anyI. adverb
BAD: People go there when they are not able any more to look after themselves.
GOOD: People go there when they are not able to look after themselves any more.
BAD: The state does not any more provide a pension for everyone.
GOOD: The state does not provide a pension for everyone any more.
Usage Note:When used in connection with time,
any more usually comes at the end of the sentence: 'Helen doesn't work here any more.'
Note the alternatives: 'People go there when they are no longer able to look after themselves.' 'The state no longer provides a pension for everyone.'
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲
any II. pronoun1.
BAD: Any day was the same.
GOOD: Each day was the same.
BAD: Any smoker must remember that the people around him are inhaling the smoke.
GOOD: Every smoker must remember that the people around him are inhaling the smoke.
BAD: Any parents are thrilled when their first baby arrives.
GOOD: All parents are thrilled when their first baby arrives.
Usage Note:To refer to all the people or things in a group or category, use
each/every + singular countable noun OR
all + plural countable noun (NOT
any ): 'Every house in the street had one or two broken windows.' 'All students are required to register during the first week.'
2.
BAD: If you have any question, ask your teacher.
GOOD: If you have any questions, ask your teacher.
BAD: She doesn't have any friend.
GOOD: She doesn't have any friends.
Usage Note:When
any is used with a countable noun, the noun is usually plural: 'a question' BUT 'any questions'.
3.
BAD: Has Atsuko found any job yet?
GOOD: Has Atsuko found a job yet?
BAD: If there is any hole in the balloon, the air will escape.
GOOD: If there is a hole in the balloon, the air will escape.
Usage Note:Any is usually used with uncountable nouns and plural countables (NOT with singular countable nouns). Compare: 'Do you have any money?' (
money is an uncountable noun) 'Do you have any fifty-cent coins?' (
coins is a plural countable noun) 'Do you have a fifty-cent coin?' (
coin is a singular countable noun)
Note, however: 'I'll accept any job I'm offered.' (= it does not matter which job)
4.
BAD: When he asked if he could use the telephone, he was told that the family didn't have any.
GOOD: When he asked if he could use the telephone, he was told that the family didn't have one.
Usage Note:Do not use
any as a pronoun for a singular countable noun (see last entry). Compare: 'He asked for some help but nobody gave him any.' (
help is an uncountable noun) 'She wanted to borrow some books but nobody would lend her any.' (
books is a plural countable noun) 'I need a new computer but I can't afford one.' (
computer is a singular countable noun)
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲