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The Difference Between A – An – Some – Any

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The difference between a, an, some, and any can be quite confusing for many people.

Most simply “a” and “an” are used with singular countable nouns while “some” and “any” are used with countable and uncountable plural nouns.

a - an - some - any

A vs. An

“A” is used with singular nouns that begin with a consonant.[1]https://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/when-use-a-some-any-elementary

For example:

  • Can I have a cup of water?
  • There is a dog in the pool.
  • This is a cool car.

“An” is used with singular nouns that begin with a vowel.

For example:

  • Can I have an enormous cup of water?
  • There is an excited dog in the pool.
  • This is an ancient car.

Some vs. Any

“Some” is used with plural countable and uncountable nouns in positive statements.

For example:

  • There is some cheese in the refrigerator.
  • I have to do some homework.
  • She has some work to do.

“Any” is used with plural countable and uncountable nouns in negative statements and questions.

For example:

  • I don’t have any cheese in my fridge.
  • She doesn’t have any homework.
  • Is there any work to do?

Exceptions with Some and Any

Normally with questions, you use “any” for plural countable and uncountable nouns. However, there are 3 major exceptions to this rule.[2]https://www.grammar.cl/Notes/Some_Any_A_An.htm

  1. Offer

Would you like some coffee?

  1. Ask for

Can I have some coffee?

  1. Suggestion

How about we go out for some coffee?

Practice Exercises

Complete the following sentences with either “a”, “an”, “some”, or “any”.

 10%

Question 1 of 10

1. There is ____ lion and ____ elephant in the zoo.

Question 1 of 10

Question 2 of 10

2. I don't have ____ bread to make a sandwich. Can you give me ____?

Question 2 of 10

Question 3 of 10

3. She has ____ milk in the refrigerator.

Question 3 of 10

Question 4 of 10

4. I haven't read ____ book in a long time.

Question 4 of 10

Question 5 of 10

5. I didn't have ____ homework.

Question 5 of 10

Question 6 of 10

6. That was ____ easy exercise.

Question 6 of 10

Question 7 of 10

7. There aren't ____ seals in the zoo; however, there are ____ monkeys.

Question 7 of 10

Question 8 of 10

8. I didn't receive ____ presents for my birthday.

Question 8 of 10

Question 9 of 10

9. Would you like to eat ____ pasta?

Question 9 of 10

Question 10 of 10

10. I wore ____ t shirt and ____ shoes.

Question 10 of 10


 

References[+]

Articles with Countable and Uncountable Nouns

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In English, there are both countable and uncountable nouns. When using them, it is important to know which articles to use with them.[1]https://7esl.com/articles-with-countable-and-uncountable-nouns/

Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns are concepts, materials, and information that cannot be counted.

A few examples include:[2]https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/nouns-countable-un.htm

  • Currency
  • Money
  • Electricity
  • Gas
  • Power
  • Water
  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Rice
  • Milk
  • Music
  • Love
  • Art
  • news

Countable Nouns

Countable nouns are places, people, and objects that can be counted.

For example:

  • 8 kids
  • 4 men
  • 12 apples
  • 6 oranges
  • A car
uncountable nouns

Articles with Uncountable Nouns

The

You can use the article “the” with uncountable nouns to talk about specific things.

For example:

  • The water is very cold.
  • I am listening to the news.
  • I love the art in the museum.

No Article

You can use no article in front an uncountable noun when you are talking about something in general.

For example:

  • He loves listening to music.
  • Milk is an important part of this recipe.

Articles with Countable Nouns

Number

You can use numbers in front of countable nouns.

For example:

  • I have 2 kids.
  • We have 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 6 fish as pets.

A/An

You can use “a/an” in front of singular non-specific countable nouns. This means that you are talking about something in general/nonspecific.

For example:

  • She has a cat.
  • Can I have a book please?
  • Joe is an English teacher.

The

You can use “the” in front of singular and plural specific countable nouns.

  • I like the book.
  • I like the books.

No Article

You can use no article in front of countable nouns when you mean all or any of it.

For example:

I am eating with my friends. (this can mean with some of my friends or all of my friends)

I like dogs. (this means that I like all dogs in general)

She hates cats. (this means that she hates all cats in general)

Practice Exercises

Please go to Articles with Countable and Uncountable Nouns to view this quiz

References[+]