Some vs Any

First of all, we have to get rid of the legend that we use some in affirmative
statements whereas we use any in negative and interrogative statements. It is important to
understand the true meaning of these two words:
• Some, is assertive and it’s associated with positive polarity declarative sentences.
The existence of an entity is asserted so it is real. It is clearly defined or identified.
• Any, is a non-assertive form and it’s associated with other kind of clauses as the
negative statements, the questions and the subordinate clauses. It implies the
possibility of the non-existence of the entity. It is non specific, not detailed, exact
and it’s general.
We are going to see now some examples where we can see that Assertive words
can be used in negations and questions and non-assertive words can also be used in
assertive contexts. The attitude of the speaker marks which one we should use:
• There is somebody hiding behind the box - The speaker assumes that there is a
person hiding there, although they are not aware who it is; the existence of the
person is real
• Is there anybody behind the box? - Does not make assertion, but simply raises
the possibility. The existence of the person is hypothetical or irreal
• Is there somebody behind the box? - The speaker assumes the answer to the
question might be yes and is, perhaps, thrilled by the fact.
• There must be something we can do - Asserts that there is an action that might
be appropriate.
• I would do anything to help him - Stressed the emotional involvement of the
speaker and the force of the statement. It doesn’t specifies what he would do
hence is a general context.
• John was eager to read some of the books - It specifies that John was keen on
reading a specific number of books that he had.
• John was too lazy to read any of the books - It doesn’t specify, there were a
number of book and John was lazy to read everyone, it didn’t matter which one.
• Freud contributed more than anyone to the understanding of dreams = Nobody
contributed as much as Freud to the understanding of dreams - Despite the fact
that the first statement is affirmative, it implies a non-assertive meaning.
• Anyone could do it - It doesn’t specify the people that can do it. What it is being
done is probably so easy that everyone is able to do it.
• Some people aren’t ready for what is coming - This statement is specifying that,
within all people, there is a group that isn’t prepared hence the existence of the
entity is asserted.
• Did somebody telephone last night? - The speaker was expecting a call and he
asked to know if that person phoned last night.
• Did anybody telephone last night? - The speaker wasn’t expecting a call, he/she
was curious by that fact, and he/she just wanted to know if there was a call.
• Will somebody, please, open the door? - The speaker is locked in one room or
he/she just want to enter somewhere. The usage of some is because the speaker
knows that there are people who can open the door and he/she is talking to them.
• Will anybody, please, open the door? - The usage of any is because the speaker
doesn’t know if there is someone behind the door. It implies the possibility of the
non-existence of the entity.