The Correct Use of some Adjectives: (part one)

By Ranjana S.


SOME, ANY

Image source: Internet

To express quantity or degree, 'some' is used in affirmative sentences; 'any' in negative or interrogative sentences; as,

• I have some time. (Affirmative)
• I don't have any time. (Negative)
• Do I have any time? (Interrogative)

Words like someone, somebody, something, somewhere behave like some; any-words like anyone,anybody, anything, anywhere behave like any; as,

• He was rude to somebody. (affirmative)
• He was not rude to anybody. (negative)
• Was he rude to anybody? (interrogative)

'Some' also is used in questions which are commands or requests; as

Will you bring me some bread?

Some also denotes number; as,

• Some students attended the class.

EACH, EVERY

Image source: Internet

Each is used when speaking of two or more things and the attention is on individual person or thing.

Each is used when number in the group is fixed and definite.

Examples:

• Each boy was given a chance to speak in the class meeting.
• Last week it rained each day.

Every is used for more than two.

Every is used when the number is indefinite and the focus is on the group.

Let us put it this way; when every is used, attention is focussed to units comprising a whole.

When each is used, attention is focussed to the unit.

• Every boy in the class went for the excursion ( all the boys or the whole class).
• Each boy carried a camera (here we are talking about each boy, individually, in the class).
• I have read every book that you can see on the shelf ( all the books on the shelf).
• Each book is interesting and informative ( talking about each book, individually).

Every is also used with abstract nouns:

• You have every reason(possibility) to be happy (we can't use each).
• You have every chance(all possible) of achieving success (we can't use each).

Every is used with numbers:

• Buses leave every ten minutes (not each).
• Write on every other (alternate) line (not each).

EITHER, NEITHER

Image source: Internet

'Either' has two meanings. 

1. One or other of two. 
2. Each of the two.

• You may take either side in the game.
• Either of you can go to the party.
• On either side of the road was a footpath.
• At either side of the table was a lamp.
•  

'Neither' is negative of 'Either':

• Neither of you can go to the party.
• You may take neither side in the game.
• On neither side of the road was a footpath.
•  

When speaking of two things or persons use 'either' or 'neither', but in referring to more than two, 'any' or 'none' should be used;

• You may have either(or neither) of the two prizes.
• You may have any(or none) of the four prizes.

ANYONE, ANY ONE

'Anyone' and 'Any one' should be used when more than two persons or things are spoken of. There is some difference between 'anyone' and 'any one'.

'Anyone' means anybody; as.

• Is there anyone in the hall?
• 'Any one' means whichever one; as,
• Answer any one of the following questions.