EXPLANATIONS

Both some and any normally describe an indefinite quantity. As determiners, they are usually followed by the plural form of a countable noun or by an uncountable ⋅ noun:

Have you received any interesting applica⋅ tions?

…people who have some experience working in the hotel industry.

However, if we mean “it doesn’t matter which or who”, ⋅ we can use any with a singular countable noun: We’ll hire any candidate who’s worked for our group before.

When referring to an unknown person or thing, we can also use some with a singular countable noun. However, this is potentially more negative than a simple ⋅ article (“a”/“an”):

…apart from running some stall on the beach.

According to the basic rule, some is used in affirmative clauses, while any is used in negative clauses and ⋅ questions:

…people who have some experience working in the hotel industry. ⋅ ⋅

They wouldn’t need any accommodation.

Have you received any interesting applications?

However, some is used in questions if they are offers or requests and/or we expect the answer to be “yes”: ⋅ ⋅ Would you like some mauby?

Could I have some more?

Any is also used in positive statements if these have a ⋅ limiting or negative meaning:

Hardly any have qualifications.

⋅ Some and any can also be used as pronouns: I’d love some, thanks.

They can be complemented by “of” + noun phrase/ pronoun: ⋅

Some of the more interesting applications are from people we know.

For indefinite pronouns beginning with some or any, the ⋅ basic rules are the same as those described above: It’s important that the locals feel they’re getting something out of it.

When used before numbers, some means “approximately”: ⋅

We’re looking for some 200 people.