Some and any

some and any mean an amount or a number that you don't say exactly. They go with plural nouns (some eggs) and uncountable nouns (some milk). With a singular countable noun, use a/an (an egg).

💡A plain yes/no question about whether something exists usually takes any: Do you have any brothers or sisters? But when you offer or ask for something, switch to some: Would you like some tea?

1. some in positive sentences

• I bought some vegetables at the market.

• There's some soup in the pot.

2. any in negatives and most questions

• I don't have any cash on me.

• Is there any sugar left?

• Did you take any photos?

3. some in questions when you offer, ask for something, or expect the answer “yes”

• Would you like some cake?

• Could you lend me some money until Friday?

4. any in positive sentences = “it doesn't matter which”, and after if

• Take any book you like.

• Call me any time.

• If you have any problems, let me know.

Words made with some- and any- follow the same rules as above.

• There's somebody at the door.

• I didn't eat anything this morning.

• Did you go anywhere last weekend?

• I'd like to live somewhere quiet.

A verb after somebody / anybody / something… is singular, but to refer back to the person we usually use they / their.

• Somebody is calling you.

  is, not are

• Somebody left their umbrella here.

  their for a person whose gender we don't know

• Singular countable noun → a/an: I'd like an apple.
• An amount you don't name → some: I'd like some apples / some juice.
• Talking about a whole group in general → no some: Eggs are good for you. I don't drink coffee.
• not any = no: There isn't any milk. = There's no milk. — see also the lesson “No / none / any, nothing / nobody”.

• ✗I don't have some money.

  ✓I don't have any money.

  Negative → any.

• ✗There are any letters for you.

  ✓There are some letters for you.

  Positive sentence → some.

• ✗Can I have any water, please?

  ✓Can I have some water, please?

  Asking for something → some.

• ✗I'm hungry. I want to eat anything.

  ✓I'm hungry. I want to eat something.

  You want one thing → something; anything in a positive sentence means “whatever, it doesn't matter what”.

• ✗I didn't see nobody.

  ✓I didn't see anybody. / I saw nobody.

  Standard English doesn't use two negatives together.

• ✗Somebody have called you.

  ✓Somebody has called you.

  somebody takes a singular verb.