Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 85 · B1

some and any

Some in positive sentences, any in negative ones and after if; some in questions that offer, ask for, or assume something exists; any for it doesn't matter which; and they after somebody and anybody.

Start the lesson

20Steps · about 35 minutes

In this lesson

some in positives, any in negativesA1 screen of questions
some and any in questionsB1 screen of questions
if + anyC1 screen of questions
any: it doesn't matter whichD2 screens of questions
somebody, anybody: singular, then theyE5 screens of questions
Put it together+3 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 5

some in positives, any in negatives

Generally, some (somebody, someone, something) goes in positive sentences and any (anybody and so on) in negative ones.

Any also follows words with a negative meaning: without, refuse, hardly.

  • We bought some tulips. We didn't buy any tulips.
  • He's busy. He's got some work to finish. He's idle. He never does any work.
  • There's someone on the phone for you. There isn't anyone on the phone.
  • I fancy something sweet. I don't fancy anything sweet.
  • She went out without any money.
  • He refused to eat anything.
  • It's an easy test. Hardly anybody fails.

Point A · Extra practice

Put in some or any, or a word that begins with some- or any-.

  1. We bought flowers for Gran.

  2. There isn't milk in the fridge.

  3. She went out without money.

Point B of 5

some and any in questions

Use some in questions when you know, or think, the thing or person exists, and when you offer or ask for things.

In most other questions use any: you do not know whether it exists.

  • Are you looking for someone? (I think you are)
  • Can I have some milk, please?
  • Would you like something to eat?
  • Have you got any luggage? (maybe, maybe not)
  • Is there anybody in the house?

Point B · Extra practice

Put in some or any.

  1. Can I have water, please?

  2. Would you like cake?

  3. Have you got brothers or sisters?

Point C of 5

if + any

Use any after if, and in sentences with the idea of if.

  • Give me a shout if you need anything.
  • If anyone has any doubts, please come and talk to me.
  • Apologies for any inconvenience. (if there has been any)
  • The council would like to hear from anyone who uses the bus route.

Point C · Extra practice

Put in any, anything or anybody.

  1. Give me a shout if you need .

  2. If rings, tell them I'm out.

  3. We apologise for delay.

Point D of 5

any: it doesn't matter which

Any can mean it doesn't matter which. Anybody, anything and anywhere work the same way.

  • You can get any bus. They all go into town.
  • Come round any time you like.
  • We left the back gate open. Anyone could have wandered in.
  • "I'm starving. I want something to eat." "What do you fancy?" "I don't mind. Anything."
  • "Let's go out somewhere." "Where?" "Anywhere. I just need to get out."

Point D · Exercise 85.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the answers with any (+ noun) or anybody, anything, anywhere.

  1. Example

    Which bus do I need? Any bus. They all go into town.

    AnswerWhich bus do I need? Any bus. They all go into town.

  2. When's best for you to come round? Honestly, it doesn't matter. this week is fine.

  3. What would you like on your pizza? . I'm not fussy.

  4. Who should I ask to be my bridesmaid? It's your wedding. Ask you want.

  5. What sort of job are you after? . It doesn't matter what it is.

Point D · Exercise 85.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the answers with any (+ noun) or anybody, anything, anywhere.

  1. Which table do you want? Wherever you like. Sit you want.

  2. Is this coffee machine hard to use? No, it's simple. can learn it in two minutes.

Point E of 5

somebody, anybody: singular, then they

Somebody, someone, anybody, anyone are singular, but we use they, them, their after them.

  • Someone is here to see you.
  • Someone has left their umbrella behind.
  • If anyone needs a lift home, they can come with me.

Point E · Exercise 85.2 · part 1 of 5

Complete the sentences with some- or any- + -body, -thing or -where.

  1. Example

    I was too shocked to say anything.

    AnswerI was too shocked to say anything.

  2. There's at the door. Can you see who it is?

  3. Would mind if I turned the heating up?

  4. I've never had a garden, so I don't know about plants.

  5. You must be starving. Let me get you to eat.

Point E · Exercise 85.2 · part 2 of 5

Complete the sentences with some- or any- + -body, -thing or -where.

  1. Gwen is very easy-going. She never complains about .

  2. There was hardly in the cinema. We had the place to ourselves.

  3. Let's get away. Let's go warm and sunny.

  4. I'm going out. If asks where I am, say you don't know.

Point E · Exercise 85.2 · part 3 of 5

Complete the sentences with some- or any- + -body, -thing or -where.

  1. Why are you looking under the sofa? Have you lost ?

  2. This is a no-parking zone. who parks here will be fined.

  3. Hide! There's at the door and I don't want to know we're in.

  4. They're real homebodies. They hardly ever go .

Point E · Exercise 85.2 · part 4 of 5

Complete the sentences with some- or any- + -body, -thing or -where.

  1. Jonathan got up and walked out without saying .

  2. "Can I ask you ?" "Course. What is it?"

  3. Max was angry about and wouldn't speak to .

  4. I need translated. Is there here who speaks Polish?

Point E · Exercise 85.2 · part 5 of 5

Complete the sentences with some- or any- + -body, -thing or -where.

  1. My brother keeps everything to himself. He never tells .

Put it together · Exercise 85.1 · part 1 of 3

Put in some or any.

  1. Example

    We didn't buy any tulips.

    AnswerWe didn't buy any tulips.

  2. Tonight I'm going out with friends from work.

  3. Have you seen good films lately?

  4. I'd like information about walks in the area.

  5. There wasn't milk in the fridge, so I had to buy .

Put it together · Exercise 85.1 · part 2 of 3

Put in some or any.

  1. You can use your card to take out cash at cashpoint.

  2. Those strawberries look lovely. Shall we get ?

  3. With a day rover ticket, you can travel on bus you like.

  4. "Can I have more tea, please?" "Of course. Help yourself."

Put it together · Exercise 85.1 · part 3 of 3

Put in some or any.

  1. If there are words you don't know, look them up.

  2. We wanted cherries, but they didn't have at the market.

Lesson 85 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: no/none/any nothing/nobody etc.Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. some in positives, any in negatives–Not checkedB. some and any in questions–Not checkedC. if + any–Not checkedD. any: it doesn't matter which–Not checkedE. somebody, anybody: singular, then they–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked