1. When we use uncountable and plural nouns we often use either with some/any or without article. |
sample sentences: I don't need (some) advices. They thought it was a good idea to have (some) ghost stories. She doesn't have (any) money. They don't have (any) paper works to do. |
2. When we think about limited numbers or indefinite numbers and we don't know exactly how much we mean we may prefer to use some/any but if we think about unlimited numbers or large quantities then we may not use any article. |
sample sentences: There are some piles of paper on the floor.(Limited numbers) Those group of girls in front are talkative. I love butterflies.(The speaker didn't state how many) Do you want to have some spices? (Just as much what the speaker wants.) I need to buy apples, oranges, bread, sugar and decorative materials.(The speaker only states the things that he/she may need to buy but not the quantities or the amounts. |
!!If we state something clear like how much or how many what we mean then we may not use some/any. |
sample sentences: Can I borrow some pencil? You have tender hands. (We can already determine how many the speaker mean - two hands, although the speaker is not also clear in how many hands) Do you have any English books? |