Unit 85: Some and any

English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 85: Some and any

In general we use some (also somebody/someone/something) in positive sentences and any (also anybody etc.) in negative sentences:

some	any
We bought some flowers.	We didn't buy any flowers.
He's busy. He's got some work to do.	He's lazy. He never does any work.
There's somebody at the door.	There isn't anybody at the door.
I want something to eat.	I don't want anything to eat.

We use any in the following sentences because the meaning is negative:

She went out without any money. (she didn't take any money with her)
He refused to eat anything. (he didn't eat anything)
It's a very easy exam. Hardly anybody fails. (= almost nobody fails)

We use both some and any in questions. We use some/somebody/something to talk about a person or thing that we know exists, or we think exists:

Are you waiting for somebody? (I think you are waiting for somebody)

We use some in questions when we offer or ask for things:

Would you like something to eat? (there is something to eat)
Can I have some sugar, please? (there is probably some sugar I can have)

But in most questions, we use any. We do not know if the thing or person exists:

'Do you have any luggage?' 'No, I don't.'
I can't find my bag. Has anybody seen it?

We often use any after if:

If anyone has any questions, I'll be pleased to answer them.
Let me know if you need anything.

The following sentences have the idea of if:

I'm sorry for any trouble I've caused. (= if I have caused any trouble)
Anyone who wants to do the exam should tell me by Friday. (= if there is anyone)

We also use any with the meaning 'it doesn't matter which':

You can take any bus. They all go to the centre. (= it doesn't matter which bus you take)
'Sing a song.' 'Which song shall I sing?' 'Any song. I don't mind.' (= it doesn't matter which song)
Come and see me any time you want.

We use anybody/anyone/anything/anywhere in the same way:

We forgot to lock the door. Anybody could have come in.
'Let's go out somewhere.' 'Where shall we go?' 'Anywhere. I just want to go out.'

Compare something and anything:

A: I'm hungry. I want something to eat.
B: What would you like?
A: I don't mind . Anything. (= it doesn't matter what)

Somebody/someone/anybody/anyone are singular words:

Someone is here to see you.

But we use they/them/their after these words:

Someone has forgotten their umbrella. (= his or her umbrella)
If anybody wants to leave early, they can. (= he or she can)

85.1 Put in some or any.

We didn't buy ⁽¹⁾ flowers.
Tonight I'm going out with ⁽²⁾ __________ friends of mine.
A: Have you seen ⁽³⁾ __________ good movies recently?
B: No, I haven't been to the cinema for ages.
I didn't have ⁽⁴⁾ __________ money, so I had to borrow ⁽⁵⁾ __________ .
Can I have ⁽⁶⁾ __________ milk in my coffee, please?
We wanted to buy ⁽⁷⁾ __________ grapes, but they didn't have ⁽⁸⁾ __________ in the shop.
He did everything himself - without ⁽⁹⁾ __________ help.
You can use this card to withdraw money at ⁽¹⁰⁾ __________ cash machine.
I'd like ⁽¹¹⁾ __________ information about places of interest in the town.
With the special tourist train ticket, you can travel on ⁽¹²⁾ __________ train you like.
Those apples look nice. Shall we buy ⁽¹³⁾ __________ ?

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

I was too surprised to say ⁽¹⁾ .
There's ⁽²⁾ __________ at the door. Can you go and see who it is?
Does ⁽³⁾ __________ mind if I open the window?
I wasn't feeling hungry, so I didn't eat ⁽⁴⁾ __________ .
You must be hungry. Why don't I get you ⁽⁵⁾ __________ to eat?
Quick, let's go! There's ⁽⁶⁾ __________ coming and I don't want ⁽⁷⁾ __________ to see us.
Sarah was upset about ⁽⁸⁾ __________ and refused to talk to ⁽⁹⁾ __________ .
This machine is very easy to use. ⁽¹⁰⁾ __________ can learn to use it very quickly.
There was hardly ⁽¹¹⁾ __________ on the beach. It was almost deserted.
'Do you live ⁽¹²⁾ __________ near Joe?' 'No, he lives in another part of town.'
'Where shall we go on holiday?' 'Let's go ⁽¹³⁾ __________ warm and sunny.'
They stay at home all the time. They never seem to go ⁽¹⁴⁾ __________ .
I'm going to a meeting now. If ⁽¹⁵⁾ __________ needs me, tell them I'll be back at 11.30.
Why are you looking under the bed? Have you lost ⁽¹⁶⁾ __________ ?
This is a no-parking area. ⁽¹⁷⁾ __________ who parks here will have to pay a fine.
Jonathan stood up and left the room without saying ⁽¹⁸⁾ __________ .
'Can I ask you ⁽¹⁹⁾ __________ ?' 'Sure. What do you want to ask?'
Sue is very secretive. She never tells ⁽²⁰⁾ __________ . (2 words)

85.3 Complete the sentences. Use any (+ noun) or anybody/anything/anywhere.

Which bus do I have to catch? Any bus. They all go to the centre.
Which day shall I come? I don't mind. __________ .
What do you want to eat? __________ . I don't mind. Whatever you have.
Where shall I sit? It's up to you. You can sit __________ you like.
What sort of job are you looking for? __________ . It doesn't matter.
What time shall I call you tomorrow? __________ . Leave a message if I don't answer and I'll get back to you.
Who shall I invite to the party? I don't mind. __________ you like.
Which newspaper shall I buy? __________ . See what they have in the shop.

Answer Key

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