The difference between some/any and no article
Uncountable and plural nouns are often used either with some/any or with no article. Usually there is no difference of meaning.
- I need (some) writing paper.
- Have you got (any) rice?
The difference
We use some/any when we are talking about limited but rather indefinite number or quantities. We use no article when we are thinking about unlimited numbers or quantities, or not thinking about numbers/quantities at all.
Compare:
- We have bought some eggs. (Limited quantity)
- Do you like eggs? (No idea of number)
- Is there any milk in the bottle? (Limited quantity)
- Milk has a sweet taste. (No idea of quantity)
- We bought a lot of apples yesterday.
- Apples are red. (General statement)
- I would like a little coffee, please.
- We planted some trees in the garden. (Limited number)
- There were trees on either side of the road. (No idea of
number)
Sections in this article
Tenses
The simple present tense
The present progressive tense
The present perfect tense
The present perfect progressive tense
Present tenses to talk about the future
The simple past tense
The past progressive tense
The past perfect tense
The past perfect progressive tense
Past verb forms with present or future meaning
The simple future tense
The future progressive tense
The future perfect tense
See also
Common mistakes in the use of nouns
Common mistakes in the use of nouns | Exercise 1
Common mistakes in the use of nouns | Exercise 2
Common mistakes in the use of nouns | Exercise 3
More CBSE English Grammar worksheets
Passive voice worksheet | Simple past tensePassive voice worksheet | Past continuous tense
Passive voice worksheet | Simple future tense
Passive voice worksheet | Future perfect tense