The words some and any are used for countable and uncountable nouns. In general, we could say that somemeans a few / a little and any means none in negative clauses or a few / a little in questions.
Positive Clauses
In positive clauses, we usually use some.
- Example:
- I have bought some bread.
- I have bought some apples.
Negative Clauses
In negative clauses, we use any. Note, however, that any alone is not a negative - it must be not ... any- Example:
- I have not bought any bread.
- I have not bought any apples.
Questions
In questions, we usually use any.- Example:
- Have you bought any bread?
- Have you bought any apples?
Compound Words with some & any
Some & any can also be part of compound words such as:- something / anything
- someone / anyone
- somewhere / anywhere
Note that some & any have to be used with a noun while compound words with some & any can stand on their own.- Example:
- I have bought some bread.
- I have bought something.
However, some and any need not stand directly before the noun. Sometimes, the noun appears somewhere before some or any and is not repeated. So if you are not sure whether to use some or something for example, check if there is a noun in the sentence that you can place after some.- Example:
- I do not have to buy bread. Rachel has already bought some [bread].
- Here you can read more about the uses of some & any
- http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/rules/some.htm
- And here you can see a video:
- Fill in the correct word (some or any).
- Sue went to the cinema with of her friends!
- Jane doesn't have friends.
- Have you got brothers or sisters?
- Here is food for the cat.
- I think you should put flowers on the table.
- Could you check if there are calls on the answering machine?
- I don't want presents for my birthday.
- Did they have news for you?
- I'm hungry - I'll have sandwiches.
- There aren't apples left.