Any or no?

Unstressed ‘Any’

Grammatically speaking, ‘any’ is a quantifier which means that it informs us about the quantity of a noun or noun phrase. It can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns.

• There aren’t any people in the room.
• There isn’t any sugar in the bowl.

We use ‘any’ only with negative and interrogative verb forms.

• There aren’t any toys in the box
• Are there any toys in the box?

We do not use ‘any’ with affirmative verb forms.

• There are any some / no toys in the box.

Stressed ‘Any’

When the word ‘any’ is stressed, it can mean unlimited quantity.

• He doesn’t drink any wine. (he dislikes all wines)
• You can choose any film. (the choice is unlimited)

No

In affirmative sentences we can use ‘some’ to indicate a positive quantity or ‘no’ to indicate a zero quantity.

• There are some cars on the road.
• There is some coffee in the pot.
• There are no good programmes on TV.
• There is no milk in the fridge.

So, when talking about a lack of something, a zero quantity, we can use ‘any’ with negative sentences while we use ‘no’ with positive sentences.

• There wasn’t any bread in the bakers.
• There was no bread in the bakers.

This is because in English (unlike in Spanish) you cannot have a double negative.

• There wasn’t no bread

Common error

• I have any time.

In affirmative sentences you must use either: not … any or no.

• I haven’t got any time or I have no time.