0
Cat desk Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Usage of "any"

Hi there, can I use any with singular nouns In sentences like the following?
  • I don't have any pen.
I know you'd say it sounds more natural to say "I don't have any pens." but I have read many books written by both native and non native speakers that says any can be followed by both singular and plural nouns. I know In the above sentence plural is more natural though I see many sentences on the internet and news portal where any is used with singular nouns in the sentence like the above.

So my question is using any with singular nouns in sentences like the above would be grammatical if not natural to a native's ears?
  

Top answer

I don't have any pen. We would normally say "I don't have a pen /any pens" Count singular nouns with "any" are rare, but possible in certain contexts. For example, if I wanted to make an emphatic riposte to someone who thinks I do have a pen.

— BillJ

  • I don't have any pen.
  • We would normally say "I don't have a pen /any pens" Count singular nouns with "any" are rare, but possible in certain contexts.
  • For example, if I wanted to make an emphatic riposte to someone who thinks I do have a pen.
  • A: "I'm sure you have some type of pen".
  • "
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0

I don't have any pen.

We would normally say "I don't have a pen /any pens"

Count singular nouns with "any" are rare, but possible in certain contexts. For example, if I wanted to make an emphatic riposte to someone who thinks I do have a pen.

A: "I'm sure you have some type of pen".

B: "Now look -- I don't have a ballpoint pen, and I don't have a fountain pen, an

0

Related Questions