Any

You have heard 'any' in words such as 'anyone' and 'anything.' In this lesson, we will learn all about the word 'any' including its uses and functions.

Any is used in different contexts in the English language. To be able to distinguish its uses, we have written this article.

Functions of 'Any'

1. 'Any' as a Determiner

Use

Any as a determiner is used to indicate one or some of a thing or a number of things or an amount greater than zero or none in negative sentences. To learn more, follow the lesson:

Any is used to indicate one or some of a thing or a number of things, no matter who or what. Take a look:

You can take any book.

Talk to any man in this living room.

Any as a determiner is used in negative sentences or questions to indicate an amount greater than zero. Look:

I haven't bought any book yet.

Do you have any chance?

Position in a Sentence

Any as a determiner is used before nouns mainly in negative sentences and questions. Take a look:

You can take any book.

Do you have any chance?

I haven't bought any book yet.

2. 'Any' as a Pronoun

Use

Any as a pronoun is used to indicate any one of the people or things in a group or any amount. Look:

Any as a pronoun is used to indicate any one of the people or things in a group. Look:

You can take any.

I had some books, but now I can't give you any.

He is more beautiful than any of the other boys.

Any of them could be there.

Any is used to replace uncountable nouns and it means 'any amount.' Like:

She had some water but now he doesn't have any.

Is there any left?

Position in a Sentence

Any as a pronoun can be the subject or the object of a sentence because any replaces nouns it refers to. For example:

He doesn't have any.

'Any' is an object.

Any of them could be there.

'Any' is a subject here.

3. 'Any' as an Adverb

Use

Any as an adverb is used to modify the verb or the adjective and has a similar meaning to 'to the least amount or degree, at all.' Look:

This is not any good.

This is not good at all.

I won't be any happier.

I won't be happier more than that.

I didn't hurt you any.

'Any', in this case, is used in the US English.

Position in a Sentence

Any as an adverb modifies the verb or the adjective and adds more information to the sentence. Remember that it is used in negative sentences as it has a negative meaning. For example:

I didn't hurt you any.

'Any' describes the verb.

I won't be any happier.

'Any' modifies the adjective 'happier.'

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