Weak Form Some And Any And Clause Types

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)