GRAMMER (TWO, TOO, & TO AND SOME, ANY )

Too and To

There is often confusion over the words too and to. Both words have two uses:

Too

Too has two uses:

Too means as well or also. I can do it too. Did you think that too? See the lesson: Too (as well or also)

Too portrays the idea of in excess or more than it should be. This cat is too chubby. The shoes were too expensive. I'm glad to hear you smoke. A man should always have an occupation of some kind. There are far too many idle men in London as it is. (Oscar Wilde) (See the same quote in the section below.) See the lesson: Too (in excess)

To

To has two uses:

To is used in expressions like to walk, to run, to paint, etc. (These are all verbs in their infinitive forms.) I want to run around the planet. Did you tell her what to think? I'm glad to hear you smoke. A man should always have an occupation of some kind. There are far too many idle men in London as it is. (Oscar Wilde) (See the same quote in the section above.) See the lesson: To (infinitive form)

To is used in expressions like to the park, to the postman, agree to a proposal. (The word to in these examples is a preposition.) She handed the parcel to the stranger. I am going to the park.

Some, Any

Some = a little, a few or a small number or amount
Any = one, some or all
Usually, we use some in positive (+) sentences and any in negative (-) and question (?) sentences.

	some	any	example situation
+	I have some money.		I have $10.
-		I don't have any money.	I don't have $1 and I don't have $10 and I don't have $1,000,000. I have $0.
?		Do you have any money?	Do you have $1 or $10 or $1,000,000?

 

In general, we use something/anything and somebody/anybody in the same way as some/any.

Look at these examples:

• He needs some stamps.
• I must go. I have some homework to do.
• I'm thirsty. I want something to drink.
• I can see somebody coming.

• He doesn't need any stamps.
• I can stay. I don't have any homework to do.
• I'm not thirsty. I don't want anything to drink.
• I can't see anybody coming.

• Does he need any stamps?
• Do you have any homework to do?
• Do you want anything to drink?
• Can you see anybody coming?

We use any in a positive sentence when the real sense is negative.

• I refused to give them any money. (I did not give them any money)
• She finished the test without any difficulty. (she did not have any difficulty)

Sometimes we use some in a question, when we expect a positive YES answer. (We could say that it is not a real question, because we think we know the answer already.)

• Would you like some more tea?
• Could I have some sugar, please?