Any / some pronouns: use, examples and exercises

Some words of the English language are inherent in certain features, such as various translations depending on the context, shades of meanings that at first glance are not visible, and so on. One of these topics is the pronouns any / some, the use of which is described in detail in the article.

Uncertain pronouns some and any: general information

Both words can play in the sentence the role of the noun and the adjective. The main rule: some is mostly found in the affirmative form, and any - with negation, as well as in interrogative and conditional sentences.

The main cases of use with examples:

1. As adjectives (in any time form, a number). Depending on the meaning in such cases may not be translated.
   - She gave him some biographic books. - She gave him several biographical books.
   - Did you find any surrealistic pictures? - Have you found any surrealistic pictures?
2. With uncountable nouns. Most often not translated.
   - I'm hungry. Bring me some porridge, please. " I'm hungry." Bring me oatmeal, please.
   - There is not any water in the cup. " There is no water in the cup."
3. Replacement of uncountable nouns.
   - She wants some black tea. Can you give us some? " She wants black tea." Can you bring (tea)?
   - I want milk. There is not any in the pitcher. " I want milk." There is no milk in the jug.
4. In general and special matters, some is used, not any (a rule to remember).
   - Where will Ann take ~ salt? " Where will Anna take the salt?"
   - When will Ben bring ~ butter? " When will Ben bring the oil?"
5. Some pronoun: translation - "some".
   - ~ childrens like playing the piano. - Some children like to play the piano.
   - ~ of his best friends speak Spanish. " Some of his best friends speak Spanish."
6. Any in English is used primarily in such terms as "everyone" or "any". It occurs in combination with any nouns (inclusive, incalculable).
   - Can I take such a book at the reading room? - Can I take such a book in any reading room?
   - You can not find this expensive book at ~ library. - You can not find this expensive book in any library.
   - My friends may call it me at ~ time. - My friends can call on me at any time (any time).

Stable expressions with any word

In each language there are constructions called stable expressions. Their meaning is not always obvious, so some such phrases need to be learned.

• In ~ case - in any (in any) case;
• At ~ time - at any time;
• ~ And all - everything, any;
• ~ Man alive - someone, someone;
• ~ Number of things - anything;
• At ~ moment / one time - always, at any time;
• At ~ rate - in any case, under any circumstances;
• By chance - by accident;
• By means - by any means, in whatever manner / way, by all means;
• To go ~ length - to go / be ready for anything;
• For ~ purpose - for any purpose;
• Hardly ~ almost nothing;
• In ~ respect - in all respects;
• In ~ way / shape / form - by no means.

Stable word combinations with the word some

As for the pronoun some, the translation, as in the case with "any", depends on the context. The following expressions are very common in English. For fluency of speech, you should remember them and gradually include them in your vocabulary.

• ~ Few - few;
• ~ Time - some time;
• ~ Of these days - someday (American expression);
• At ~ point - sooner or later, at one time;
• At ~ length - broadly;
• By means, in one way or another, in one way or another;
• For ~ reason - for some reason, for some reason;
• For ~ time past - for some time, from some time, recently;
• Get ~ sleep - take a nap;
• In ~ cases - in a number of cases;
• In ~ degree to a certain degree;
• In ~ measure - to some extent;
• To ~ purpose - is not unsuccessful, useful.

Pronouns any, some: using their derivatives (-body, -thing, -one, -where)

The meaning of the derivatives is similar to the meaning of the basic words. Let's take a closer look at the table below.

As for the derivatives of any / some, the usage retains the same features as in the basic pronouns.

Examples:

• Is there anybody at school? - Is there anyone at school?
• Somebody entered the classroom. - Someone went to class.
• She does not see anybody. " She does not see anyone."

In order to make the learning process more effective, try to gradually include new words and phrases in your own speech. The application of the studied material must be brought to automatism, otherwise it is quickly forgotten or remains a part of passive knowledge (that is, it is remembered only in reading, not in oral speech). To include vocabulary in your active vocabulary, make up your own suggestions and dialogues, pronounce and write essays.

Some features of somebody and someone

Despite the ease of use of the above words, it is necessary to remember some features to avoid speech errors and the incorrect combination of lexical units.

• Derivatives from any and some, formed with -one and -body, refer to an animate noun. For inanimate, the same thing is used -thing.
• At first glance, there is no difference between the words somebody and someone, since both pronouns are translated into Russian in a similar way: someone, someone, etc. However, there is a significant difference, which consists in the following: -body implies one variant of the plausible ones, -one points to a certain person, without naming specifically.
  - I think somebody can help. " I think someone can help."
  She knows someone who can help. "She knows someone who is always ready to help."
• In addition to a single number, the plural may also be implied: Someone (-body) is coming. - Someone is coming (one or more people).

Exercises with answers

In addition to making proposals, another effective method is to perform exercises. The development of a significant number of tasks will help to master any grammatical theme of the English language. This will enable you to identify your weaknesses and show what gaps in knowledge are yet to be filled.

Task 1: Fill in the gaps with the words any / some (use and features of which are discussed in detail above).

1. I've got ... interesting Spanish books. "I have some interesting Spanish books."
2. She took ... money and went to the classical music concert. - She took (a little) money and went to a concert of classical music.
3. Have you got ... French magazines to read? - Do you have French magazines (read)?
4. Will you have ... water? "Would you like some water?"
5. You can take ... dress you like. - You can choose any dress that you like.

Task 2: Translate into English.

1. The teacher asked me to bring some chalk.
2. Do you have beautiful dresses?
3. When will she buy (a little) milk?
4. Will your friend have green tea?
5. It does not make any mistakes.

Answer 1:

• Some - 1, 2, 4.
• Any - 3, 5.

Answer 2:

1. The teacher asked to bring some chalk.
2. Have you got any beautiful dress?
3. When will she buy some milk?
4. Will your friend have some green tea?
5. She does not make any mistakes.

To successfully master any material, try to apply it immediately in practice. Learning a language is a living process that should not be taken as a dry memorization of numerous rules and lists of words. Make English an integral part of your life, comprehending through it those spheres that interest you. The choice is unlimited: listening to foreign songs, reading in the original English press and fiction, watching movies and serials, communicating with native speakers and much more. With this approach, you will be able to achieve great success in the shortest possible time. After all, a sincere interest in the subject is the best motivation!