I tried to explain everything you need to know about some - any in this article briefly and in accessible language. Read everything carefully and you will understand the material the first time. In the future, you will not have problems or questions about the difference between some and any and how to use them correctly. All examples are given with translation.

Translation of Somebody

Some - Any - are often not translated into Russian at all.
However, rely on the following meanings and translations:

Some - a little, several, some, some.
Any - any.

When is Some Any used and what is their difference?

1. Some - Any used with nouns in plural.

I have some money.
I have money.

You can take any bus to the downtown.
You can take any bus to the city center.

He has some friends in New York.
He has friends in New York.

2. Some - Any used when we need to indicate the quantity, but we do not know the exact quantity. Or the exact number doesn't matter.

Compare these offers:

I saw seven deer when riding my bike in the forest yesterday.
Yesterday I saw seven deer in the forest.
*We report: we saw as many as 7 deer, we emphasize the number.

I saw some deer when riding my bike in the forest yesterday.
Yesterday I saw deer in the forest.
*We inform the interlocutor about the fact: we saw deer.
We either don’t know how many there were, or it doesn’t matter.

Some differs from Any in that

3. Some used in affirmative sentences.

I'm looking for some good music.
I'm looking for good music.

4. Any used in negatives and interrogatives.

5. Exception #1: Some, however, is used in interrogative sentences when we ask or offer something.

Would you like some more tea?
Would you like some more tea?

Can I have some water, please?
Can I have some water please?

Do you want something to eat?
Do you want to eat something?

6. Exception #2: Any can be used in affirmative sentences, with the words "any, anywhere, however."

This is such simple material that causes some difficulties for beginners in understanding the topic and using - Some - Any in colloquial speech. Although there is nothing complicated in this rule. If you are at the beginner or elementary and pre-Intermediate level, this knowledge will be enough for you to provide a basic explanation. They will help you consolidate what you have learned

Go up a notch - intermediate level - see the rule and examples below.

7. The above rules also apply to derivative words containing some - any: somebody, anybody, something, anything, nothing, somewhere / anywhere / nowhere.

Someone forgot to turn the lights off before leaving.
Someone forgot to turn off the lights before leaving.

I don’t know anyone who works from home.
I don't know anyone who works from home.

Did you meet anyone new at the conference?
Did you meet anyone at the conference?

Nobody likes the new teacher.
Nobody likes a new teacher.

I want to try something new this year.
I want to try something new this year.

I didn't eat anything at the restaurant.
I didn't eat anything at the restaurant.

Are you doing anything interesting this weekend?
Are you doing anything interesting this weekend?

There's nothing to do in this town.
There is nothing to do in this city.

Let's go somewhere warm on our next vacation.
Let's go somewhere on our next vacation.

I can't find my keys anywhere!
I can't find my keys anywhere!

Did you go anywhere else before coming home?
Did you go somewhere else before coming home?

The waiting room was so crowded that there was nowhere to sit down.
The waiting room was so crowded that there was nowhere to sit.

When in English language is used a an some?

1. Using Some. Some is translated as several, a little, some. The pronoun some is used: with uncountable (which cannot be counted) English nouns in the meaning a little There is some pure water in the bottle. There's some in the bottle clean water. with countable (which can be counted) plural nouns meaning several or some Some students prepared interesting reports. Several students (some students) prepared interesting reports. with countable English nouns in the singular meaning Some girl has just called you. Some girl just called you. Some and its derivatives (see table below) are most often used in affirmative sentences. However, they can also be used in interrogative structures: to express a request or offer Would you like something to drink? Will you drink? Can I have some warm milk? -Can I have some warm milk? when we assume an affirmative answer to our question. Are you doing something at the moment? Are you busy with something right now? Some can be used with the preposition of to mean some of. But after the preposition, the noun must be preceded by either a definite article, or a demonstrative or possessive pronoun. Some of my relatives live in Brest. Some of my relatives live in Brest. Some of the girls were not properly dressed. Some of the girls were not dressed very well. Let's summarize what has been said with a table: The use of the pronoun Any Any and its derivatives are used mainly in negative and interrogative sentences: Im glad that you havent any problems with your studies. I'm glad you don't have any problems with your studies. Has anybody called me? Did anyone call me? Any and its derivatives can also be used in affirmative constructions in the following situations: in the meaning of any, any, anything, anywhere, etc. Anyone can tell you her name. Anyone can tell you her name. You may use anything you need. You can use whatever you need. V subordinate clauses after if. I wonder if they found anybody there. I wonder if they found anyone there. Let me know if you have any trouble. If there are any problems, let me know. after the following words that have a negative meaning: Hardly hardly, almost not Scarcely hardly, almost never Never never Without, without doing anything Seldom rarely Rarely occasionally little, few - little to refuse refuse Sally rarely talks to anyone. Sally rarely talks to anyone. Fred could hardly see anything in that dark room. Any can be used with the preposition of to mean any: You can catch any of these trams. They all go to Lake Komsomol You can take any of these trams. They all go to Komsomolskoye Lake. However, the complex pronouns anyone, anything, anybody are not used with the preposition of. You cannot say: Anyone of these managers can be appointed director. Any of these managers may be appointed as a director. You can: Any of these managers can be appointed director. After complex pronouns and adverbs, the adverb else can be used to mean more, except. anybody / anyone else anyone else anything else something else anywhere else somewhere else Have you got anything else to tell me? Is there anything else you want to tell me? The indefinite pronouns anybody, anyone CAN take a possessive ending. I dont want to get anyones help. I don't want to accept anyone's help. If the pronoun is used in combination with the adverb else, the possessive case takes on the given adverb. Did you notice anybody elses tracks there? Have you noticed anyone else's words there?
2. "a" is written before consonants
   "any" is written in interrogatives and countables
   "some" is written in the affirmative and in the uncountable
3. 
   
4. much - many - a few - a little. Expressions of quantity. Learning English

   An expression of quantity tells the amount of something.

   much or many? few or little?

   "much" - not countable

   "How much...?" With uncountable nouns in negative and questions.

   How much homework do we get?
   How much money do I need?
   How much milk do you want?
   Is there much sugar in my tea?

   "many" - countable nouns

   With countable nouns in negative and questions.

   How many sisters does he have?
   How many pupils are in this class?
   How many books do you buy?
   How many cows live on this farm?

   "a few..." countable nouns

   Use "(A) few ..." with countable nouns.

   There are just a few examples.
   I meet a few friends
   I see a few hundred pupils.
   Ive got few brothers.

   "a little..." uncountable

   Use "a little" with uncountable nouns.

   There is little tea left.
   Not a lot, only a little, please.
   Ive got little money.

   Countable nouns and uncountable nouns

   a lot of / lots of Use an exact quantity or a lot of / lots of

   There are 10 pupils.
   There are a lot of cookies
   They have got a lot of CDs.
   There are a lot of things on your table.
   We have got lots of money

5. To the unyielding - a
   To the uncountable - some
   The rest an
6. The articles "a" and "an" are placed before nouns. countable units numbers. "a" - if noun. after it begins with a consonant sound. "an" - if noun. begins with a vowel sound.
   Some - adjective or adverb, means “several” (adverb), as with calculus. so with uncountable It can also mean “some” (adjective). Look up some in the dictionary, they will tell you better about this word.
7. a- nouns singular number an nouns unit number starting with a and e
   some - adjective means some.

In English, these words are classified as pronouns (Pronouns). Surely you have already met them. How to correctly use these words, as well as their derivatives (somebody, anything, nowhere)?

Rule #1

The use depends on the type of sentence - affirmative, negative or interrogative.

As you can see, these words are used in the same way with both countable and uncountable nouns, but they will be translated into Russian slightly differently. For example:

I have some books in my bag. - I have it in my bag some books.

I have some money in my purse. - I have it in my wallet A little money.

Ben doesn't have any pens. - Ben doesn't have no handles

There isn't any milk in the fridge. - In a refrigerator not at all milk.

Do you have any questions? - You have any questions?

Do you have any flour? - Do you have for some time flour?

Rule #2

There are 2 cases when the word some is used in an interrogative sentence.

1. Request:
   

   Could you lend me some money? - Could you lend me A little money?

2. Offer:
   

   Would you like some water? - You do not want A little water?

Rule #3

Also the word some can be used to mean "some". In this case, it must be followed by a preposition of and either the definite article the, or a possessive pronoun ( my, her...). For example:

Some of my friends play football. – Some of my friends play football.

Word any can also be used to mean "any, everyone". In this case, it can be put in an affirmative sentence. For example:

Take any of these oranges. - Take any of these oranges.

Rule #4

Negation in which the word is usually used any, is not always formed with an auxiliary verb. For this, various words that carry a negative meaning can be used. For example:

She never does any housework - They never doesn't no housework.

Peter has read hardly any books in his life. – Peter hardly read how much books in my life.

Rule #5

The pronoun no can only be used in negation; more precisely, it itself makes the sentence negative. Since in English there can only be one negation in a sentence (we cannot say, as in Russian “I don’t know anything”), the sentence will be constructed as follows:

He has no problems. - He doesn't have no problems.

As you can see, the sentence has the same construction as the affirmative, but carries a negative meaning. This proposal can be formulated in another way:

It doesn't have any problems. - He doesn't have no problems.

The pronoun used here any, which, as you already know, is used in negatives.

Rule #6

Derivatives can be formed from all three pronouns. They appear in speech very often and you have probably already seen them too. For example, in song titles: “ Somebody that I used to know” by Gotye – “ Somebody, whom I knew" or "Takes me nowhere” by the Offspring team – “ Nowhere will not lead me" (translation option - " To nothing won't lead me).
First, we need to understand how derivatives are formed.

Please note that derived words denoting people and things will fall under the category of pronouns, and those denoting place will fall under the category of adverbs (Adverbs). Words somebody/someone are synonymous, however someone is used somewhat more often. Words no one is the only pronoun in this group that is written separately.
The rules of use here are similar to those stated above:

Statement:

Somebody has just entered the room. – Somebody just entered the room.

Something strange happened last week. - Happened last week something strange.

I need somewhere to leave my personal belongings. - I need somewhere leave my personal belongings.

Negation:

I didn't see anybody in the library yesterday. - Yesterday I was in the library no one did not see.

I saw nobody in the library yesterday. - Yesterday I was in the library no one did not see.

Don't let anyone leave the class. - Do not allow no one leave the class.

I can't see your glasses anywhere. - I nowhere I don't see your glasses.

Question:

Have you told anyone? - You said someone?

Do you have anything interesting to read? - Do you have anything interesting to read?

Derivatives of some can also be used in requests and sentences:

Would you like something to drink? - Want to anything drink up?

Can I have something to drink? - May I anything drink up?

Also, derivatives of some can be used in questions if the speaker expects an affirmative answer:

Are you watching something on TV at the moment? - Are you looking now? something on TV?

Just like a word any, its derivatives can be used in the meanings " any, anyone, anything, anywhere."

It’s very easy – ask anybody! - It's very simple - just ask any!

A pronoun is a word that indicates an object or the quality of an object, but does not directly name it. Today we will look at indefinite pronouns( indefinite pronouns) some, any, no in English.

Rules for using some, any, no

Before considering use cases some, any, no, let's find out the translation of these words.

• Some– some, some, some, several.
• Any translated in the same way, and can also be translated as "any".
• No- none, not at all.

The general rule for these pronouns is: some, any, no must come before the noun they qualify. In this function they resemble articles ( a/an And the), which are also used before a noun. Let's look at the table.

It is important to remember that it is better not to leave a noun unaccompanied by a pronoun or article. And now - to the rules of use some, any, no in English.

1. Pronoun some used in affirmative sentences. But it can also be found in interrogative sentences, if we are talking about a request or offer to do something for someone.
   

   There is some portrait on the wall. – There’s a portrait hanging on the wall.

   The boys broke some windows in the house. – The boys broke several windows in the house.

   Would you like some beer? - Would you like some beer? (offer)

   Give me, please, some juice. - Give me some juice, please. (request)

   Please note that with singular words some translated as “some” ( some boy- some boy), with the same nouns in the plural - “several” ( some people– several people), but with uncountable nouns – “a little” ( some sugar- a little sugar).

2. Pronoun any used in interrogative and negative sentences instead some and means “any, any, any.”
   

   Do you speak any foreign languages? – Do you speak any foreign languages?

   Did the manager take any decision? – Has the manager made any decisions?

   I did not find any mistakes. - I didn't find any errors.

   If any stands in an affirmative sentence, it is translated as “any”, “any”, “whatever”.

   Any vegetable is useful for your health. – Any vegetable is good for your health.

   Any girl wants to get married. - Every girl wants to get married.

   You can catch any of these buses. – You can take any of these buses.

Watch a video from a native speaker to understand the difference between some And any.

3. Pronoun no as a definition it is used with all types of nouns, both singular and plural. It expresses the absence of something and is used only in negative sentences.
   

   John has no furniture in his flat. John doesn’t have any furniture in his apartment.

   Fortunately there are no cars in this area. – Fortunately, there are no cars in this area.

   Please note the difference between not And no. Not we use for a verb, and no– before a noun:

   I have no telephone at home. = I have not got a telephone at home. – I don’t have a phone at home.

   There are no pupils in the classroom. = There are not any pupils in the classroom. - There are no students in the class.

   There is no information in the file. = There is not any information in the file. – There is no information in the file.

   You can use any option: no or not any. Just don’t mix them up, because there can only be one negative in an English sentence.

   There is no any difference. – There is not any difference or There is no difference. - No difference.

Combination of some, any, no with other words

When we talk about people ( people), things ( things), places ( places), we can add some, any, no and get new words. Let's look at the table to see which words we can add these pronouns to.

And a few more rules that are worth paying attention to.

1. We use somebody, something, somewhere etc., when we do not say exactly who, what or where performs the action.
   

   Somebody broke the window. - Someone broke the window.

   He has done something special for me. “He did something special for me.”

   I want to go somewhere nice this evening. – I want to go to some cool place in the evening.

2. Use anybody, anything, anywhere in questions and with verbs in the negative form.
   

   We didn't do anything last night. – We didn’t do anything yesterday.

   My friend didn’t see anybody at the park. – My friend didn’t see anyone in the park.

3. Choose nobody, nothing, nowhere, when you give a short answer, and also when the verb is in the affirmative form, but you still build a negative sentence.
   

   Who's in the bathroom? - Nobody. - Who's in the bathroom? - Nobody.

   We did nothing last night. – We didn’t do anything yesterday.

4. Somebody, nobody used in the same way as someone, no one. There is no difference in their meanings.
   

   Somebody (someone) wants to see you. - Someone wants to see you.

As you can see, there are not many rules. If you study all this, the use some, any, no should not cause any difficulties. At the end, we offer you a downloadable tablet and a test so that you remember the rules for using these pronouns.

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Test

Using some, any, no