The rule for using the indefinite pronouns some and any in English. Some Any rules of use in various constructions, as well as much and many

Pronouns in any language are used to refer to objects so as not to name them every time. Agree, it is impossible to point to something while constantly mentioning the name of the object or a proper name. Pronouns come to our aid. In English they are divided into personal, possessive, reflexive and indefinite.

What are indefinite pronouns?

In English these include some, any, no and their derivatives. Depending on their meaning and place in the sentence, forms formed with the words body, thing, one, where can be used. For example, somebody, anything, none, somewhere. The rule for using pronouns in English is very simple, and after a little practice, as a rule, it does not cause any problems for language learners. The pronouns some, any no, despite the fact that at first glance they mean only “some”, “any” (and in Russian there is no particular difference between these words). In English, there is a clear definition of when to use one or another pronoun.

Rules for using pronouns

The basic rule for using some, any, no depends on the type of sentence: some is found only in affirmative sentences; any - in questions and negations; no - in negatives, if there is no direct negation. It may be a little unclear, but in reality the rule is easy to remember. If you look at examples of use, it will become extremely clear how to correctly insert pronouns into sentences.

Let's look at how to correctly use some, any, no. The rule is better understood if practiced simultaneously with examples.

Some or any?

Some in statements:

1. With plural countable nouns: There are some pictures in the book. - There are several pictures in the book. There are some kindergarden in this district. - There are several kindergartens in the area. I can see some girls in the garden - I can see some girls in the garden.
2. With uncountable nouns: I bought some milk. - I bought some milk. I'd like some water, please. - I'd like some water please. After dinner he drank some juice. - After dinner he drank some juice.

In these cases, the pronoun is translated as several, a little, some.

Any should be used in interrogative sentences and negations: I didn’t buy any eggs. - I didn't buy any eggs. We haven't got any milk. - We don't have milk. Are there any pictures in this magazine? - Are there any pictures in this magazine?

If you want to politely offer something to someone, you use some. For example: Would you like some coffee? - Would you like some coffee?

Of the pronouns some, any, no, according to the rule, only any can be used in questions, but there is an exception: the pronoun some can take place in a question if this question is special and contains some kind of request: Can Paul bring some coffee? - Could Paul bring some coffee?

Every rule has some caveats. So when using some, any, no there is an exception to the rule:

• The pronoun any should be used if we are talking about some person or object (in this case it does not matter which one specifically) from an indefinite number of the same objects: I haven’t got any paper. - I don't have paper. This example is not about any specific paper.
• In sentences with barely, except, hardly, little, never, no longer, no sooner, rarely, scarcely, rarely, unfortunately, without, avoid, deny, fail, forbid, object, prevent, prohibit, refuse, reject, the pronoun some is used instead any.
• Indefinite pronouns beginning with any are used in sentences beginning with if, and are not used as the subject of negative ones: If anybody would like to attend the presentation, it can be arranged.

Pronoun no. Negation with verbs in the affirmative form

The pronoun no can only be used in negative sentences, if there is no direct negation: There are no flowers in our garden - There are no flowers in our garden. In this sentence, the verb is in the affirmative form, while the sentence itself has a negative meaning.

The pronouns some, any, no, as a rule, have a clear definition when used. But we must remember that the pronouns any and no are interchangeable. "How?" - you ask. One thought in English can be expressed in both affirmative and negative form. Let's look at an example:

I haven't any book in my room

I have no book in my room.

Both sentences are translated and have the same meaning - There are no books in my room.

The sentences sound grammatically correct in both versions. And they are translated into Russian the same way.

Translation of pronouns into Russian

If the countable noun is plural, then the pronoun is translated by the words some, several, some. If the noun is singular, then you can use the words some, some. Uncountable nouns can be translated into Russian with the words a little and some.

One of the translation options depends on the presence of the preposition of after the pronoun, which in this case is translated into Russian as “any of”, “any of”:

Some of you have to go to the shop - some of you should go to the store.

Did you taste any of these cakes? - have you tried any of these cakes?

In the case below, the pronoun some can be translated as “part of something”:

Some of the milk was used in baking - some of the milk was used in baking.

Derivations from indefinite pronouns

Indefinite pronouns have their own derivatives, which, depending on their combination with other nouns, can be used in a very wide variety of sentences.

Derivatives can be applied to animate and inanimate objects and places. The pronoun some can be applied to animate objects in two word forms: somebody - translated as anyone, and someone - can be translated as somebody.

Despite the fact that derivatives of indefinite pronouns are used with singular verbs, the pronouns that replace them are plural: they, them, their or themselves. Someone has forgotten their umbrella, haven’t they?

Examples of using derivatives from pronouns:

• In affirmative sentences. I'd like something to drink. - I'd like a drink. She asked someone to help her. - She asked someone to help her.

If the countable noun is plural, then the pronoun is translated with the words some, several, some. If the noun is singular, you can use the words some, some. Uncountable nouns can be translated into Russian with words A little And some.

One of the translation options depends on the presence of the preposition of after the pronoun, which in this case is translated into Russian any of, any of:

Some of you have to go to the shop. - One of you should go to the store.

Did you taste any of these cakes? - Have you tried any of these cakes?

The use of some, any, no in English is very diverse; it is also translated into Russian in different combinations.

In the case below, the pronoun some can be translated as part of something: Some of the milk was used in baking. - Some of the milk was used in baking.

• In negative sentences. The question was so difficult that nobody could answer. - The question was so difficult that no one knew the answer. She asked nobody to help her. - She didn't ask anyone to help her.
• In questions. Is there anything to eat in the house? - At home There is What- someday eat? Did you go anywhere in the weekend? - Did you go anywhere on the weekend?

If you want to speak like a true Englishman, you need to constantly practice your skills and theoretical knowledge. With the help of exercises, the rules for the pronouns some, any, no are improved and memorized much more effectively.

To do this, you can test yourself and make a few examples. In this exercise you need to correctly use indefinite pronouns in the correct form:

There are … buses today and I can’t go shopping. Please don’t offer her … chips. Are there … newspapers on the table? Do you like some apples? My sister doesn’t like… carrots. Do you want…milk in your tea? There is…ham on the table. There is ... tea in the cup: the cup is empty.

If you are sure that you are using pronouns correctly, then you can begin the task on using derivative pronouns:

I know there is… wrong with my computer (something). I could hear...: it was quite noisy (nothing). Give me... to drink (something). Is there …that you want to tell me (anything)? What do you want to eat? - I’m not hungry. Don’t tell… about it (anyone). Is there ..in the office (anybody)? I saw... in the bus today who looked like me (somebody). Has … in this group got a dictionary (anybody)?

Pronouns and their derivatives are used very often in both written and spoken form. Therefore, if you did the above exercises on using some, any, no correctly, you can safely show off your knowledge of indefinite pronouns.

As you know, it is impossible to learn any language for its full use without having sufficient knowledge of the basis of this language, which is largely grammar. A good knowledge of grammar makes it possible to communicate correctly, construct sentences, correspond and, in general, gain full access to all of a particular language. Learning English may seem difficult only at first glance; grammar is quite difficult for many at first, but if you look at how many people around the world successfully learn English, you can come to the conclusion that this language is not so difficult to master. In addition, the Russian language is considered one of the most difficult in the world, and if we know Russian, then we can learn English.

Basic grammar and some important information points

In the grammar of the English language there are many important and interesting questions that require close study, and today we will talk about exactly what place the words some and any occupy in the English language and what this linguistic phenomenon represents. More precisely, we are not even talking about a design, but about a language tool that will allow you to achieve the desired effect. The words some and any are pronouns, but these pronouns are not ordinary, but "indefinite." Indefinite pronouns are always used to designate something, most often using a noun in a complex. As a rule, these words have meanings only in English, and are not even translated into Russian, but let's look at everything in order.

What are some and any needed for, how to use them and where to use them

In English, some and any are used to denote an indefinite, often small amount of something.

Most often, these indefinite pronouns act as modifiers of a noun and are placed instead of an article. The word some, as a rule, is used in affirmative sentences when it is placed before countable nouns (water is uncountable, coins are countable, that is, coins can be counted) in the plural, as well as before uncountable nouns. In this case, some will give the meaning “several” or “some”. This is easier to understand by looking at more specific examples.Examples

use of the pronoun some I've got SOME

I've got interesting books to read. – I have SEVERAL interesting books to read.

As we can see, in these two examples the pronoun some takes on different meanings – “several” and “some”. The word can be used in the same meanings not only in affirmative sentences, but also in interrogative ones.

Most often, these indefinite pronouns act as modifiers of a noun and are placed instead of an article. The word some, as a rule, is used in affirmative sentences when it is placed before countable nouns (water is uncountable, coins are countable, that is, coins can be counted) in the plural, as well as before uncountable nouns. In this case, some will give the meaning “several” or “some”. This is easier to understand by looking at more specific examples.uses and purpose of the pronoun any

The pronoun any is used, as a rule, in negative and interrogative sentences and is translated as “somewhat”, “at least some”, or is not translated into Russian at all.

When combined with the negative particle not, the pronoun any takes on the meaning “no”, which is often used in negative sentences. For example: They haven't got ANY

mistakes in this text. – They do not have ANY errors in this text.

When performing the attributive function on an uncountable noun, the pronoun any takes on the meaning “somewhat”: They haven't got Have you got

milk here? Is there milk here? (SO MUCH milk)

Close or opposite linguistic units, or simply words, are studied in linguistics with the help of semantic and other oppositions, contrasting them at different levels.

All parts of speech, which by their function are also members of a sentence and are used with nouns, which we will consider in this article, are so diverse that it will take a long time to understand them - a textbook could be written. Therefore, we will consider the most common oppositions.

Oppositions in linguistics mean the opposition of seemingly different things, which allows one to obtain unexpected results. Of course, this definition sounds almost primitive. But we won’t delve further into linguistics. We have another goal - to learn how to use them.

Let's look at some important contrasts between the words a, any and some between themselves and other parts of speech.

So, by the way, “a” is an article, “any” and “some” are . To show this to the company - they say, that’s how smart I am.

Contrast between the article “a” and the zero article

Yes, there is one in English, but not all textbooks mention it. The article “a” is used only when talking about some kind of container - bottle, jar, glass, etc. For example:

Bring me a glass of water! Many manuals write that the indefinite article is not used with various types of substances: sand, water, flour, and this is true. It is quite possible to say: Get me water! (Get some water somewhere!) - Even get it from a puddle. But if you say: Get me a beer

, then it is quite clear that we are talking about a bottle, jar or some other container. A little exercise.: in some sentences, depending on the situation, one or even both options are possible - in speech the main thing is to correctly understand the situation - it could be either packaging or water from a swamp.

Exercise 1

1. He went to look for… water.
2. Get me...beer!
3. Mary came to the convenience store to buy … pepsi.

A vs any

The contrast between the article “a” and the adjectival pronoun “any” makes virtually no sense, since they are interchangeable in meaning. As in affirmatives, so in . It’s just that the article is shorter in sound, and this explains its preference.

Some

But the subjective pronoun “some” in use is closely opposed to the adjective pronoun “any”, primarily in interrogative sentences. And this is the most important thing. Firstly, both words are to some extent determinants, i.e. words that specify language, like articles. Secondly, some of them are used only with, while others are not, if we add the indefinite article here:

Compare:

I haven’t got a car.(negative sentence, countable noun)

Have you got any aspirins? (question, plural noun)

Watch this English video that I created specifically for English learners to learn when to use the words “some” and “any” in English. These are very common words in English, but both words mean "a certain amount, a little." Let's figure out when to use what. First, I suggest you read the condensed rules for using the words “some” and “any”, and then watch a video dialogue in English in which a married couple discusses what products they have at home and which ones they need to buy, using phrases with “some” " and "any". As always, under the video itself you will find the full text of the dialogue in English so that you can easily follow the progress of the “actors” communication.

When to use "some" and when to use "any" in English

When we speak English, we often need to define the approximate amount of a substance or objects. This is what the words “some” and “any” are used for in English. Their use will depend on what types of sentences they are used in - positive or negative and interrogative. In addition, their meaning will change depending on whether we use “some” or “any” with countable or uncountable nouns. Well, let's talk about everything in order. Let's start with countable and uncountable nouns and then move on to sentence types.

Countable and uncountable nouns

All nouns are divided into two massive subgroups - countable (those that we can count) and uncountable (those that we cannot count). For example: two chairs, three cabinets, ten apples are countable nouns because we can count them or put a numeral right in front of them, but water, coffee ) or snow (snow) are examples of uncountable nouns, because we cannot say: one coffee, three snows or ten waters. To measure them, we use not only numerals, but also various measures, such as liters, mugs, glasses and meters. For example: two meters of snow, three cups of coffee or five glasses of water.

Constructing sentences with “some” and “any” in English

The general rule for using "some" and "any" is:
1) We use “some” in positive sentences;
2) We use “any” in negative and interrogative sentences;
3) We can use “” in positive sentences to mean “some, any, no matter what”.
"Some" and "any" before countable nouns in sentences
In positive sentences before countable nouns, the word "some" means "several" and the word "any" means "any, no matter which". In negative English sentences, “any” will mean the complete absence of something, someone, and in interrogative sentences, it means “at all.” For example:
I have some apples. - I have several apples.
Give me any book. - Give me any book.
Do you have any cups in your kitchen? – Do you (at all) have cups in the kitchen?
She doesn't have any textbooks. – She doesn’t have a single book.

"Some" and "any" before uncountable nouns in sentences
Before uncountables, the word “some” means “a little, some quantity” in positive sentences, and the word “any” - “any, some”. Sometimes the word “some” or “any” may not be translated into Russian, but, as a rule, it is used before uncountable nouns to show that, for example, someone drinks not all the tea in the world, but some of it. In negative sentences, “any” means “none, none, none” or “not at all”, i.e. the absence of something in questions – “in general”, i.e. For example:
She drinks some tea in the morning. – She drinks tea (a little tea) in the morning.
Will he bring any wine? – Will he bring (at all) wine?
I won't have any beer, thank you. – I won’t have (any or any) beer, thank you.
Give me any salad you have on your menu. – Give me any salad that you have on the menu. (I don't care what kind of salad you give me)

Dialogue in English: “some” and “any”

Text of the dialogue in English: The husband and wife are discussing which products they have in the house and which ones need to be purchased, and when communicating they use the words “some” and “any”.
- Honey, we don't have any sugar.
- We have some sugar darling. It's in the cupboard.
- Ah, OK. Do we have any eggs? I would like to make some omellette.
- There are some eggs in the fridge, I think.
- Is there any milk in the fridge?
- No, there isn't any milk at all. We need to buy some milk.
- OK. What about flour? Do we have any flour?
- Yes, we do. We have some flour in the cupboard. But we don't have any salt. And there isn't any oil too.
- OK, I'll go shopping and buy some oil, some salt, and some milk. I won't buy any eggs, any flour and any sugar.
- Thank you darling. You are always so helpful. That's why I love you!

On the website of my English language school you will find many free materials for learning English:

A pronoun is a part of a construction that indicates speech to an object or its affiliation and quality, but does not name it. Some pronouns are used frequently, while others are used rarely. In this topic we will study the most complex and frequently used pronouns some any, the rules of use in various sentence structures and the main word forms.

This topic is easy to understand if you learn everything in a certain sequence, in which we tried to present our explanation. We hope that after our lesson this topic will become clear to adults and children. The first place to start is the group to which these pronouns belong.

Some and Any are indefinite pronouns because their derivatives do not express anything specific. In other words, this can be translated into Russian as “someone”, “nothing”, “some” and the like.

Before talking about the use of word forms that are formed from these pronouns, the first step is to learn the stem.

The pronouns some any can play the role of adjectives and nouns in construction. In the first case, they go in conjunction with the same noun, and in the second, they are used separately. Indefinite pronouns have different meanings, which we will talk about a little later. Any is used in interrogative, negative and conditional constructions. Some is used in affirmative constructions.

Examples:

I have some cups. Do you need? - I have several cups. You need? (Affirmative, like an adjective).

He asked if I had any interesting DVD disks. - He asked if I had any interesting CDs. (Conventional, like an adjective).

The buyers want to get some models of our dresses, we send them some. - Buyers want to see several models of our dresses. We sent them a few. (Affirmative, like a noun).

I didn't buy matches. Have you got any? - I didn’t buy matches. Do you have several? (Interrogative as a noun).

Below is a table that outlines the main meanings of these indefinite pronouns.

Some any rules of use in the table:

Thus, we got acquainted with the main cases of using the basics. The main thing to remember is that any is used in interrogative and negative constructions, and some in affirmative ones. In order not to be confused about the meaning, pay attention to the meaning of the construction.

Using any with no and none

Using any with no is easier to learn. It is used in both the plural and singular as an adjective before a noun. If the construction contains no, no further negation is required. Without a noun no is not used, none is used instead. Also, after no, an article is not required before the noun. In addition, this part of the construction is used before the subject to enhance the meaning of the statement - none, none.

Examples:

No girl has been there yet. - No girl has ever been here before.

I have no bag (= I haven’t a bag). - I don't have a bag.

Is there a theater in your town? - No, there is none.

- There is a theater in your city. - No.

We had no time. - We didn't have time.

Examples:

Note the difference between not and no. We use not for a verb, and no before a noun.. = There is no information in the file There is not any information in the file

. – There is no information in the file.. = There are no pupils in the classroom There are not any pupils in the classroom

. - There are no students in the class. I have no telephone at home. = I have not got a telephone at home

. – I don’t have a phone at home.

You can use any option that you like best. But you should not mix them, since in a correctly composed British construction there is only one negative.

This concludes the study of the basic rules for using some, any and no. It's time to move on to their word forms.

Somebody, anybody, nobody/ anyone, someone, no one - all these words are used as nouns and are translated into Russian as no one, someone, no one, anyone. Simply put, they replace animate nouns.

Anybody in sentences expressing negation is translated - no one, no one. Nobody has two negatives in Russian.

Examples:

Nobody called him yesterday. - Nobody called him yesterday.

Is anybody at home? - There isn’t anybody at home. - Is anybody home? - Nobody is at home.

Somebody is waiting for you. - Someone is waiting for you.

Indefinite pronouns and thing

Anything, something, nothing, as in the previous case, act as a noun, however, these words are applicable only to inanimate objects. In translation into Russian it means something, something. Anything in negative constructions is translated as nothing, and sentences with nothing in Russian have two negatives.

Examples:

Nothing was done. - Nothing was done.

Is there anything in the envelope? - Is there anything in the envelope?

Something has fallen. - Something fell.

Indefinite pronouns and where

This is how adverbs are formed. They are translated into Russian as nowhere, somewhere, nowhere, somewhere. Their use corresponds to the use of basic forms.

Examples:

Where did you go? - Nowhere. - Where did you go. Nowhere.

Tomorrow I will fly somewhere with my boss. - Tomorrow I will fly somewhere with the boss.

Is she going anywhere? - Is she going somewhere?

Indefinite pronouns and of

When we use the pronouns in question with of, we are talking about some part of the whole. However, nobody, no one, anybody, anyone are not used with of. In the first two cases they are replaced with none, and in the second - any of in the meaning of any of. Instead of somebody, one of is used.

Examples:

None of them came to me after the accident. - None of them came to me after the accident.

One of you should tell the truth. - One of you must tell the truth.

Any of us can go there. - Any of us can go there.

Some of my friends speak English. - Some of my friends speak English.

Small tricks to help you learn English

In some cases with nobody, anybody, somebody, someone the possessive case is used. For example, somebody's hat - someone's hat.

Standing in first place and fulfilling the role of the subject, these parts of the construction (nobody, no one, nothing, anybody, anyone, anything, somebody, something) require the use of a 3rd person singular verb after themselves.

After nobody, no one, nothing, anybody, anyone, anything, somebody, something, else is also often used. For example, anything else - anything else?

The use of several more definite pronouns much and many

We will briefly touch on the section – use in the construction much and many . They are translated as “many” and indicate a large amount of something.

Much is used with nouns that we cannot count:

Many is used with countable nouns.

Many cookies, many cats, many men.

This is the difference between much and many in the rules of use.

This concludes the analysis of the topic. As you can see, with the right approach, this topic will be understandable even for a child. Learn and practice making some any constructions with pronouns in English.