Some and any

We use some and any to:

• Talk about uncountable nouns: some water, some salt...
• Talk about countable nouns, without saying the exact number: some bananas, some games...

Some is used:

• In affirmative questions.

Any is used:

• In negative sentences and questions.

You can practice what you know here:

Some and any.
Some, any, a and an.

And now... the TEST.

A, an, one (grammar)

Remember:

• 'a' + consonant: a spider, a piece of chocolate, a lemon...

• 'sp', 'sm', 'sc'... etc are consonants, not 'esp', 'esm', 'esc'... : a spade, a smile, a scary thought...
• 'h' is a consonant: a helicopter, a hyena, a hamster... [except 'hour': an hour]
• 'u' is a consonant when pronounced 'yu': a university, a unique idea, a useful programme..

• 'an' + vowel: an animal, an idea, an experiment...
• 'u' is a vowel when pronounced 'a': an umbrella, an ugly person...

• 'one' is a number. It means: 'one, but not two or three'. The emphasis is on the quantity.
• I was sad because my hens only laid one egg. I was expecting more.

A, an and 'one'

'A' and 'an' are a bit different from the word 'one'. 'One' is a number and it means 'one', not 'two'. 'A/an' also mean 'one', but when the exact quantity is not really relevant. Please, complete the following exercises:

• Very easy a/an exercise.
• Easy and short exercise.
• Easy exercise.
• Another easy exercise.
• Easy, but a bit long exercise.
• This exercise is long and contains exceptions. It's up to you!
• Complete with 'a', 'an' or ... nothing (!).
• A difficult execise: a, an or one. It's hard and it has got difficult vocabulary.

Ok, ready? Now... take the TEST.

Unit 7

Objectives of unit 7:

• Countable and uncountable nouns
• Using a/an.
• Using some/any.
• Large quantities: a lot of, much and many.
• Small quantities: a little and a few.
• Vocabulary: food and drinks