not important which':
large number of something:
not important which':
(/sAm/)
Any of the students could have
The talks went on at some
• ¢ The talks went on at some (/sam/) • « Any of the students could have
('Some of the
length. (= a long time) answered the question. (‘Some of the
answered the question.
length. (= a long time)
when we mean 'not all' (see Unit 59): ...' here would mean 'some,
students ...' here would mean 'some,
• ¢« when we mean 'not all’ (see Unit 59): students
(/sAm/) people don't like tea.
• * Some (/sam/) people don't like tea. but not all')
Some
but not all’)
to
'If there
when
sound
any means
offers and requests
is/are any':
in order
• ¢ in in offers and requests in order to sound • ¢ when any means 'Tf there is/are any':
be sent to the
positive, expecting the answer 'Yes': • « Any questions should be sent to the
positive, expecting the answer 'Yes':
Any questions should
(/sam/) details? (= If there are questions...)
manager.
Shall I send you some
• ¢ Shall I send you some (/sam/) details? manager. (= If there are questions...)
in 'if
buy some
clauses:
(/sam/)
rice in town?
Can you
• ¢ Can you buy some (/sam/) rice in town? • * • ¢ commonly in 'if clauses: let me
commonly

Ifyou have any problems,
If you have any problems, let me
^ The use of these words is generally the same as that of some and any described in A and B.
know, ('some' is possible, but is more
know. (‘some' is possible, but is more
expecting problems)
positive, expecting problems)
positive,
any:
of compound words
begin with
some and
(or somebody/
someone/anyone
A number
A number of compound words begin with some and any: someone/anyone (or somebody/
and
something/anything,
somewhere/anywhere:
anybody), something/anything, and somewhere/anywhere:
anybody),
I thought I heard someone knocking at the door.
• ¢
[thought I heard someone knocking at the door.
Is there anyone at home?
Is there anyone at home?
• «
any described
as that of some and
of these words
same
is generally the
A and B.
in
use
@ The
use
with
that we
a
singular
verb
Notice
them:
• * Notice that we use a singular verb with them:
(not If anybody call...)
tell them I'm not at home,
Ifanybody calls,
• ¢
If anybody calls, tell them I'm not at home. (not If anybody call...)
Some of and any of =
Not any
Some and zero article =
Someandzan IEE]
=
fi
aride
Notany=—y
Soreofadanyot=>