Some and Any: Quantifiers: A1 Exercises

Every answer with the reason behind it. Read the explanation for the ones you got right as well — that is where you find out whether you were right for the right reason.

Multiple choice questions — answers

1. There are ___ apples in the bowl. → some

A positive statement takes some, whether the noun is countable or uncountable.

2. We haven't got ___ milk left. → any

A negative sentence takes any.

3. Have you got ___ brothers or sisters? → any

An ordinary question asking for information takes any.

4. Would you like ___ coffee? → some

Offers use some, because the speaker expects the answer to be yes.

5. I need ___ help with this suitcase. → some

This is a positive statement, so some is correct — and help is uncountable, so a is impossible.

6. There isn't ___ sugar in my tea. → any

Isn't makes the sentence negative, so it takes any.

7. Could I have ___ water, please? → some

A request takes some, exactly as an offer does.

8. Are there ___ messages for me? → any

A question asking for information takes any.

9. She bought ___ bread on the way home. → some

A positive statement with an uncountable noun takes some. Bread cannot take a.

10. Which sentence is correct? → I have some money.

A positive statement takes some, and money is uncountable so it never takes a.

11. There's ___ in the corridor. I heard a voice. → somebody

The compounds follow the same rule: a positive statement takes somebody.

12. I didn't buy ___ at the market. → anything

A negative sentence takes anything, not something.

13. Is there ___ I can do to help? → anything

A genuine question takes anything.

14. Would you like ___ to drink? → something

This is an offer, so it takes something despite being a question.

15. We don't need ___ more chairs. → any

Don't makes it negative, so the quantifier is any.

16. There are ___ beautiful beaches near the town. → some

A positive statement with a countable plural takes some.

17. Have we got ___ eggs for the cake? → any

This is a question checking the facts, so any is correct.

18. Which offer sounds natural in English? → Would you like some cake?

Offers take some, because any implies you doubt there is any to give.

19. I looked everywhere but I couldn't find ___. → anything

Couldn't makes the clause negative, so the compound is anything.

20. ___ phoned while you were out. → Somebody

This is a positive statement, so it takes somebody.

Fill-in-the-blank questions — answers

1. There are ___ biscuits in the tin if you're hungry. → some

A positive statement takes some, with countable and uncountable nouns alike.

2. I haven't got ___ change for the machine. → any

Haven't makes the sentence negative, so the quantifier is any.

3. Are there ___ cafés open at this hour? → any

An ordinary question asking for information takes any.

4. Would you like ___ more soup? → some

This is an offer, and offers take some however they are phrased.

5. We bought ___ cheese and olives at the market. → some

A positive statement with uncountable and plural nouns takes some.

6. There isn't ___ hot water this morning. → any

Isn't makes it negative, so any is the only possibility.

7. Could you lend me ___ money until Friday? → some

A request takes some, in the same way an offer does.

8. Has the postman brought ___ letters today? → any

A question checking the facts takes any.

9. She never eats ___ meat, only fish. → any

Never already makes the sentence negative, so it takes any.

10. I've made ___ sandwiches for the journey. → some

A positive statement with a countable plural takes some.

11. Is there ___ in the bathroom? The door is locked. → anybody

A genuine question takes the any- compound.

12. ___ left a message for you at reception. → Somebody

A positive statement takes the some- compound.

13. I didn't say ___ about the meeting. → anything

Didn't makes the clause negative, so the compound is anything.

14. There's ___ wrong with the printer again. → something

A positive statement takes something, even when the news is bad.

15. Would you like ___ to eat before you go? → something

This is an offer, so it takes the some- compound despite being a question.

16. We haven't heard ___ from the agency yet. → anything

Haven't makes the sentence negative, so the compound is anything.

17. Take ___ fruit with you for the train. → some

An imperative offering or urging something takes some rather than any.

18. Do you know ___ who speaks Arabic? → anybody

This is a real question about the facts, so it takes the any- compound.

19. There were ___ interesting paintings in the exhibition. → some

A positive statement with a countable plural takes some.

20. He didn't have ___ good reason for being late. → any

Didn't makes the sentence negative, so the quantifier is any.

Sentence structure: word ordering — answers

1. Tell somebody that post has arrived. → There are some letters for you.

Tell somebody that post has arrived.

2. Report that a kitchen supply has run out. → We haven't got any coffee left.

Report that a kitchen supply has run out.

3. Offer a visitor a hot drink. → Would you like some tea?

Offer a visitor a hot drink.

4. Ask about availability on a journey. → Are there any seats on the train?

Ask about availability on a journey.

5. Ask for assistance with an uncountable noun. → I need some help with the shopping.

Ask for assistance with an uncountable noun.

6. Say what a woman failed to purchase. → She didn't buy any vegetables.

Say what a woman failed to purchase.

7. Make a polite request in a restaurant. → Could I have some water, please?

Make a polite request in a restaurant.

8. Announce a visitor you have not identified. → There is somebody at the door.

Announce a visitor you have not identified.

9. Ask a new acquaintance about their family. → Have you got any brothers?

Ask a new acquaintance about their family.

10. List two uncountable foods you purchased. → We bought some bread and cheese.

List two uncountable foods you purchased.

11. Complain about a disorganised kitchen. → I can't find anything in this cupboard.

Complain about a disorganised kitchen.

12. Check whether a drink is available at home. → Is there any milk in the fridge?

Check whether a drink is available at home.

13. Report a small theft without naming anybody. → Somebody has taken my umbrella.

Report a small theft without naming anybody.

14. Offer food to a guest. → Would you like something to eat?

Offer food to a guest.

15. Explain a gap in the weekend timetable. → There aren't any buses on Sunday.

Explain a gap in the weekend timetable.

16. Describe useful guidance you received. → He gave me some very good advice.

Describe useful guidance you received.

17. Ask a newcomer about their contacts. → Do you know anybody in this city?

Ask a newcomer about their contacts.

18. Tell a teacher you need information. → I have some questions about the course.

Tell a teacher you need information.

19. Report that nothing strange happened. → We didn't see anything unusual.

Report that nothing strange happened.

20. Urge somebody to bring food with them. → Take some sandwiches for the journey.

Urge somebody to bring food with them.