Partitive article:"some"

When the article "some" appears before a plural noun it functions like an indefinite article:

• He has some tickets for the game.
• Some students decided not to attend the class.

However, when "some" appears before a singular noun, it is being used as a partitive. This is to say that a part of something is indicated, or a partial (or indeterminate) quantity is referred to. It is often used after verbs of possession or consumption:

• Do you have some time?
• We're going to buy some milk.
• I heard some bad news.
• She has some money to spend.
• Would you like some help ?

  Note: After expressions of quantity, the partitive article is not used:

• Students buy a lot of pastries.
• Today people have more activities than before.

In negative expressions, the partitive article "some" generally becomes "any" (this change will also occur in negative interrogatives):

• She doesn't have any money.
• They didn't have any milk.
• Don't you have any money?

The word "any" is not strictly necessary in the negative,and it may often be omitted:

• I never have accidents.
• They didn't have milk.

Related topics

• Definite articles
• Indefinite articles

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