Page 129 - English Grammar - IX-X

Any is normally used in negative sentences.

For example:
• I haven’t got any coins.

Both some and any can be used in interrogative sentences. If we expect an answer in yes, we
use some. If we expect an answer in no, we use any.
For example:

• I left my wallet at home. Could you lend me some money?
• Can you complete this work by 6 in the evening? Do you need any help?

Sometimes, any means it does not matter which one, or who, or when.
For example:
• You can take any photo frame you like.

Much, Many

Much means a large quantity of. It is generally used before uncountable nouns.
For example:

• The balm gave my mother much relief.
Many means a large number of. It is used before countable nouns.

For example:
• There are many candidates to choose from.

Little, A Little, The Little

Little, a little, and the little denote quantity. They are used before uncountable nouns.

Little is used in the negative sense and means not much, hardly any.
For example:

• I have little money.
A little is used in a positive sense meaning at least some (though not much).

For example:
• I have a little money in my purse. We can buy sandwiches from the store.

The little means not much, but all that there is. It means the whole quantity, though very little.
For example:
• The little money I had in my purse was not enough to buy sandwiches for the two of us.

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