Perbandingan :
- I saw seven bird when riding my bike in the forest yesterday. (It is important that you know how many bird I saw/jumlah burung yang Saya lihat sangat penting untuk diketahui)
- I saw some bird when riding my bike in the forest yesterday. (I don't know exactly how many bird I saw. Or : It is not important that you know exactly how many bird I saw/Saya tidak tahu pasti berapa banyak burung yang Saya lihat, atau : jumlah burung yang Saya lah tidaklah penting)
Aturan some and any tersebut berlaku juga untuk :
- somebody/anybody,
- something/anything, etc.
Umumnya, some digunakan dalam bentuk kalimat positif :
- I got some nice presents for Christmas this year.
- This job is going to take some time.
- Look! There are some large black birds on the roof of the church.
- You have some butter on your chin.
- If you are hungry, there are some biscuits in the cupboard.
- I'm sure I'll return to Japan some day.
- There is somebody on the phone for you.
- I'd like to go somewhere hot this summer.
Umumnya, any digunakan dalam bentuk kalimat negatif dan pertanyaan :
- I didn't get any nice presents for Christmas this year.
- I looked in the cupboard but I couldn't find any biscuits.
- I don't need any help.
- She's so rude. No wonder she doesn't have any friends.
- I don't have anything to wear to the dance.
- I'm not hungry. I don't want anything to eat.
- Do you have any brothers or sisters?
- Did you catch any fish?
- Have you seen any good films recently?
- Does anyone know the answer?
- Are you going anywhere this Christmas?
Selain itu, some juga dapat digunakan dalam kalimat offering/requesting :
- Would you like some more tea?
- Could I have some milk, please?
- Do you want something to eat?
Any digunakan dalam kalimat positif apabila suatu hal yang kita maksud tidaklah berarti/penting, seperti misalnya :
- You can come and ask for my help any time.
- Which book shall I read? - Any one. It's up to you.
- You can sit anywhere but here. This is my seat!