The words some and any are used for countable and uncountable nouns. In general, we could say that some means a few / a little and any means none in negative clauses or a few / a little in questions. Positive Clauses In positive clauses, we usually use some. Example: I have bought some bread. I have bought some apples. Negative Clauses In negative clauses, we use any. Note, however, that any alone is not a negative - it must be not . any Example: I have not bought any bread. I have not bought any apples. Questions In questions, we usually use any. Example: Have you bought any bread? Have you bought any apples? Compound Words with some & any Some & any can also be part of compound words such as: • something / anything • someone / anyone • somewhere / anywhere Note that some & any have to be used with a noun while compound words with some & any can stand on their own. Example: I have bought some bread. I have bought something. However, some and any need not stand directly before the noun. Sometimes, the noun appears somewhere before some or any and is not repeated. So if you are not sure whether to use some or something for example, check if there is a noun in the sentence that you can place after some. Example: I do not have to buy bread. Rachel has already bought some [bread]. Exceptions Positive Clauses with Any We usually use some in positive clauses. But after never, without, hardly, we use any. Example: We never go anywhere. She did her homework without any help. There’s hardly anyone here. . any apples? Compound Words with some & any Some & any can also be part of compound words such as: • something / anything • someone / anyone • somewhere. have bought something. However, some and any need not stand directly before the noun. Sometimes, the noun appears somewhere before some or any and is not