some
used as a determiner
You use some in front of the plural form of a noun to talk about a number of people or things, without saying who or what they are, or how many of them there are.
Some children were playing in the yard.
I have some important things to tell them.
You can also use some in front of an uncountable noun to talk about a quantity of something, without saying how much of it there is.
She had a piece of pie and some coffee.
I have some information that might help.
When you use some in front of the plural form of a noun, you use a plural form of a verb with it.
Some cars were damaged.
Here are some suggestions.
When you use some in front of an uncountable noun, you use a singular form of a verb with it.
Some action is necessary.
There's some cheese in the fridge.
Be careful
Don't use some as part of the object of a negative sentence. Don't say, for example, ‘I don’t have some money'. You say ‘I don’t have any money'.
Don't use some as part of the object of a negative sentence. Don't say, for example, ‘I don’t have some money'. You say ‘I don’t have any money'.
I hadn't had any breakfast.
It won't do any good.
used as a quantity word
You use some of in front of a plural noun phrase beginning with the, these, those, or a possessive. You do this to talk about a number of people or things belonging to a particular group.
Some of the smaller companies have gone out of business.
Some of these people have young children.
We read some of Edgar Allen Poe's stories.
You use some of in front of a singular noun phrase beginning with the, this, that, or a possessive to talk about a part of something.
We did some of the journey by bus.
He had lost some of his money.
You can use some of like this in front of plural or singular pronouns.
Some of these are mine.
Some of it is very interesting.
Don't use ‘we’ or ‘they’ after some of. Use us or them.
Some of us found it difficult.
Some of them went for a walk.
used as a pronoun
Some can itself be a plural or singular pronoun.
Some activities are very dangerous and some are not so dangerous.
‘You’ll need some graph paper.' – ‘Yeah, I’ve got some at home.'
used in questions
In questions, you can use either some or any as part of an object. You use some when you are asking someone to confirm that something is true. For example, if you think someone wants to ask you some questions, you might ask ‘Do you have some questions?’ But if you do not know whether they want to ask questions or not, you would ask ‘Do you have any questions?’
Sorry – have I missed out some names?
Were you in any danger?
duration
You use some with time or with a word such as hours or months to say that something lasts for a fairly long time.
You will be unable to drive for some time after the operation.
I did not meet her again for some years.
To refer to a fairly short period of time, don't use ‘some’. Say a short time or use a few in front of a word such as hours or months.
Her mother died only a short time later.
You'll be feeling better in a few days.
