Some and Any

'Some', 'any' and the zero article can all stand before plural or uncountable nouns. Each performs a role comparable to that of a/an before a singular noun. For example:

• Can I have a banana? [One banana, but any one is okay.]
• Can I have some bananas? [More than one banana, but any small group is okay.]

The difference between some and 'no article':

The zero article and 'some' often differ very little in meaning. 'Some', however, is chosen when a limited number or amount is meant, where the exact quantity is either unknown or deliberately left unstated.

'Some' means 'a certain number of' or 'a certain amount of'. It is not used when the noun is meant generally, as a category. With 'some', the exact quantity goes unstated, though it could be established if required. For example:

• Can you buy some milk? [The exact quantity is unstated, but a certain amount of milk is meant, not all the milk in the world.]

The zero article, by contrast, is used when quantity is not in view. It presents the noun as a category rather than as a certain amount of something:

• We need Ø milk to make pancakes. [I'm thinking about milk as a category. I'm not thinking about a certain amount of milk.]

More examples:

• We need to buy Ø coffee [I'm talking about coffee as a category, not thinking about the amount].
• Would you like some coffee? [I mean a certain amount of coffee, probably a cup.]
• I ate some bread [I mean a certain amount of bread].
• I ate Ø bread [not pasta or rice].

In many contexts the choice makes little practical difference:

• Do you want Ø tea? [I'm not thinking about the amount.]
• Do you want some tea? [I'm thinking about the amount, but the meaning is really the same as the first sentence.]

The difference between some and any:

'Any' generally works as 'some' does, referring to a certain amount or number. Both are normally restricted to plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns, and are not usually found with singular countable nouns.

'Some' normally occurs in affirmative sentences, 'any' in negatives and questions:

• She bought some tomatoes [positive sentence].
• She didn't buy any tomatoes [negative sentence].
• Did she buy any tomatoes [question]?

There are, however, exceptions.

1. 'Any' occurs in affirmative sentences with the sense 'it does not matter which'. Used in this way it most often accompanies singular countable nouns:

• You can take any bus.
• Pass me any glass.
• Come over any Sunday.

2. 'Any' also occurs in affirmative sentences carrying a negative sense, for instance those containing 'never', 'hardly' or 'without':

• She never eats any fruit.
• We hardly watch any television.
• Renata left the house without any money.

3. 'Some' occurs in questions where the answer is expected to be 'yes'. This is very common in offers and requests:

• Would you like some coffee?
• Do you want some sandwiches?
• Could you give me some help?
• Could you pass me some sugar?

Compare the following two sentences:

• Do you have any letters for me? [A genuine question. I do not know whether there are any letters.]
• Do you have some letters for me? [I believe there are, and I expect the answer 'yes'.]