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some and any: the main differences

Indefinite quantities​

Both some (see here) and any (see here) can refer to an indefinite quantity or number. They are used when it is not easy, or not important, to say exactly how much/many we are thinking of.

  • I need some new clothes.
  • Is there any milk left?

Used in this sense, some is most common in affirmative clauses; any is a ‘non-affirmative’ word (see here) and is common in questions and negatives. Compare:

  • I need some flour.
  • Do you have any flour?
  • Sorry, I don’t have any flour. (not Sorry, I don’t have some flour.)

some in questions​

We use some in questions if we expect people to answer ‘Yes’, or want to encourage them to say ‘Yes’ – for example in offers and requests.

  • Have you brought some paper and a pen? (The hearer is expected to bring them.)
  • Shouldn’t there be some instructions with it?
  • Would you like some more meat?
  • Could I have some brown rice, please?
  • Have you got some glasses that I could borrow?

any in affirmative clauses​

We use any in affirmative clauses after words that have a negative or limiting meaning: for example never, hardly, without, little.

  • You never give me any help.
  • There’s hardly any tea left.
  • I forgot to get any bread.
  • We got there without any trouble.
  • There is little point in doing any more work now.
  • The guards prevented us from asking any questions.

if-clauses​

Both some and any are common in if-clauses.

  • If you want some/any help, let me know.

Sometimes any is used to suggest ‘if there is/are any’.

  • Any cars parked in this road will be towed away. (= If there are any cars parked in this road, they will …)
note

For the ‘free choice’ use of any (e.g. Any child could do this), (see here).