any

[[t]e̱ni[/t]]

♦

1) DET: DET pl-n/n-uncount You use any in statements with negative meaning to indicate that no thing or person of a particular type exists, is present, or is involved in a situation.

I never make any big decisions...

I'm not making any promises...

We are doing this all without any support from the hospital...

Earlier reports were unable to confirm that there were any survivors...

It is too early to say what effect, if any, there will be on the workforce.

QUANT: QUANT of def-n-uncount/def-pl-n

Any is also a quantifier.

You don't know any of my friends... There was nothing you could do, nothing any of us could do.

PRON: PRON after v

Any is also a pronoun.

The children needed new school clothes and Kim couldn't afford any.

2) DET: DET pl-n/n-uncount You use any in questions and conditional clauses to ask whether there is some of a particular thing or some of a particular group of people, or to suggest that there might be.

Do you speak any foreign languages?...

Are there any ladies in the audience?...

Have you got any cheese I can have with this bread?

QUANT: QUANT of def-n-uncount/def-pl-n

Any is also a quantifier.

Introduce foods one at a time and notice if you feel uncomfortable with any of them... Have you ever used a homeopathic remedy for any of the following reasons?

PRON: PRON after v

Any is also a pronoun.

If any bright thoughts occur to you pass them straight to me. Have you got any?... The plants are inspected for insects and if I find any, they are squashed.

3) DET You use any in positive statements when you are referring to someone or something of a particular kind that might exist, occur, or be involved in a situation, when their exact identity or nature is not important.

Any actor will tell you that it is easier to perform than to be themselves...

I'm prepared to take any advice...

I would overcome any weakness, any despair, any fear.

QUANT: QUANT of def-n-uncount/def-pl-n

Any is also a quantifier.

Nealy disappeared two days ago, several miles away from any of the fighting... It had been the biggest mistake any of them could remember.

PRON

Any is also a pronoun.

Clean the mussels and discard any that do not close. ...mangoes, bananas, pineapples, pears, and grapes as delicious as any you have ever eaten.

4) ADV: ADV compar (emphasis) You can also use any to emphasize a comparative adjective or adverb in a negative statement.

I can't see things getting any easier for graduates...

Anne's not getting any younger.

5) PHRASE: PHR n If you say that someone or something is not just any person or thing, you mean that they are special in some way.

Finzer is not just any East Coast businessman...

It's fashionable for young people to wear trainers, but not just any trainers.

6) PHRASE: PHR after v If something does not happen or is not true any more or any longer, it has stopped happening or is no longer true.

I don't want to see her any more...

We felt we had no home any more, no family, nothing...

I couldn't keep the tears hidden any longer.

7) in any case → see case

by any chance → see chance

in any event → see event

by any means → see means

any old → see old

at any rate → see rate