some/ any choice

[optimistic pessimist]

Dear all,

In the cases below, which do you think would sound natural, some or any?

A: Tom, is there [ some/ any] cheese in the fridge?

B: Tom, could you take out [some/ any] cheese from the fridge?
Let's make pizza.


Thank you!

OP

 

[emsr2d2]

Dear all,

In the cases below, which do you think would sound natural, some or any?

A: Tom, is there [ some/ any] cheese in the fridge?

B: Tom, could you take out [some/ any] cheese from the fridge?
Let's make pizza.


Thank you!

OP

Which would you choose and why? Let us know, and then we can tell you if we agree and why.

 

[TheParser]

Dear all,

In the cases below, which do you think would sound natural, some or any?

A: Tom, is there [ some/ any] cheese in the fridge?

B: Tom, could you take out [some/ any] cheese from the fridge?
Let's make pizza.


Thank you!

OP

********** NOT A TEACHER **********

Hello, Optimistic Pessimist.

(1) My respectful suggestions:

Is there any cheese in the fridge? = I really do not know.

Is there some cheese in the fridge? = I have an idea that there is

some cheese.

Could you get some cheese from the fridge? = I know that there is

some cheese there.

Thank you

 

[optimistic pessimist]

Hi emsr2d2,

Which would you choose and why? Let us know, and then we can tell you if we agree and why.

Many grammar books say "some" is normally used in affirmative sentences and "any" in negative sentences and questions. However, in the sentences I think both "some" and "any" look okay without any difference in meaning. I'd like to know if I'm wrong.

Thank you

OP

 

[kfredson]

Dear all,

In the cases below, which do you think would sound natural, some or any?

A: Tom, is there [ some/ any] cheese in the fridge?
I would accept either of these. While it might be true, as The Parser says, that using "some" might imply that you feel it to be likely that the answer is yes, I don't think this is always the case. I'd use them interchangeably.

B: Tom, could you take out [some/ any] cheese from the fridge?
Let's make pizza.
I would use "some." It is clear that you are sure that there is cheese in the fridge and you want some.
The use of "any" here sounds strange to me. If I were Tom I would be sure what you meant!

Thank you!

OP

I hope this is useful.