Any and some

Question

Why can I say "Do we have any bread/oranges?" but not "Do you mind if I ask any questions?"

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

LouiseTWhy can I say "Do we have any bread/oranges?" but not "Do you mind if I ask any questions?"

It seems to me that it has to do with which clause it's in.

In the first case bread (or oranges) is in the main clause. In the second case questions is in a subordinate clause (in the if clause).

There may be a better analysis. Let's see if someone else responds.
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I did some research and found some more information for you.

1. Some is used in situations where the question is not a request for information, but a method of making a request.
(http://www.edufind.com/english/grammar/Determiners7c.cfm)

2. Sometimes we use some in a question, when we expect a positive YES answer. (We could say that it is not a real question, because we think we know the answer already.) (http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/adjectives-determiners-some-any.htm)

3. We use "some" in questions when offering or requesting something that is there.
Example: Would you like some bread? (offer) - Could I have some water? (request) (http://esl.about.com/library/beginner/blsomeany.htm)

4. We usually use any in questions. But if we expect or want the other to answer 'yes', we use some. Example: Would you like some biscuits?
(http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/vocabulary/some-any) On this site, try "Exercises with Exceptions" Numbers 3 and 4.
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I don't think that you necessarily have to be expecting a "Yes" answer for these. In the case of "Do you mind?" you actually expect the answer to be "No", so the idea is more that you expect a certain answer, not that it has to be "Yes". So when you ask someone if they mind if you do something, you use some instead of the expected any. Do you mind if I ask some questions? is really a method of requesting to ask questions, like May I ask some questions?

CJ

Siernan · Answer

Is there some more about any and some? I am not sure to understand how to use these.there are many links but what one to chose please?

Any and some

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