some and any
Some cookies, any questions? The polite fog of quantity — some for yes-sentences, any for questions and noes. Snack time is the lesson.
From age 8Building sentences →
✏️ The pattern
- Saying it
- There are some cookies.
- Saying no
- There aren't any cookies.
- Asking
- Are there any cookies?
- Short answer
- Yes, some. / No, not any.
🗣️ Sentences a child can say
Tap any sentence to hear it. Every one uses words from a topic pack you already have.
🩹 What you will actually hear
The three mistakes that come up in every class, and what is behind each one.
I don't have some pencils.I don't have any pencils.
Not flips some into any — the two words are one idea wearing a yes-coat or a no-coat.
Are there some cookies?Are there any cookies?
Questions usually take any — except offers. 'Would you like some tea?' keeps some because the answer you hope for is yes.
🎯 How to teach it
- 1
Run the class shop or café: 'Are there any bananas?' — 'Yes, some!' Buying and selling forces the pair through every mouth naturally.
- 2
Use a feely bag with real snack packets: shake it — 'Are there any crisps?' Open, check, report: 'There are some!' or 'There aren't any!'
- 3
Keep the rule to one line on the board: ✅ some / ❓ any / ❌ any. Three symbols beat three sentences of explanation at this age.
🗂️ Topic packs that pair with this
Same structure, words your class already knows — no new vocabulary needed.
💬 Questions teachers ask
Do I explain countable vs uncountable here?
No — that's the neighbouring lesson. Some and any happily cover both (some apples, some water), which is exactly why they come first: maximum use, minimum theory.
The offer exception confuses me more than the kids. Skip it?
Teach 'Would you like some…?' as a fixed politeness chunk, never as an exception. Chunks don't confuse anyone; exception lists do.