Some and Any Use of some and any

Some and any are used to state the quantity, amount of something. When using some or any, the exact number is not stated. Some and any are quantifiers.

Some and any can be used when:

1. The exact number is not known.

2. The exact number is not important or relevant.

3. Some and any are used with countable and uncountable nouns.

Study the following tables:

Interrogative	Affirmative	Negative
Are there any tomatoes in the fridge?	Yes, there are some.	No, there aren't any.
Is there any orange juice?	Yes, there is some.	No, there isn't any.

Offering	Responding
Would you like some coffee?	Yes please I'd like some.

Making a request	Responding
Would you mind lending me some money?	Of course here you are.

The rules of some and many: some:

Use some in positive (affirmative) sentences. Some is used for both countable and uncountable nouns.

Examples:

I have some friends.( friends is countable) I'd like some water. (water is uncountable)

ANY:

Use any for countable and countable nouns in:

1. interrogative sentences.  Examples:  Have you got any cheese? Have you got any friends?

2. negative sentences. Example: He hasn't got any cheese He hasn't got any friends in Chicago.

Exception:

Use some in questions when offering or requesting something. Example:

• Would you like some bread? (offer)

• Can I have some water, please? (request)

Something, anything, somewhere, anywhere, someone ,anyone:

The same rules are true for something and anything, someone and anyone, and somewhere and anywhere.

Policeman:	Is there anyone at home?
Criminal:	Yes there is someone there! My friend.
Policeman:	Is there anything in your pocket?
Criminal:	Yes there is something. A gun!
Policeman:	Did you go anywhere recently?
Criminal:	Yes I went somewhere. I went to the old man's house to steal his money.

Expressing a wish or a regret

Use of I wish / if only:

There are three distinct types of  I wish / if only  sentences:

1. Wish, wanting change for the present or future with the simple past.

2. Regret with the past perfect.

3. Complaints with would + verb.

Expressing a wish:

Form:

If only / I wish + simple past

Example:

If only I knew how to use a computer. (I don’t know how to use a computer and I would like to learn how to use it)

Use:

• To express a wish in the present or in the future.

• The simple past here is an unreal past.

• When you use the verb to be the form is “were”.  Example: I wish I were a millionaire!

Expressing regret:

Form:

If only / I wish + past perfect

Example:

If only I had woken up early. (I didn't wake up early and I missed my bus.)

Use:

• To express a regret.

• The action is past.

Complaining:

Form:

I wish / if only + would + verb

Example:

I wish you wouldn't arrive so late all the time (I'm annoyed because you always come late and I want you to arrive on time)

Use:

• To complain about a behavior that you disapprove.

• Expressing impatience, annoyance or dissatisfaction with a present action.

Passive Voice

The passive vs the active voice:

The Active Voice	The Passive Voice
Most countries in Latin America speak Spanish.	Spanish is spoken in most countries in latin America.

Use of the passive voice:

1. Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known, however, who or what is performing the action. Example: "A letter was written." The focus, here, is on the fact that a letter was written. We don't know, however, who wrote it.

2. Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following example shows: Example: A vase was broken. Focus, here, is on the fact that a vase was broken, but we don't blame anyone. Compare this to: "You broke the vase."