Grammar hints - SOME - ANY - NO

SOME ANY NO

Look at the table below.

	no		any		some
Negative	P		P
Interrogative			P	=	P
Affirmative			P	‡	P

In negative sentences we can use both any and no.

The only difference is that when we use no, we cannot use “not” (n’t).

Check the examples below.

I		have	no	money.
I	don’t	have	any	money.
Jane		plays	no	musical instrument.
Jane	doesn’t	play	any	musical instrument.
There is	is		no	ketchup left.
There is	isn’t		any	ketchup left.

In interrogative sentences we can use both any and some.

Check the examples below.

Do you have	some	money.
Do you have	any	money.
Is there	some	ketchup left?
Is there	any	ketchup left?

The only difference is that when we offer something, or when we request (ask for) something we always use some.

Do you want	some	coffee?
Can I have	some	coffee?
Do you want	some	help?
Can you give me	some	help?

In affirmative sentences we can use both any and some.

But they have different meanings.

If we use any, we imply there is no limit, if we use some we imply there is some limit.

Check the examples below.

I am not a millionaire, so I can buy	some	models of car.
Bill Gates is a millionaire, so he can buy	any	car he wants.
I have diabetes, so I can eat	some	foods.
My friend doesn’t have diabetes, so he can eat	any	food.