any
gb/ˈɛni/ us/ˈɛni/
A1
English
~ 100
Senses
0 senses
determiner
A1
relation
1
one or more, no matter which
Used to talk about one or more things of a group, without saying which.
Usage pattern:
any [singular noun] / any [plural noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'some' instead of 'any' in negative sentences or questions, e.g., 'I don’t have some money' instead of 'I don’t have any money'.
Synonyms
some (Often used in positive sentences, while 'any' is common in negatives and questions.)
Antonyms
no (Indicates not even one, opposite of allowing one or more.)
Collocations
any time
|any reason
|any idea
|any chance
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- You can take any book from the shelf.
- Do you have any questions before we start?
- I don’t have any money left.
- Any student can join the club.
- She’ll eat any kind of fruit.
Learner examples
- I don’t have any water.
- You can ask any teacher for help.
- Do you have any friends here?
- He can wear any shirt he likes.
pronoun
A2
entity
2
one or more, unspecified person/thing
Means one or more people or things, but not saying which.
Usage pattern:
any of [them/us/these/those]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'of' in phrases like 'any them' instead of 'any of them'.
Synonyms
whoever ('Whoever' is specific to people and often implies 'no matter who'.)
Antonyms
none (Means not one person or thing from the group.)
Collocations
any of them
|any of these
|any at all
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Any of these will work for the project.
- You can choose any you like.
- Has any of them called you back?
- If any of this is unclear, let me know.
Learner examples
- Any of them can help you.
- Take any you want.
- If any is broken, tell me.
adverb
B1
quantity
3
even slightly or at all
Even a little; in any way.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse adverbial 'any' with determiner 'any', leading to incorrect placement in the sentence.
Synonyms
at all ('At all' is often used for emphasis in negatives.)
Antonyms
completely (Opposite in that it means fully rather than slightly.)
Collocations
not any better
|hardly any
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She’s not feeling any better today.
- Is this room any cleaner after you tidied it?
- The new plan isn’t any different from the old one.
Learner examples
- I am not any happier now.
- Is it any easier for you?
- This is not any bigger than that.
Grammar
Dictionary form
any
IPA
GB/ˈɛni/
US/ˈɛni/
Syllables & stress
any (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (any)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: any
- Plural: anies
Word family
Expressions
at any rate
1/ˈæt ˈɛni ɹˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
at least; anyway
Used to add a fact or change the subject, meaning 'at least' or 'anyway'.
Examples
- It was a long trip. At any rate, we arrived safely.
- At any rate, that’s what I was told.
by any means
1/bˈaɪ ˈɛni mˈinz/
fixed phrase
in whatever way possible
Using whatever way is needed to do something.
Examples
- They will win by any means necessary.
- You should try to finish by any means you can.
if any
1/ˈɪf ˈɛni/
fixed phrase
'if there is even a little'
'If there is even a small amount', often suggesting there may be none.
Examples
- There is little time left, if any.
- He showed few signs of worry, if any.
without any doubt
1/wɪðˈaʊt ˈɛni dˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
certainly; definitely true
Means there is no question that something is true.
Examples
- She is without any doubt the best player on the team.
- Without any doubt, this is my favorite book.
in any case
1/ˈɪn ˈɛni kˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
Regardless; whatever happens
Used to say that something is true no matter what else happens or is said.
Examples
- In any case, we should be ready to leave by 8.
- I don't think it will rain, but in any case, take an umbrella.
in any case
2/ˈɪn ˈɛni kˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
regardless; whatever happens
Used to mean that something is true no matter what else happens.
Examples
- We might be late, but in any case, we’ll get there.
- In any case, you should call her and explain.