Correct Use of Some Adjectives

Some

To express quantity or degree some is used normally in affirmative sentences.
For e.g.:- I will buy some mangoes.
Some is used in questions which are really offers/requests or which expect the answer “Yes”.

For e.g.:-

• Will you have some samosa and tea? (Offer) 
• Could you lend me some money? (Request) 
• Did you buy some clothes? (I expect you did.) 

Any

In negative or interrogative sentences. But any can be used after ‘if’ in affirmative sentences.

For e.g.:- 

• If you need any money I will help you. 
• I will not buy any mangoes. 
• Have you bought any chocolates? 

Each, Every

• ‘Each’ and ‘Every’ are similar in meaning, but ‘Every’ is a stronger word than each; it means, 'each without exception'. 
• ‘Each’ is used in speaking of two or more things; ‘Every’ is used only in speaking of more than two. 
• ‘Each’ directs attention to the individuals forming any group, ‘Every’ to the total group. 
• ‘Each’ is used only when the number in the group is limited and definite; ‘Every’ when the number is indefinite. 

For e.g.:-

• Every seat was taken in the bus. 
• Five boys were seated on each bench. 
• Every one of these toys is expensive. 
• Leap year falls in every fourth year. 
• He came to see us every three days. [i.e., once in every period of three days]. 
• It rained every day during my holidays. 
• I was away ten days and it rained each day. 

Little, A little, The little: -

(1) Little = not much (i.e., hardly any). Thus, the adjective little has a negative meaning.

For e.g.:-

• There is little hope of his recovery. (i.e.:- he is not likely to recovery) 
• He showed little concern for his father. 
• He has little influence over his old followers. 
• He showed little mercy to the thief. 
• He has little appreciation of good poetry. 

(2) A little = some though not much. 'A little' has a positive meaning.

For e.g.:-

• There is a little hope of his recovery. (i.e.:-he may possibly recover.) 
• A little tactics is also required in the game of chess. 
• A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. 

(3) The little = not much, but all there is.

For e.g.:-

• The little information he had was not quite reliable. 
• The little knowledge of carpentry that he possessed stood him in good stead. 
• [The sentence means-The knowledge of carpentry he possessed was not much; but all that knowledge stood him in good stead.] 

Few, A few, The few

(1) Few = not many, hardly any, 'Few' has a negative meaning.

For e.g.:-

• Only a few persons can keep a secret. 
• Few people are as hopeless as drunkards. 
• Few towns in India have public libraries. 
• Few workers attended work today. 
• Few men are free from faults. 
• Few men reach the age of one hundred years. 
• Few students passed IBPS exam. 

(2) A few = some. 'A few' has a positive meaning, and is opposed to 'none'.

For e.g.:-

• A few words spoken in earnest will convince him. 
• A few Parsees write Gujarati correctly. 

(3) The few = not many, but all there are.

For e.g.:-

• The few remarks that he made were very suggestive. [The sentence means- The remarks that he made were not many, but all those remarks were very suggestive.] 
• The few friends he has are all very poor. 
• The few clothes they had were all tattered and torn.