Some vs Any: When to Use Each

Quick Answer: Use some in positive sentences ("I have some friends here") and in offers and requests ("Would you like some cake?"). Use any in negatives and most questions: "I don't have any friends here." "Do you have any friends here?" Both go with plural countable and uncountable nouns.

Key takeaways

• Positive: some (There are some eggs). Negative and question: any (There aren't any eggs. Are there any eggs?).
• Offers and requests use some because we expect yes: "Would you like some tea?"
• Any in a positive sentence means no matter which: "Call me any time."
• Not any equals no, but never use both together: "I have no brothers," not "I don't have no brothers."
• The same rules apply to compounds: someone, anything, nowhere.
• Use a or an, not some, with a singular countable noun: "a banana," not "some banana."

What Is the Basic Rule for Some and Any?

Sentence type	Word	Example
Positive	some	There are some eggs in the fridge.
Negative	any	There aren't any eggs in the fridge.
Question	any	Are there any eggs in the fridge?

Both words go with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns:

• some apples, any apples (plural countable)
• some milk, any milk (uncountable)

We do not normally use some or any with a singular countable noun in this meaning. Say "a banana," not "some banana." If you are unsure which nouns are countable, read countable and uncountable nouns.

Some in Positive Sentences

Some means an amount that is not exact, usually not very large.

• I bought some vegetables at the market.
• She needs some help with her homework.
• We met some interesting people at the party.

In speech, some is often weak and short, almost like "sm." Do not stress it unless you want to contrast: "Some people liked the film, but others didn't."

Any in Negatives and Questions

• I don't have any money.
• There isn't any coffee left.
• Do you have any questions?
• Is there any sugar?

Words like never, without, hardly and no also have a negative meaning, so they take any:

• He never gives any help.
• She left without any explanation.
• There is hardly any time left.

Not any vs no

"Not any" and "no" mean the same thing. No is a little stronger and more formal.

• I don't have any brothers. = I have no brothers.
• Wrong: I don't have no brothers. (double negative)

Why Do We Use Some in Offers and Requests?

When we offer something or ask for something, we use some in questions, because we expect a yes.

• Would you like some tea? (offer)
• Can I have some water, please? (request)
• Could you give me some advice? (request)

Compare:

• Do you have any tea? (real question; maybe yes, maybe no)
• Would you like some tea? (offer; I expect yes)

This is very common in restaurants and shops. See our guide to polite requests in English for more useful patterns.

Can Any Be Used in Positive Sentences?

In positive sentences, any can mean every or no matter which. Here it is often stressed.

• You can sit in any chair.
• Call me any time.
• Any student can join the club.
• Choose any color you like.

With this meaning, any can go with a singular countable noun.

Someone, Anything, Nowhere: The Compounds

The same rules apply to compound words.

	Positive, offers	Negatives, questions	Negative (no)
people	someone, somebody	anyone, anybody	no one, nobody
things	something	anything	nothing
places	somewhere	anywhere	nowhere

• Someone is at the door.
• Is anyone home?
• I didn't see anything.
• I saw nothing.
• Let's go somewhere warm this summer.
• I can't find my keys anywhere.
• Would you like something to drink? (offer, so some-)

Somebody and someone mean the same thing. Someone is slightly more common in writing; somebody is common in speech.

Some vs Any vs A Lot Of

Some and any are vague. If you want to show a large amount, use a lot of:

• I have some friends in Berlin. (a few)
• I have a lot of friends in Berlin. (many)

What Are the Most Common Mistakes?

Mistake	Wrong	Right
Some in a normal negative	I don't have some time.	I don't have any time.
Double negative	I didn't see nobody.	I didn't see anybody. I saw nobody.
Some with a singular noun	I ate some sandwich.	I ate a sandwich.
Any in an offer	Would you like any coffee?	Would you like some coffee?
Plural verb after someone	Someone are calling.	Someone is calling.

Practice Quiz

Fill in some or any (or a compound).

1. There are ___ cookies on the table.
2. We don't have ___ bread.
3. Would you like ___ juice?
4. Is there ___ milk in the fridge?
5. I heard a noise. ___ is in the garden.
6. She didn't say ___.
7. You can visit us ___ day you like.
8. Can I ask you ___ questions?

Answers: 1. some 2. any 3. some 4. any 5. Someone 6. anything 7. any 8. some

Short, frequent practice is the fastest way to make these choices automatic. Start the free LearnLingo course and practice some and any in real A1 conversations with Sage the Turtle.

People Also Ask

What is the basic rule for some and any?

Use some in positive sentences and any in negative sentences and most questions. For example: I have some money, I don't have any money, Do you have any money?

Why do people say Would you like some tea with some in a question?

We use some in offers and requests because we expect or want the answer yes. Would you like some tea and Can I have some water are both correct.

Can any be used in positive sentences?

Yes, when it means it doesn't matter which. For example: Call me any time, or You can take any seat.

Related Reading

• Countable and Uncountable Nouns in English
• Much, Many or A Lot Of?
• A, An or The? English Articles Made Easy
• How to Ask Questions in English