Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Any: Special Uses

1. 'Any' can mean 'it doesn't matter which'. 

Come and see me any time. 

Take any card. 

Think of a number - any number you like. 

2. 'Any...but' means 'any...except'. 

I'll go to any restaurant but that one. 

3. In relative sentences, 'any' is usually followed by 'that', not 'which' or 'who'. 

Borrow any book that interests you. 

4. In questions and negative sentences (and with 'if'), 'any' can be used as an adverb with comparatives, and with 'different'. 

Is she any better? 

I can't go any further. 

If I were any younger, I'd fall in love with you. 

I don't think you look any different from how you did last year. 

'No' can also be used like this, but not 'some'. 

Note also the expressions 'any/no good', and 'any/no use'. 

'Was the film any good?' - 'No good at all.'

'Is it any use talking to him?' - 'It's no use at all.' 


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