Quantifiers Flashcards
(6 cards)
when do you use some/somebody/someone/something?
a) positive sentences:
we bought some flowers
b) in questions, to talk about a person or thing we know exists or we think exists
Are you waiting for somebody? (I think you’re waiting for somebody)
c) we use some in questions when we ask for or offer things
Can I have some sugar, please? (There is probaly some sugar that I can have)
Would you like something to eat (There is something to eat)
When do we use any/anybody/anyone/anything?
a) negative sentences
We didn’t buy any flowers
sometimes you can omit the noun:
How much bread did you buy? I didn’t buy any (bread)
b) sentences with negative meaning
She went out without any money (= She didn’t take any money with her)
He refused to eat anything (= He didn’t eat anything)
It’s a very easy exam. Hardly anybody fails (= almost NOBODY fails)
c) questions, when we don’t know if the thing or person we talk about exists
Do you have any luggage? (= maybe you do, maybe not)
Is there anybody in the house (= maybe there is, maybe not)
d) if + any
let me know if you need anything
If anyone has any questions, I’ll be pleased to answer them
e) sentences with the idea of “if”
I’m sorry for any trouble I’ve caused (= if I have caused any trouble)
the police want to speak to anyone who saw the accident (= if there is anyone)
f)
with the meaning of “it doesn’t matter which”
you can take any bus (= it doesn’t matter which bus you take)
we forgot to lock the door. Anybody could have come in.
what kind of words somebody/one and anybody/one are?
They are singular words, but we use they/them/their after these words
Someone HAS forgotten THEIR umbrella
If anybody WANTS to leave early, THEY can
no vs none
no + noun (no bus, no shops etc.)
a) no = not a or not any
b) you can use it at the beggining of a sentence
No reason was given for the change of plan
none
a) we use it without a noun
How much money do you have? None (= no money, = I don’t have any)
All the tickets have been sold. There are none left (= no tickets left)
b) you can say “none of st”
This money is all yours. None of it is mine.
c) after none of + plural the verb can be singular or plural
None of the students were happy or was happy
nothing/nobody/no-one/nowhere
nothing/nobody/no-one/nowhere = not + anything/anybody etc.
I said nothing (= I didn’t say anything)
a) you can use them at the beggining of a sentence or alone (as answers to questions)
What’s going to happen? Nobody knows/No-one knows
what happened? Nothing
where are you going? Nowhere. I’m staying here
b) you can also use them after a verb
There is nobody living there
We had nothing to eat
c) we don’t use a negative verb with them
I said nothing
what kind of words nobody/no-one?
they are singular words, but we use they/them/their after them
Nobody IS perfect, ARE THEY?
No-one did what I asked them to do
