Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 76 · A1

some and any

Use some in positive sentences and any in negative sentences and most questions. Offers and requests take some. The same pattern runs through something, somebody, anything and anybody.

Start the lesson

17Steps · about 31 minutes

In this lesson

some in positive sentences, any in negative sentencesA6 screens of questions
any and some in questionsB1 screen of questions
some and any without a nounC1 screen of questions
something / somebody and anything / anybodyD3 screens of questions

Point A of 4

some in positive sentences, any in negative sentences

positive: some negative: any
I've got some money. I haven't got any money.

The noun after some and any is plural (some eggs) or uncountable (some milk).

  • I'm going to buy some potatoes.
  • There's some cheese in the fridge.
  • We sang some songs on the coach.
  • I'm not going to buy any potatoes.
  • There isn't any milk left.
  • We didn't sing any songs. Everybody was asleep.

Point A · Exercise 76.1 · part 1 of 3

Put in some or any.

  1. Example

    I bought some apples but I didn't buy any pears.

    AnswerI bought some apples but I didn't buy any pears.

  2. I'm going to the chemist. I need plasters.

  3. There aren't cafés in this village.

  4. Rob and Jen haven't got pets.

  5. Have you got cousins in Scotland?

Point A · Exercise 76.1 · part 2 of 3

Put in some or any.

  1. There are lovely old houses on this street.

  2. Do you know good restaurants in Leeds?

  3. "Would you like cake?" "Yes, please."

  4. When we were in Wales, we climbed really big hills.

Point A · Exercise 76.1 · part 3 of 3

Put in some or any.

  1. Don't buy eggs. We don't need .

  2. I went out to buy bread but they didn't have in the bakery.

  3. I'm hungry. Can I have toast, please?

Point A · Exercise 76.2 · part 1 of 3

Complete the sentences. Use some or any with one of the words in the box.

Use these

batteriescousinsemailsfishflourhelpjokespresentssoupsugar

  1. Example

    I want to make a cake. Is there any flour?

    AnswerI want to make a cake. Is there any flour?

  2. This afternoon I'm going to send .

  3. I haven't got my wallet, so I can't buy .

  4. Do you know good ?

  5. Last weekend I went camping with of mine.

Point A · Exercise 76.2 · part 2 of 3

Complete the sentences. Use some or any with one of the words in the box.

Use these

batteriescousinsemailsfishflourhelpjokespresentssoupsugar

  1. Can I have in my tea, please?

  2. The remote control isn't working. There aren't in it.

  3. I'm going to the market to buy fresh .

  4. "Would you like ?" "No, thanks. I'm full."

Point A · Exercise 76.2 · part 3 of 3

Complete the sentences. Use some or any with one of the words in the box.

Use these

batteriescousinsemailsfishflourhelpjokespresentssoupsugar

  1. I can carry these bags myself. I don't need .

Point B of 4

any and some in questions

In most questions we use any.

We normally use some, not any, when we offer things (Would you like ...?) or ask for things (Can I have ...? Could you lend me ...?). Here we expect the answer yes, and we are probably right.

  • Is there any bread?
  • Have they got any children?
  • Do you need any help with that?
  • A: Would you like some cake? B: Yes, please.
  • A: Can I have some more gravy, please? B: Of course. Help yourself.
  • A: Could you lend me some money? B: How much do you need?

Point B · Exercise 76.3

Complete the sentences with some or any, using the words in brackets.

  1. Example

    Kieran didn't bring any sandwiches, but I brought some. (I / bring)

    AnswerKieran didn't bring any sandwiches, but I brought some.

  2. Example

    "Where are your sunglasses?" "I haven't got any." (I / not / have)

    Answer"Where are your sunglasses?" "I haven't got any."

  3. "Do you need any stamps?" "No, thank you. ." (I / have)

  4. "Can you lend me some paper?" "I'm sorry, but ." (I / not / have)

  5. The bananas at the market looked old, so . (I / not / buy)

  6. There were some lovely strawberries at the market, so . (I / buy)

Point C of 4

some and any without a noun

When the noun is clear, we can leave it out and use some or any on their own.

  • I didn't buy any postcards, but Gemma bought some. (= some postcards)
  • You can have some chips if you like. I don't want any. (= any chips)
  • I've just made some tea. Would you like some? (= some tea)
  • "Where's your homework?" "I haven't got any." (= any homework)
  • "Are there any plasters?" "Yes, there are some in the bathroom." (= some plasters)

Point C · Extra practice

Put in some or any. There is no noun after it.

  1. I've made some soup. Would you like ?

  2. I wanted chips, but there weren't .

  3. We need milk. Can you get on your way home?

Point D of 4

something / somebody and anything / anybody

The same rule applies to these words.

some- any-
something anything
somebody (or someone) anybody (or anyone)

Use something and somebody in positive sentences, offers and requests. Use anything and anybody in negatives and most questions.

  • He said something, but I didn't hear it.
  • I saw somebody in the garden.
  • Would you like something to drink?
  • Quick! Somebody's knocking on the door.
  • He didn't say anything.
  • I didn't see anybody (or anyone).
  • Are you doing anything on Saturday?
  • Where's Callum? Has anybody seen him?

Point D · Exercise 76.4 · part 1 of 3

Put in something, somebody, anything or anybody.

  1. Example

    He whispered something to me, but I couldn't hear it.

    AnswerHe whispered something to me, but I couldn't hear it.

  2. "Why are you limping?" "There's in my shoe."

  3. Do you know about cars?

  4. I looked in the fridge, but I didn't find .

  5. has eaten my sandwich. I don't know who.

Point D · Exercise 76.4 · part 2 of 3

Put in something, somebody, anything or anybody.

  1. There isn't in the box. It's empty.

  2. I'm looking for my glasses. Has seen them?

  3. Would you like to eat?

  4. I didn't say because I was nervous.

Point D · Exercise 76.4 · part 3 of 3

Put in something, somebody, anything or anybody.

  1. It's a surprise party. Please don't tell .

Lesson 76 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: not + any, no, noneBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. some in positive sentences, any in negative sentences–Not checkedB. any and some in questions–Not checkedC. some and any without a noun–Not checkedD. something / somebody and anything / anybody–Not checked