Weak Form Some And Any
And Clause Types
The use of the weak forms of some and any
depends on whether the clause is declarative or interrogative, and whether it
is affirmative or negative:
There’s some
milk in the fridge. (There’s any milk in the
fridge.)
There isn't any
milk in the fridge. (There isn't some milk in
the fridge).
Is there any milk
in the fridge?
Is there some
milk in the fridge?
Isn't there any
milk in the fridge?
Isn't there some
milk in the fridge?
Affirmative and Negative Clauses
In declarative clauses, some occurs with affirmatives but does not occur with negatives.
Any occurs with negatives but does not
usually occur with affirmatives:
I've got some
nice French cheese for us. (I've got any nice French
cheese for us.)
A: I’d
like some apple juice please. (I’d like any apple juice please.)
B:
You’d like some apple juice.
A: Yes.
B:
Right.
I don’t have any
questions. (I don’t have some
questions.)
[Talking about a recently typed document]
There aren’t any glaring
errors. I mean Jamie’s read through it and he hasn’t seen any.
(There aren’t some
glaring errors. I mean Jamie’s read through it and he hasn’t seen some.)
Any can occur in affirmative declarative clauses with an implied
conditional meaning and in subordinate conditional clauses:
[radio weather forecast]
Any rain will clear by midday.
(if there is any rain,
it will clear by midday)
If anyone has any questions during the day, ask
Sam.
Interrogative clauses
With interrogatives, some and any are both used
to ask questions. Some suggests the
speaker thinks the answer will fit neatly with the question; any is more open-ended and does not necessarily
project an answer which the speaker expects:
[hostess to dinner guest at the beginning of
the meal]
A:
Would you like some soup?
B: Mm,
please.
(at this point in the meal, the expectation is
that the guest will want soup)
[hostess to dinner guest towards the end of the
main course]
A: Do
you want any more salad or anything?
B: No
I’m full thanks Jill.
(it is less obvious whether the guest will want
more or not; the question is more open-ended.)
[in a post office; A is the postal agent, B is
a customer]
A: You want it first class. Let’s just weigh it
for you then. First class is fifty seven.
B: Is there some
kind of recorded delivery I could send it by?
A: Yes, it’s another fifty five.
(the customer’s expectation is that there is a
recorded delivery system; compare ‘Is there any kind of recorded delivery I
could send it by?’, which would suggest the customer is far less certain
whether such a possibility exists)
Because of the difference between a suggestion
of agreement with the question and a more open-ended question, some is more common than any in situations
where polite or friendly offers are made, especially offers of food, even
though the response may be negative:
A: Do
you want some pudding now Chris?
B: No.
I’ll have it in a minute thank you.
Negative interrogative clauses
Negative interrogatives with some and any are used to check the speaker’s understanding of a
situation.
Negative interrogatives with some typically indicate that speakers wish to
confirm their positive expectations or assumptions about the situation:
Wasn't there some trouble in the village last night?
(speaker has reason to think there was,
and seeks confirmation)
[speaker is sharing out a bar of
chocolate]
Don’t you want some, Lee?
(I would expect you to want some, please confirm)
Negative interrogatives with any
typically indicate that speakers wish to confirm their negative expectations or
assumptions about the situation:
[at the dinner table]
A:
Do you want some water? Don’t you
want any juice?
B:
No.
A:
No?
B:
Mm.
(I sense you do not want juice, please
confirm)
