Some vs. Any
Any and some can be synonymous; that is, they may have the same meaning. Both may be used in affirmative or negative questions:
Examples: Will you have any?
Will you have some?
Won’t you have any?
Won’t you have some?
However, use some, not any, for affirmative statements and answers.
Correct Example: You may have some. Yes, I’d like some.
Incorrect Example: You may have any.
For negative statements and answers, use any.
Correct Examples: I don’t care for any apple pie.
I can’t have any pets in my apartment.
Incorrect Examples: I don’t care for some apple pie.
I can’t have some pets in my apartment.
Note that it would be fine to leave out any in the above examples entirely.
Examples: I don’t care for apple pie.
I can’t have pets in my apartment.
Make sure you don’t use no when you mean any or you will have what is called a double negative.
Incorrect Example: I don’t want no apple pie.
Quiz
Which of the following sentences are correct?
1. Would you like some ice cream with your chocolate cake?
2. Would you like any ice cream with your chocolate cake?
3. I would like any ice cream with my chocolate cake.
4. I don’t care for some ice cream with my chocolate cake.
5. I don’t care for ice cream with my chocolate cake.
6. I don’t care for any ice cream with my chocolate cake.
7. I don’t want no ice cream with my chocolate cake.
Answers
1. Correct
2. Correct
3. Incorrect
4. Incorrect
5. Correct
6. Correct
7. Incorrect
March 2, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Jane – this is just a general comment and not specific to this particular topic. Your regular e-mails are an absolute tonic and to discover this blog where you actually take the time and trouble to comment on the postings that your fans make is fantastic.
My BIG bug-bear in life is coping with the difference between American and UK spellings. You colonials should be using the UK spellings
…….erm, that was just meant as a joke folks, so no hate mail ;-D
March 2, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Thank you, Alison, for your acknowledgment. Oops, I mean acknowledgement! (UK spelling)
March 18, 2007 at 12:43 am
Is it honor or honour (UK spelling)? (LOL)
April 2, 2007 at 1:33 am
What is the right way to ask: do you have any questions? or do you have some questions? Or may be both are right? Thanks
April 2, 2007 at 3:28 am
Both are correct.
April 17, 2007 at 8:05 am
is it correct to say. Will start on January 12 TO May 12
what is the difference between from and on?
April 17, 2007 at 4:29 pm
When you say, “will start on January 12,” you don’t use “to” after. You could say, “will begin on January 12 and end on May 12″ or “will start on January 12 and end on May 12 or “will work from January 12 to May 12.”
May 17, 2007 at 10:59 am
Can we say “will start (or commence) from 12 Jan to 12 May.
May 18, 2007 at 12:21 am
You can say “will start or commence on January 12 and end on May 12.”