Some, any and every; some, any, every + -body / -one, -thing and -where (intermediate level)

A  Some is used in affirmative sentences: I want some sugar. It is also used in questions when we expect a positive reply, or are offering or requesting something:
      Would you like some tea?
      May I have some coffee?
      Are there some mice? I think I've just seen one.

 

B  Any is used in negative and interrogative sentences: Did you sell any onions? In the affirmative, it means "any of them will do".
      I don't want any milk.
      You can take any lighter you like. (ie, you may choose the one you want)

 

C  Have a look at the table below:

countable nouns uncountable nouns singular: a / an* plural: some / any  some / any

*A is followed by a consonant sound, and an, by a vowel sound:       I have a cat.       He has an apple.

 

D  The compounds of some and any have the same rules as some and any:
      I have seen somebody.
      Have you seen anybody?
      I have not seen anybody.

 

E  We cannot make two negatives in the same clause:
      I saw nothing.
      I did not see anything.
      *I did not see nothing is incorrect.

 

F  When the sense is general, do not use some or any:
      I don't like meat.
      They love fast cars.
      Fruit is very good for the human body.

 

G  Every means 'all':
      I go there every day.
      Everybody enjoyed the party.
      Everything went wrong.
      She has been everywhere in the world.

 

     EXERCISES

 

1   Write some, any, a, an or — in the spaces provided.

a   There isn't __________ butter, but there's __________ cheese.
b   __________ milk is white.
c   May I have __________ apple juice?
d   'Is there __________ water left?' 'No, there isn't.'
e   Would you like __________ of these oranges?
f   There are __________ men, but there aren't __________ women.
g   Would you like __________ banana?
h   Could I have __________ sugar?
i   We haven't got __________ rice.
j   I'd like to have __________ apricot, but there aren't __________.
k   __________ dolphins are very intelligent.
l   I hate __________ skirts.

 

2   Fill in the gaps with somebody, anybody, something, anything, somewhere, anywhere, nobody, nothing, nowhere, every, everything, everybody, everywhere, some, any, a or an.

a   The police were looking for him, but he was __________ to be found.
b   __________ guests did not come to the party.
c   They treat me very well __________ time I visit them.
d   __________ loves me. I feel very miserable.
e   I want to buy __________ bread, but the baker hasn't got __________.
f   He is beloved by __________ in the village. He's always trying to help people.
g   I saw __________ at the window a moment ago. There must be __________ in the house.
h   He doesn't know __________ about cars.
i   I don't think there is __________ who can drive a lorry.
j   I have looked __________ in the house, but I haven't seen your wallet.
k   Although I was very thirsty, she gave me __________ to drink.
l   Waiter! There is __________ gnat in my soup.
m   I'd like to go __________ else.
n   I'm not hungry, so I'll eat __________.
o   Could you take me __________ nice this weekend?
p   May I have __________ to eat? I'm very hungry.
q   Would you like to go __________ else? I can take you __________.
r   Would you please stop criticising __________ I do once and for all?
s   My husband is having __________ operation next week.
t   'Have you got __________ we need?'
    'Yes, I think so. I haven't left __________ behind.'
    'I hope so. The last time we went for a picnic, you forgot to bring several things with you.'
u   As you can see, I have __________ in my pockets. They're empty.
v   __________ can do it; it is as easy as winking.
w   'Where are you going this weekend?'
    '__________. I'm staying at home.'
x    __________ she does is a piece of art. She's __________ excellent artist.
y    __________ idiot is __________ stupid.
z   __________ but you did well in the exam. You are __________ very good student.

Other English Teaching Materials:

- Transform the sentences given into the interrogative and the negative (intermediate level) (The key to 'Negative and interrogative sentences')

- Make questions for the answers given (beginners) (The key to 'Make questions')

- Some, any and every; some, any, every + -body / -one, -thing and -where (intermediate level) (The key to 'Some, any and every')

- Assorted exercises for beginners (The key to 'Assorted exercises for beginners')

- Common mistakes in English made by Asian students (by Richard Wright) (The key to 'Common mistakes in English')

- Useful sentences for restaurants in English and Catalan

- Useful sentences for restaurants in English and Castilian

- Answer the questions given (beginners) (The key to 'Answer the questions given')