When the article “some” appears before a plural noun it functions like an indefinite article:
- He has some tickets for the game.
- Some students decided not to attend the class.
However, when “some” appears before a singular noun, it is being used as a partitive. This is to say that a part of something is indicated, or a partial (or indeterminate) quantity is referred to. It is often used after verbs of ossession or consumption:
- Do you have some time?
- We’re going to buy some milk.
- I heard some bad news.
- She has some money to spend.
- Would you like some help ?Note: After expressions of quantity, the partitive article is not used:
- Students buy a lot of pastries.
- Today people have more activities than before.
In negative expressions, the partitive article “some” generally becomes “any” (this change will also occur in negative interrogatives):
- She doesn’t have any money.
- They didn’t have any milk.
- Don’t you have any money?
The word “any” is not strictly necessary in the negative,and it may often be omitted:
- I never have accidents.
- They didn’t have milk.
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