SOME and ANY (2)

Advanced aspects

Here are some further exceptions to the basic rules on “some” and “any”


Exceptions
In addition to the cases described on the opposite page we also
use “any” (or words beginning with “any-”) in positive statements
if we mean “it doesn’t matter which or who”:

♥ Anyone can learn to use this program – it doesn’t require
any special talent.
♥ You can write your report about anything.

In this meaning of arbitrariness, “any” is used not
only with plural nouns and uncountable nouns, but also
with singular countable nouns:
♥ I can recommend any dish on the menu – they’re all excellent.
♥ We’ll hire any candidate who has a family to support.

When referring to an unknown person or thing, we can use
“some” with singular countable nouns, too. Note that this usage
is often considered less polite than a simple article “a/an”:
♥ There’s some women on the phone for you. (I don’t know who
she is)
♥ He’s from some country in eastern Europe (I don’t know
which country)


Assertion
There are many situations in which both “some” and “any” are
possible. The choice of world in many cases indicates the expectations
of the speaker. To give an example, the following sentence
signals that the speaker is not necessarily expecting calls
and is simply covering all possibilities:
♥ If anyone phone, please ask them to call back later.

If the speaker thinks call are likely, he or she is more likely to say:
♥ If someone phones, please ask them to call back later.

Other examples:
♥ Call me before you do anything. (no actions specifically expected,
all possible future actions covered)
♥ Call me before you do something. (specific action expected)
♥ Can anyone help me with this? (no expectation, just hope of help)
♥ Can someone help me with this? (expectation, specific request for help)
♥ You can come any time after 2 p.m. (focus on range of time available)
♥You can come some time after 2 p.m (focus on restriction of available time

Create Date : 09 พฤษภาคม 2550		2 comments
Last Update : 9 พฤษภาคม 2550 21:24:07 น.
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