[Grammar] any/some

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queenbu

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Wow after all these years it seems like a labyrinth to be abe to post a question on this forum!
I swear I have been on other threads to see if my question had been posted before but, alas, due to my ignorance I didn't find anything....so here goes......"Which is correct?: I forgot to buy some bread OR I forgot to buy any bread?" Thank you!!!
 

TheParser

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Hello, Queenbu:

Here is the opinion of one expert:

"We use any in affirmative clauses after words that have a negative ... meaning."

His example: "I forgot to get any bread." [My note: "to forget" has a negative meaning.]



James


That expert is Michael Swan in his Practical English Usage (1995 edition).
 

emsr2d2

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For me, they both work, as does "I forgot to get bread!"
 

queenbu

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Hello, Queenbu:

Here is the opinion of one expert:

"We use any in affirmative clauses after words that have a negative ... meaning."

His example: "I forgot to get any bread." [My note: "to forget" has a negative meaning.]



James


That expert is Michael Swan in his Practical English Usage (1995 edition).

page 548....I've got the book ;-)
 

MikeNewYork

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I agree with emsr2d2.
 

TheParser

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Hello, Queenbu:

As the moderator reminded us, both "some" and "any" would be correct in such a sentence.

1. Here is what one scholar reminds us [emphasis is mine]:

t would be inaccurate to posit a rule converting some to any in negatives. ... This is because some can also occur in [some negative sentences]."


My translation: It would not be accurate to say that the negative always requires "any."

Source: Roderick A. Jacobs, English Syntax / A Grammar for English Language Professionals (1995).

2. Another scholar gives these GREAT examples:

a. "The shop was closed so I couldn't buy any biscuits."

b. "The shop was closed so I couldn't buy some biscuits."

He explains that the difference is "slight." He says that some "draws more attention to the intention [plan] that I had to buy some [biscuits]."


Source: Rodney Huddleston, Introduction to the Grammar of English (1984).




James

P.S. Let's say that I went to the supermarket with the intention to buy some delicious broccoli but that I forgot to. While walking home with my groceries, I might suddenly think: "OMG! I forgot to buy some broccoli. I must return to the store right now."
 
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