Two questions about dates and any and some. Thanks.

Question

Hello,I am confused about the usage of dates and any and some. Could you help me with the following questions? Thank you very much.6/3 June 3 or June third. June 13 or thirteenth  any vs some Is there some milk in the refrigerator?Is there any milk in the refrigerator?

JohnParis · Accepted Answer

Dates are difficult because it depends where you are in the world.

For example:

In the USA, 5/2/11 means May 2, 2011 (or May the 2nd, 2011).

6/1 means June the 1st and/or June 1st.

6/3 means June the 3rd and/or June 3rd.

6/13 means June the 13th and/or June 13th.

You wouldn't write out "third" or "thirteenth".**

If you would like to know about how the rest of the world deals with dates, just let me know.

Concerning "sone and any":

Any and some can be synonymous; that is, they may have the same meaning. Both may be used in affirmative or negative questions:

Examples: Will you have any?
Will you have some?
Won’t you have any?
Won’t you have some?

However, use some, not any, for affirmative statements and answers.

Correct Example: You may have some. Yes, I’d like some.
Incorrect Example: You may have any.

For negative statements and answers, use any.

Correct Examples: I don’t care for any apple pie.
I can’t have any pets in my apartment.
Incorrect Examples: I don’t care for some apple pie.
I can’t have some pets in my apartment.

Note that it would be fine to leave out any in the above examples entirely.

Examples: I don’t care for apple pie.
I can’t have pets in my apartment.

SO, you can use either of your two sentences:

Is there some milk in the refrigerator?

Is there any milk in the refrigerator?

** Economist Style Guide, 10th edition, page 45.

Two questions about dates and any and some. Thanks.

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