Any in interrogative sentences. The rule of using indefinite pronouns some and any in English. Contrasting the article "a" and the zero article
IN English language these words belong to the category of pronouns (Pronouns). You have probably already met them. How is it correct to use these words, as well as their derivatives (somebody, anything, nowhere)?
Rule #1
The usage depends on the type of sentence - affirmative, negative or interrogative.
As you can see, these words are used equally with both countable and uncountable nouns, but they will be translated into Russian a little differently. For example:
I have some books in my bag. - I have in my bag several books.
I have some money in my purse. - I have in my wallet a little money.
Ben doesn't have any pens. - Ben doesn't. none pens.
There isn't any milk in the fridge. - In a refrigerator not at all milk.
Do you have any questions? - You have any questions?
Do you have any flour? - You have any flour?
Rule #2
There are 2 cases when the word some is used in an interrogative sentence.
- Request (request):
Could you lend me some money? - Could you lend me a little money?
- Offer (offer):
Would you like some water? - You do not want a little water?
Rule #3
Also the word some can be used to mean "some". In this case, it must be followed by a preposition of and either the definite article the, or a possessive pronoun ( my, her...). For example:
Some of my friends play football. Some of my friends play football.
Word any can also be used in the sense of "any, anyone". In this case, it can be put in an affirmative sentence. For example:
take any of these oranges. - Take any of these oranges.
Rule #4
Negation in which the word is usually used any, is not always formed using auxiliary verb. For this, various words that carry a negative meaning can be used. For example:
She never does any housework. - They are never does not no housework.
Peter has read hardly any books in his life. – Peter hardly read some books for my life.
Rule #5
The pronoun no can only be used in negation, more precisely, it itself makes the sentence negative. Since in English there can be only one negation in a sentence (we cannot say, as in Russian, “I don’t know anything”), the sentence will be built as follows:
He has no problems. - He doesn't have none problems.
As you can see, the sentence has the same structure as the affirmative, but it carries a negative meaning. This proposal can be formulated in another way:
He doesn't have any problems. - He doesn't have none problems.
Pronoun used here any, which, as you already know, is used in negations.
Rule #6
All three pronouns can be derived. They are found in speech very often and you, too, have probably already seen them. For example, in song titles: Somebody that I used to know” by Gotye – “ Someone who I knew” or “Takes me nowhere”of the Offspring team –“ nowhere will not lead me" (translation option - " To nothing won't take me).
First, we need to understand how derivatives are formed.
Note that derived words denoting people and things will be classified as pronouns, and denoting places will be classified as adverbs (Adverbs). Words somebody / somebody are synonyms, but someone used somewhat more frequently. Words no one is the only pronoun in this group that is written separately.
The rules for use here are similar to the above:
Statement:
Somebody has just entered the room. - Someone just entered the room.
Something strange happened last week. - Happened last week something strange.
I need somewhere to leave my personal belongings. - I need somewhere leave my personal belongings.
Negation:
I didn't see anyone in the library yesterday. - I was in the library yesterday. nobody have not seen.
I saw nobody in the library yesterday. - I was in the library yesterday. nobody have not seen.
Don't let anyone leave the class. - Do not let nobody leave the class.
I can't see your glasses anywhere. - I nowhere I don't see your glasses.
Question:
Have you told anyone? - You said someone?
Do you have anything interesting to read? - You have anything interesting to read?
Derivatives from some can also be used in requests and suggestions:
Would you like something to drink? - Want to something drink?
Can I have something to drink? - Can I something drink?
Also, derivatives of some can be used in questions if the speaker assumes an affirmative answer:
Are you watching something on TV at the moment? - Are you looking now? something on TV?
Like just a word any, its derivatives can be used in the values " any anyone, anything, anywhere."
It's very easy-ask anyone! - It's very simple - just ask any!
Dear readers, you often ask us questions and ask for help. We are happy to help everyone, check your assignments and create articles with explanations. Lately, we have received several emails asking us to explain how to use the words some, any, no in sentences. According to your requests, keep the long-awaited article! If you are not always sure what you are using some, any, no If so, then you will definitely need this information.
Any- a determiner that implies a certain amount, is used with countable and uncountable nouns when a specific amount is not important or it is not necessary to indicate it. Any used in interrogative sentences any; any amount; some), but, as a rule, it is not translated into Russian. As well as any found in negative sentences (none, none, none), where it can be translated into Russian:
Have you got any questions? - Do you have (any, any) questions?
Did you buy any milk? - Have you bought (any; any quantity) milk?
Were there any celebrities? - Were there (any, any) celebrities?
I cannot see any pictures. - I don't see (any) pictures.
We have not read any letters. We haven't read (any) letters.
There is not any furniture in the room. - There is no (no) furniture in the room.
no- a determinant that denotes the complete absence of something. Used in negative sentences. no is a stronger determinant than not any, conveys the idea of absence more emphatically, although both sentences are translated into Russian in the same way:
Usually, countable nouns in the plural, uncountable nouns are used after no, but in certain contexts it is also possible to use no with singular countable nouns:
I have got no friends. - I have no friends.
She has no husband. - She doesn't have a husband.
Having a sentence with the word some, you can form its interrogative form (with any) and two negative sentences (c no And not any). If this topic is new to you, then at first you will still think about what word to use, but in the future you will learn how to build different types statements automatically:
We introduced you to the basics of using the words some, any, no. However, that's not all. There are some more nuances, you can say exceptions, which you also do not hurt to remember.
As stated above, some most often used in affirmative sentences. Exceptions are interrogative sentences in which something is offered or asked:
Do you mind if ...?
Can I have some...?
Would you like...?
Would you like some tea? - Would you like (some) tea?
Do you mind if I take some cake? - Do you mind if I take (some) cake?
Can I have some water? - Can I have (some) water?
Some is also used in questions when they expect a "Yes" answer, and to make it clear that they are waiting for an affirmative answer:
In addition to indefinite quantity, some denotes the indefiniteness of the subject itself (some) when used with a count noun. If you want to show that an object or person is unknown or of little interest to you, do it with the help of the word some:
As it turned out, some can be found in the question. May be, any used in affirmative sentences? Yes, it is used. But not in all, but in some cases.
Any is used in, after if:
If you have any questions, just ask me. - If you have any questions, just ask me.
If they leave any messages, you must inform me. - If they leave any messages, you must inform me.
Any is used in statements to mean "any", "whatever", "doesn't matter which" to emphasize the idea of free choice:
You can choose any dress, it will be my present for you. - You can choose any dress, it will be my gift.
If you do not know the way to the laboratory, ask any student. - If you do not know how to get to the laboratory - ask any student.
If any is used in this sense, it is emphasized in the sentence.
After words with a negative meaning: never, hardly, without is used any, not some:
That's all you need to know about words some, any, no. Of course, each of these words has additional features, but we will talk about them in our next publications.
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The English language is increasingly penetrating into all cultures, enters our lives and occupies a considerable place in it. The modern world every day requires self-development from a person, and knowledge of foreign languages is included in this list. To speak English is to know and correctly use its basic constructions, taking into account all the nuances, which are many.
For some, a few memorized phrases in English may be enough, but in order to competently and fluently speak a foreign language, you need to study all its features, face its difficulties and understand the whole mechanism of its existence. And even such small particles as some, any, no, the rule of which is used differently in different cases, are important for English.
Pronouns in English
A pronoun is a word that refers to an object or its attribute, but does not name it. In English, there are several groups of pronouns, each of which has its own rules and features of use. One of the main groups is These include I, he, she, it, we, you, they, as well as the same pronouns in the objective case. The second group - It includes that, this and their forms into Possessive pronouns are my, his, her, its, our, you're and theirs. And a large place among these groups is occupied by pronouns some, any, no. The rule for each of the groups is different, but in general they create a system that is an integral part of the English language.
pronoun some
Some in English means "some", "several", "some". This pronoun is mostly used in affirmative sentences. For example:
I have some books. - I have some books.
You buy some buns. - You bought some buns.
About the nuances of use some, any, no the rule says that the first can be used in interrogative sentences if they are talking about a proposal or a request.
Would you like some milk? - Would you like some milk?
Give me, please, some water. - Give me some water, please.
With a wide variety of interpretations, the question may arise: when how to understand the translation of this word? That is why English is so varied. Some, any- there is a rule for any case of their use. If the pronoun some characterizes something in the singular, then it is translated as "some", and if in the plural, then "several". But if it is a plural uncountable, then the translation will sound like “a little”.
pronoun any
Some or any- the rule of their translation is almost the same. Pronoun any although it has its own nuances of use, it is generally interpreted like the previous pronoun, namely “some”, “several”, “some”. Also any can be used in the meaning of "any". Much is the same when applied some or any. The rule says that they must be used before the noun they characterize.
Have you got any juice? - Do you have any juice? (some juice)
I don't have any ideas. - I don't have any ideas.
Any usually used in negative and interrogative sentences. If this pronoun is combined with a particle not, then it will have the value "none". Also any often not translated at all.
She didn't make any mistakes in her test. - She didn't make any mistakes in the test.
Have you got any books here? - Do you have any books here?
Pronoun no
no translated as "not at all", "none". This pronoun occurs exclusively in negative sentences and is used with all nouns in the singular and plural. the main task no- to indicate the absence of something or someone.
I have no money today. - I have no money today.
There are no information in the newspaper. - There is no information in the newspaper.
Between not And no there is a big difference: the former is used for the verb, the latter before the noun.
Some, any - rule, derived table
Thanks to the above pronouns, you can create other words when talking about things, places or people. Some, any, no- the rule of their use allows you to combine them with other particles and get new pronouns. The English language is so multifaceted that even such operations are possible in it. But for their competent implementation, deep, fundamental knowledge is required.
| some + | any + | No+ | |
| Things | Something | Anything | Nothing |
| People | Somebody, somebody | Anybody, anyone | Nobody, no one |
| Places | Somewhere | Anywhere |
Rules for using derivatives of some, any, no
The rule for using derivatives of these pronouns is simple, but still worth attention for building literate speech.
- Derivatives from these pronouns are used when the speech does not indicate where, what or who performs the action.
- For a short answer, the forms nobody, nothing, or nowhere are suitable. They also need to be used when the affirmative form, but the task is to build a negative sentence.
- Somebody, nobody are equivalent in meaning to someone, no one. They are applied according to the same rules, and the meaning of the sentence does not change from such a replacement.
- Anybody, anything, anywhere should be used with negative verbs or in questions.
Usage table
Pronouns some, any- a rule, a table of their use - all this needs to be learned and put into practice for assimilation.
The English language is rich in grammatical structures, and you need to know all of them to speak the language at a high level. Pronouns some, any, no occupy one part of a hundred, but these structures need to be paid attention to. Like Russian, English has various word forms that make it richer and brighter. The derivatives of these pronouns play the same important role as their stems, creating new concepts and meanings. These rules need to be honed, regularly created examples of their use, taught and understood. English seems complicated when you expect its grammar to be too simple. But in fact, if you make an effort, all these designs will be remembered quickly and without difficulty.
As you probably know, a pronoun is a part of speech that indicates an object or its belonging and quality, but does not name it. English pronouns subdivided into, possessive, indefinite, interrogative, reflexive,. The pronouns discussed in this post are indefinite pronouns, of which there are quite a lot in English, but in this post we will focus on some, any, no . Indefinite pronoun no some also call it a negative pronoun. The words some, any, no are translated into Russian as follows:
- Some - some, some, how much (a certain amount), several, some
- Any - some, some, some, any
- No - none, not at all
The indefinite pronouns some and any, as well as their derivatives, denoting an indefinite quantity or quality of something, can be applied to various nouns, regardless of their number.
Google shortcode
For example:
- She has some problems - she has some problems
- May I take some sugar? – Can I have some sugar?
- Has he any relation? Does he have any relatives?
- I can meet you any time you wish - I can meet you at any time
To learn how to use some, any correctly in your speech and writing, you need to remember the following simple rules.
pronoun some
Indefinite pronoun some mostly used in affirmative sentences.
- There is some water in the cup - there is some water in the cup
- There is some person in the hall - there is some person in the hall
- I have some plums - I have a few plums
In interrogative sentences some is used only in two cases: if we offer something to someone And if we ask for something.
- Would you like some chocolate? - Would you like some chocolate?
- Can I have some salt, please? — Can I have some salt, please?
Word some translated into Russian in different ways, depending on what nouns it is combined with. In combination with singular countable nouns, we translate some as “some”, if countable nouns are in the plural, then “several”, and if some is used with uncountable nouns, then it can be translated into Russian as “ a little" or not to translate, depending on the context.
- There is some book on the desk. Is it yours? - There is a book on the table. Is it yours?
- I have some pens, I can give you one. — I have several pens, I can give you one.
- There is some milk in the bottle, but not much. There is milk in the bottle, but not much.
- take two eggs and some flour. - Take 2 eggs and some flour.
pronoun any
Indefinite pronoun any functions some in interrogative and negative sentences.
Any can also be used in an affirmative sentence, but in such cases its meaning will be " any, any, any ».
- Any person wants to be happy - any person wants happiness
- You may call me any time - you can call me any time
Pronoun no
Regarding the negative or indefinite pronoun no, it can be combined with any nouns, regardless of their number, if it appears in a negative sentence as a definition, and denotes absence of something:
- There are no mistakes in your dictation - there are (no) mistakes in your dictation
- I have no problems - I don't have any problems
- Please note that negation can be expressed either by the combination " not any", or the pronoun " no«: There is not anybody in the street - There is nobody in the street.
Let's talk about the use of the pronouns some, any, no, as well as their derivatives. You can perform exercises on working out this topic in the article.
Briefly rules for using some, any, no can be reduced to the following statements:
- In affirmative sentences we use some;
- In interrogative sentences we use any;
- In negative sentences with not we use any;
- No has the meaning "none" and makes the sentence negative.
But these are only basic rules that do not give a complete picture, so let's talk about each pronoun and their derivatives separately.
The use of some.
Some translates as a few, some, some .
The pronoun some is used:
- with uncountable (which cannot be counted) English nouns in meaning "a little'
There is some pure water in the bottle. There is some pure water in the bottle.
- with countable (which can be counted) plural nouns in the meaning 'several' or 'some'
Some students prepared interesting reports. Several students (some students) have prepared interesting reports.
- with countable English nouns in the singular in the meaning ‘any one’
Some girl has just called you. Some girl just called you.
Some and its derivatives (see table below) are most often used in affirmative sentences. However, they can also be used in interrogative structures:
- to express a request or suggestion
Would you like something to drink? - Will you drink?
Can I have some warm milk? - Can I have some warm milk?
- when we assume an affirmative answer to our question.
Are you doing something at the moment? Are you busy with something right now?
Some can be used with the preposition of to mean some of. But after the preposition, the noun must be preceded by either a definite article or a demonstrative or possessive pronoun.
Some of my relations live in Brest. — Some of my relatives live in Brest.
Some of the girls were not properly dressed. Some of the girls were not dressed very well.
Let's summarize with a table:
Using the pronoun Any
Any and its derivatives are used mainly in negative and interrogative sentences:
I'm glad that you haven't any problems with your studies. I'm glad you don't have any problems with your studies.
Has anyone called me? - Did anyone call me?
Any and its derivatives can also be used in affirmative constructions in the following situations:
- in the meaning of anyone, anyone, anything, anywhere, etc.
Anyone can tell you her name. “Anyone can tell you her name.
You may use anything you need. - You can use whatever you need.
- in subordinate clauses after if.
I wonder if they found anybody there. I wonder if they found anyone there.
Let me know if you have any trouble. - If there are any problems, let me know.
- after the following words that have a negative meaning:
Hardly - hardly, almost not
Scarcely - hardly, almost not
Never - never
Without - without, without doing something
Seldom - rare
Rarely - occasionally
little, few - few
to refuse - refuse
Sally seldom talks to anyone. Sally rarely talks to anyone.
Fred could hardly see anything in that dark room - Fred could hardly see anything in that dark room.
Any can be used with the preposition of to mean any:
You can catch any of these trams. They all go to Lake Komsomol - You can ride any of these trams. All of them go to Komsomolskoye Lake.
However, the compound pronouns anyone, anything, anybody are not used with the preposition of.
You can't say:
Anyone of these managers can be appointed director. – Any of these managers can be appointed director.
Can:
Any of these managers can be appointed director.
After complex pronouns and adverbs, the adverb else can be used - in the meaning else, except.
anybody / anyone else - anyone else
anything else - something else
anywhere else - somewhere else
Have you got anything else to tell me? “Is there anything else you want to tell me?”
The indefinite pronouns anybody, anyone MAY take the possessive ending.
I don't want to get anyone's help. I don't want to accept anyone's help.
If the pronoun is used in combination with the adverb else, the possessive case takes this adverb.
Did you notice anybody else's tracks there? Did you notice any other footprints there?
To summarize what has been said
The use of the pronoun no.
The pronoun no is used before any nouns. The use of the pronoun no makes the sentence negative.
note
No \u003d not a + noun in singular. including
No = not... any + plural countable noun number / uncountable noun
Has no CD player. = Has not a CD player. He doesn't have a CD player.
I found no books on Art in this library. = I did not find any books on Art in this library. I didn't find art books in this library.
If the noun plays the role of the subject in the sentence, then it can only be preceded by no (none, none), and not not ... but / not ... any.
No student has failed this difficult exam. Not a single student failed this difficult exam.
No has the following derivatives: nobody = no one - nobody, nothing - nothing, nowhere - nowhere. Since the pronoun and its derivatives have a negative meaning, the verb-predicate in the sentence must be in the affirmative form.
I've heard nothing about this man. - I haven't heard anything about this man.
When they entered the room, they saw nobody there. When they entered the room, they did not see anyone there.
When nobody, no one, and nothing are the subject, the verb is singular.
Nobody has seen him since Sunday. Nobody has seen him since Sunday.
There is nothing personal in the note. There is nothing personal in this note.
The preposition of cannot be used after the pronouns nobody and no one. The expression none of is translated as none of.
Derivatives from some, any, no.
Let's look at the main derivatives of some, any, no.
Derivatives from the pronoun some, any, no are used independently without subsequent nouns and play the role of a subject or object in a sentence.
Someone should help him. “Someone has to help him.
However, the compound pronouns someone, somebody. Something and others are never used with the preposition of,
You can't say:
Somebody of my friends like rock music.
After complex pronouns and adverbs, the adverb else can be used - in the meaning of more, except for (somebody else, someone else, something else, somewhere else).
I don't know how to get there. Ask someone else. “I don't know how to get there. Ask someone else.
Derived pronouns take the possessive case ending:
I have found someone's purse. - I found someone's wallet.
