some / any

Rules

• Rule 1: Positive → some

  When we say something is there, we use some. It often comes with There is / There are and have / has.

  Pattern: There is / There are / have + some + noun

  Example: There is some bread on the table.

  Example: I have some new crayons.

• Rule 2: Negative → any

  When something isn't there, we use any: isn't / aren't / don't / doesn't + any.

  Pattern: There isn't / There aren't / don't have + any + noun

  Example: There aren't any chairs here.

  Example: He doesn't have any pets.

• Rule 3: Question → any

  In questions we also use any: Is there any…? Are there any…? Do you have any…? (When we offer something we say some in a question: Would you like some cake? You'll learn this later.)

  Pattern: Is there / Are there / Do you have + any + noun?

  Example: Is there any soup?

  Example: Do you have any stickers?

• Rule 4: One thing → a / an

  For one countable thing, use a / an, not some / any. After some and any, countable nouns are plural.

  Pattern: a cat · some cats · any cats

  Example: There is a cat in the garden.

  Example: There are some cats in the garden.

Common mistakes

• There aren't some bananas. → There aren't any bananas.

  Negative → any.

• There are any cookies. → There are some cookies.

  Positive → some.

• I have some friend. → I have some friends.

  After some, countable nouns are plural.