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 8Cambridge level: A1 Movers

Age: Ages 8–11
Level: A1
Skill: Grammar
Format: Teacher guide

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.

Printable worksheet Presentation (PPT)

Sentences a child can say

Tap any sentence to hear it. Every one uses words from a topic pack you already have.

Mini exercise: choose the right word

Five sentences from this page, each with a word missing. A child taps the word that fits and, once it is right, hears the whole sentence.

There are blank apples.
I have blank water.
There aren't blank eggs.
I don't have blank money.
There is blank milk in the glass.

What you will actually hear

The mistakes that come up in every class, and what is behind each one, with a tag on those a first language makes typical.

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.

Food Fruits Sweet treats In the kitchen School

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.