doesn't look any...

[Eshafter]

Hello.

Is it always possible to use any in statements like "He doesn't look any..." (+ Hispanic/Danish/surprised/whatever adjective)?

Thanks.

 

[emsr2d2]

No.

He doesn't look at all Hispanic.
He doesn't look Dutch at all.
He doesn't look the slightest bit surprised.
He doesn't look remotely frightened.

As you can see, there are plenty of possible ways to say what I think you mean, but using "any" is not one of them.

 

[5jj]

You can use 'any (the)' before the comparative forms of adjectives in negative sentences:

He doesn't look any (the) worse for his experience.
His attempts at explanation didn't make it any (the) more comprehensible.

This is not very common.

 

[emsr2d2]

You can use 'any (the)' before the comparative forms of adjectives in negative sentences:

He doesn't look any (the) worse for his experience.
His attempts at explanation didn't make it any (the) more comprehensible.

This is not very common.

Your last sentence is interesting. As I started to read your post, I was thinking "I can't believe I didn't come up with those. I say that kind of thing all the time!"

 

[5jj]

Your last sentence is interesting. As I started to read your post, I was thinking "I can't believe I didn't come up with those. I say that kind of thing all the time!"

I should have made it clear that the 'not common' referred to 'any the + comparative adjective'.

COCA has 1839 negative sentences with 'any + comparative adjective', 109 affirmative sentences with 'none the + comparative adjective' and only 25 negative sentences with 'any the + comparative adjective.

 

[BobK]

Phew I was beginning to wonder 'What's so uncommon about "He doesn't look any happier"?'

b

 

[Barb_D]

I wasn't thinking about comparatives, either, when I read the question.

 

[emsr2d2]

I would say that "I'm none the wiser" is pretty common, but I can't think of any other examples of that construction that I would call common, it's true.

Edit: Sorry, I should have pointed out that I realise that that statement doesn't include the word "any". It can though, if used as "I don't think I'm any the wiser" or "Are you any the wiser after that explanation?"

 

[5jj]

I would say that "I'm none the wiser" is pretty common, but I can't think of any other examples of that construction that I would call common, it's true.

Have you ever known me say something that wasn't true?

 

[emsr2d2]

Have you ever known me say something that wasn't true?

Not yet but, to be fair, I haven't known you long!