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Jesusengland Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

I haven't got bread. / I haven't got any bread.


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Hello.

What is the difference in meaning?

- I haven't got bread.
- I haven't got any bread.

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Hello, Good question. The difference is less a matter of meaning than it is that of articulation. emphasis, just an observation.

— Anonymous

  • Hello, Good question.
  • The difference is less a matter of meaning than it is that of articulation.
  • emphasis, just an observation.
  • I haven't got any bread could suggest: -1.
  • That the speaker wants to emphasize that he or she has not one piece of bread.
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3 Answers
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Hello,

Good question. The difference is less a matter of meaning than it is that of articulation.

emphasis, just an observation.

2.I haven't got any bread could suggest:

-1. That the speaker wants to emphasize that he or she has not one piece of bread. It more strongly emphasizes the lack of bread and has more of a negative connotation than
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No difference in meaning that I can think of.

Edit. I agree with Anon. If someone asks, "Could you please make me a sandwich?", we would more likely reply, "No, we haven't any bread," but "No, there's no bread," or "No, I haven't got bread" will do the job.

When answering which of a number of items on a list are missing, the shorter version would be more likely.
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JesusenglandWhat is the difference in meaning?

- I haven't got bread.
- I haven't got any bread.
The first draws a contrast between bread and other things.

I've got peanut butter, but I haven't got bread.
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