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

Question 1 of 10

Question 2 of 10

2. She has ____ milk in the refrigerator.

Question 2 of 10

Question 3 of 10

3. Would you like to eat ____ pasta?

Question 3 of 10

Question 4 of 10

4. I wore ____ t shirt and ____ shoes.

Question 4 of 10

Question 5 of 10

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

Question 5 of 10

Question 6 of 10

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

Question 6 of 10

Question 7 of 10

7. That was ____ easy exercise.

Question 7 of 10

Question 8 of 10

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

Question 8 of 10

Question 9 of 10

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

Question 9 of 10

Question 10 of 10

10. I didn't have ____ homework.

Question 10 of 10


 

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