Difference between SOME and ANY

Do you want to understand the difference between SOME and ANY once and for all? Pay attention, because in this post I explain exactly how to use SOME and ANY. 🤓

The difference between some and any is sometimes difficult to understand, especially for beginner or intermediate English students. But don’t worry, after reading this post you will perfectly understand the difference between some and any.

Difference between some and any

These two words that cause us so many problems are quantifiers. That is, they quantify the amount of a noun to some extent. However, the problem arises because we don’t know when to use some or when to use any, as both are used when we don’t specify an exact quantity. Let’s look at a couple of examples:

I’m having some friends over tomorrow night. (Vienen algunos amigos a mi casa mañana noche.)
Are there any pupils in the class? (¿Hay algún alumno/algunos alumnos en la clase?)

In certain cases, as in the examples, both some and any can be translated as «algunos» or «algún». But when do we use one or the other exactly?

When to use some

In general, we use some in positive sentences with plural or uncountable nouns. For example:

She’s had some problems with the teacher. (problems = plural countable noun)
I got some money from my parents. (money = uncountable noun)

When to use any

It is most common to use any in negative or interrogative sentences with plural or uncountable nouns. For example:

John hasn’t got any books in his bedroom. (books = plural countable noun)
Is there any sugar left? (sugar = uncountable noun)

But we are talking about English, a language characterised by presenting some exceptions to every rule. 😅 So pay attention, because below I will tell you exactly other uses of some and other uses of any.

Exceptions in the use of Some and Any

How to use some (exceptions)

We can use some in questions when we are offering something or when we expect the answer to be positive. For example:

Would you like some sugar in your tea?
Seriously? Are some people still at the party?

Furthermore, we can use some with singular countable nouns or with uncountable nouns when we are not sure about the person or thing we are talking about. Here are a couple of examples:

I know I’ve got some book where you can find that information. (Sé que tengo un libro que…)
She was helped by some passer-by, but he left before she could thank him. (Fue ayudada por algún transeúnte…)

How to use any (exceptions)

Apart from the uses of any mentioned above, we can find any in positive sentences when it is not important what, how, how much… we are talking about. For example:

Any person can come by as long as they have an invitation. (Cualquier persona puede venir…)
I’d like some cereal If there is any milk left. (…si queda algo de leche.)

Furthermore, we can use any also in positive sentences when there is an adverb, verb, adjective or preposition that makes the sentence negative. Let’s look at some cases:

• Negative adverbs: barely, hardly, never, rarely, scarcely, seldom, etc.

There is hardly any people at the party.

• Negative verbs: deny, fail, forbid, prevent, prohibit, refuse, etc.

He denied having any responsibility in the accident.

• Negative adjectives: impossible, reluctant, unable, unlikely, etc.

He was unable to do any work with a broken arm.

• Negative preposition: without.

He did his homework without any help from his parents.

An interesting aspect about the difference between some and any is that these also apply to pronouns derived from these words that we form by adding endings like -one, -where, -body, -time, etc. In these cases, the same rules apply to these compound words. Let’s look at some examples:

• People: someone – anyone // somebody – anybody

I think there’s somebody at the front door.

Did anyone tell you about the changes?

• Things: something – anything

I’ve got something stuck between my teeth.

There isn’t anything to watch on TV tonight.

• Places: somewhere – anywhere

My keys must be somewhere in the living room, but I can’t find them.

I can’t find my keys anywhere.

And now I’ll leave you with a quick exercise to help you learn to differentiate some and any. Let’s see how you do!

I hope I have resolved your doubt about some and any. If you would like to download a PDF version in English of this information, click here.

Do you have any doubts about the difference between some and any? Ask in the comments! 👇

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