'Some' in an interrogative sentence

Question

Hi teachersCan you please which one is correct? The reason I ask this question is that I have known the determiner 'any' is used in interrogative and nagative sentences instead of 'some'. But my friend told me (yesterday) #1 is correct but did not explain why. 1. Did you put any milk in coffee?2. Did you pit some milk in coffee?Many thanks in advance.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Michelle ChaI have known the determiner 'any' is used in interrogative and negative sentences instead of 'some'.

Correct.

Michelle ChaBut my friend told me (yesterday) #1 is correct

Yes. #1 has 'any' in an interrogative sentence. You said above that you already knew this. What further explanation would you like?

Michelle Cha
1. Did you put any milk in your coffee?
2. Did you put some milk in your coffee?

These are both OK.

'any' gives the impression that the speaker has no idea whether you usually put milk in your coffee.

'some' gives the impression that the speaker thinks you usually like milk in your coffee and is more or less reminding you to put milk in your coffee.

These are just my general impressions. Opinions may vary.

CJ

BillJ · Answer

1. Did you put any milk in coffee?

2. Did you put some milk in coffee?

The important distinction is that (with one exception) "any" has a negative orientation, while "some" has a positive orientation, i.e. "any" prefers negative contexts while "some" prefers positive ones.

In positive interrogatives, there is a contrast between "any" and "some". The positive orientation of "some" is reflected in the fact that while [1] is quite neutral, [2] suggests a somewhat greater inclination on the part of the speaker to think that the answer may well be positive.

'Some' in an interrogative sentence

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