The determiners Some and Any are often confused. These words are placed before count and non-count nouns. They express an indefinite number or quantity.
There are some children in the classroom.
NOTE: We aren’t talking about the exact number of children in the classroom.
I haven’t got any problems.
Tiffany has some relatives in Prague.
Uses of Determiners Some and Any
- Both determiners some and any are used with a singular and a plural noun.
Have you got any questions?
→ Any is used with the plural noun questions.
We haven’t got any money.
→ Any is used with the singular uncountable noun money.
- Remember to use some in an affirmative sentence with both countable and uncountable nouns.
I need some water.
There are some books on her desk.
All she needs is some time to think.
- On the other hand, we use any in a negative and an interrogative sentence.
They haven’t got any children.
Have you got any milk?
Exceptions
- Sometimes, some is used in making polite requests and offers.
Would you like some coffee?
→ This sentence sounds more natural than ‘Would you like any coffee?’
Could I have some salt and pepper, please?
→ This is a polite request.
Determiners Some and Any Exercise
Answer this exercise on determiners some and any.
1. Everyone makes ___ mistakes in life.
a. some
b. any
2. Could we have ___ bread?
a. some
b. any
3. Allison didn’t make ___ mistakes during her performance.
a. some
b. any
4. They have ___ money so they will buy a new computer.
a. some
b. any
5. Please go to the supermarket because we don’t have ___ milk anymore.
a. some
b. any
6. Has she got ___ questions?
a. some
b. any
7. Would he like ___ coffee?
a. some
b. any
8. They haven’t got ___ questions.
a. some
b. any
9. I don’t have ____ preference.
a. some
b. any.
10. I did not make ____ money helping my neighbor.
a. some
b. any
Find the answers to this exercise here.
See also: Quantifiers, Articles with Countable and Uncountable Nouns, and Some and Any (II).
For additional information on this topic, check out this English Club lesson.
For other English grammar lessons, go to this page.
One reply on “Determiners Some and Any”
Answer this exercise on determiners some and any.
1. Everyone makes some mistakes in life.
2. Could we have some bread?
3. Allison didn’t make any mistakes during her performance.
4. They have some money so they will buy a new computer.
5. Please go to the supermarket because we don’t have any milk anymore.
6. Has she got any questions?
7. Would he like some coffee?
8. They haven’t got any questions.
9. I don’t have any preference.
10. I did not make some money helping my neighbor.