Some and Any

Some or Any?

Many are confused as to when to use some and when any.

Some and any go before a plural or uncountable noun.
e.g. On her desk there was a computer, some papers and some coffee.

Some has a positive meaning, but any means that there may be none. We normally use some in positive sentences and any in negative sentences or ones with a negative meaning.
e.g.
Positive:  I've got some information for you about Greece.
                 I need some money to buy groceries.  There is some on the table!
                 There were some great new jackets in the shop yesterday.

Negative: I haven't got any money. (I've got no money)
                 There aren't any apples in the bowl.
                 I never see any children in the park.
                 There's hardly any milk left. (There's almost no milk left)

BUT we can use any in a positive sentence with if:

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Please tell any callers that I'll be back at 12pm. (=if there are any callers)

Send any complaints to the manager. (=if there are any complaints)

Any is more usual in questions. The answer to the question is usually yes or no.
e.g. Have we got any orange juice?  Yes / No / I (don't) think so.
       Did you get any work done? Yes, I did / No, I didn't.
       Will there be any music at the event tonight? Yes / No / I don't know.

BUT we can use some to make the questions more positive, especially in offers and requests. When we use some, it means that we expect the answer to be YES!

Would you like some coffee? 

Could you help me make some cookies?

Can we get some chocolate on our way home?

YES! YES! YES!

Any questions?? :) :) :)