Any + singular or plural?

Hi,

It should not be discussed with anyone who wasn't present at the meeting.

Regards

Thanks, Regards.

Actually, I know that the sentence you proposed is better than mine.

I just wanted your confirmation about the following rule:

any + countable noun = plural

any + uncountable noun = singular

We didn't have any problems (countable) going through customs.
They never give me any help (uncountable).
Please correct any mistakes (coun

Hi,

Broadly speaking, you should use any with uncountable nouns or plural nouns when the connotation

being made is negative.

I don't need any help (uncountable).

I don't have any oranges (countable).

We didn't have any problems (countable).

I don't have any money (uncountable).

Your reasoning is correct, then.

You asked a specific question and Regards provided you with a good answer.

Concerning your rule, it is correct.

But, taking into consideration your example sentences, the preferred plural of "person" is "people." Persons is acceptable, however, and you second sentence is correct. Yet, I think most people would use "people" and not "persons" these days.

John

Hi,

Yes, persons is usually used in formal contexts, and in the vast majority of contexts you

should use person.

Regards

Hi John.

I'm not a native but I, too, feel my second sentence is correct. I discussed it on another Forum and a native speaker replied to me that both forms are correct. Now you confirm my feeling. So thanks a lot (to you and Regards). (My example sentences aren't actually mine; I found them on that Forum.)

JK

Both sentences are correct and convey the same information.

One is singular, the other plural.

You may say or write either.

John