ESL Inventory

Some or Any? Rules, Examples & Exercises

Some or any are quantifiers. We use them to talk about an unspecified quantity or number of something. They can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns, but they are usually used in different types of sentences.

Exercises on Some or Any – click here
Some or any infographic by ESL Inventory explaining the use of some in positive sentences and offers, and any in negative sentences and questions. Includes examples with sugar and everyday situations to help ESL learners understand English quantifiers and determiners.
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When to Use Some

We usually use some in affirmative (positive) sentences. It means a quantity or number that is not exact.

Examples with Countable Nouns

  • I have some friends in Canada.
  • She bought some apples.
  • We need some eggs for the recipe.
  • They invited some students to the event.
  • There are some books on the table.

Examples with Uncountable Nouns

  • I need some water.
  • We bought some milk.
  • She gave me some advice.
  • There is some coffee in the kitchen.
  • They have some information about the project.

We also often use some in offers and requests when we expect the answer to be “yes”. Check the examples below:

  • Would you like some tea?
  • Can I have some water, please?
  • Do you want some cake?

When to Use Any

We usually use any in negative sentences and questions.

Examples with Countable Nouns

  • I don’t have any brothers.
  • Are there any shops nearby?
  • She didn’t buy any apples.
  • Do you have any questions?
  • We can’t find any tickets.

Examples with Uncountable Nouns

  • There isn’t any milk left.
  • Do you have any information?
  • We don’t need any help.
  • Is there any coffee in the pot?
  • They didn’t give us any advice.

We can also use any in positive sentences when it means “it doesn’t matter which” or “no restriction”. Check the examples below:

  • You can choose any color.
  • Any student can join the club.
  • Come any time you like.

In this case, any is not a quantifier. It is just a determiner.

Quick Tip

Remember:

Some is usually used in positive sentences. Compare:

I have some money.
There are some cookies in the jar.
We bought some fruit.

Any is usually used in negative sentences and questions. Compare:

I don’t have any money.
Are there any cookies in the jar?
We didn’t buy any fruit.

Exercises on Some or Any

EXERCISE: Some or Any – Is it correct?

Decide if the sentences are correct or incorrect.

1 / 10

Decide if the sentence is correct:

There isn’t any milk in the fridge.

2 / 10

Decide if the sentence is correct:

We don’t have some bread.

3 / 10

Decide if the sentence is correct:

Would you like some coffee?

4 / 10

Decide if the sentence is correct:

She bought any new shoes yesterday.

5 / 10

Decide if the sentence is correct:

He doesn’t want some tea.

6 / 10

Decide if the sentence is correct:

I have some apples in my bag.

7 / 10

Decide if the sentence is correct:

I need some paper for the printer.

8 / 10

Decide if the sentence is correct:

Are there any bananas in the kitchen?

9 / 10

Decide if the sentence is correct:

Did you see some people outside?

10 / 10

Decide if the sentence is correct:

Do we have any wine?

Your score is

0%

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EXERCISE: Some or Any – Complete the sentence

Complete the sentence with the correct word:

1 / 10

We don’t have ___ cheese.

2 / 10

Can I have ___ sugar, please?

3 / 10

She needs ___ help with her homework.

4 / 10

I bought ___ oranges at the market.

5 / 10

They have ___ interesting books.

6 / 10

Would you like ___ water?

7 / 10

There aren’t ___ clean glasses.

8 / 10

Are there ___ eggs in the fridge?

9 / 10

I didn’t see ___ cars in the street.

10 / 10

Do you have ___ questions?

Your score is

0%

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