Is ‘Any’ Singular or Plural? How to Use ‘Any’ Correctly

You can use “any” as a singular or plural word in American English grammar, depending on the context of a given sentence. Use the word “any” as either a pronoun, which refers to a noun in a noun phrase, or a determiner, which clarifies the state of being or quantity of a noun.

“Any” can be singular or plural when you use it as a pronoun, depending on whether it refers to a countable noun (like “book” or “books”) or an uncountable noun (like “water”). “Any” is singular when it modifies singular countable nouns, and it becomes plural when used with plural countable nouns. Conversely, “any” is plural when used as a pronoun with uncountable nouns.

When you use “any” as a determiner, it often appears before a noun in a question, a negative statement, or a conditional statement. The use of “any'' before an adverb is neither singular nor plural: It emphasizes the adverb without specifying the quantity of a noun.

“Any” is singular when it means “at least one of a group.” Here is a quick overview of how to use “any” with singular nouns:

1. 1. Countable or uncountable nouns: When “any” refers to a singular countable noun or an uncountable noun, treat it as a singular modifier. Examples of uncountable nouns include “water,” “money,” or “information.”
2. 2. Pronoun or determiner: Examine your sentence to determine whether “any” functions as a pronoun or a determiner. “Any” will come before the phrase “of the” if it functions as a pronoun (like “any of the water”). “Any” will immediately precede the noun if it is a determiner (like “any water”).
3. 3. Determine singular or plural verb form: Use the singular form or a verb when using “any” as a determiner or a pronoun with singular nouns or singular noncount nouns. For example, “Is any of the water left?” and “Is there any water left?” are both grammatically correct. You could also say, “Any film could win the award,” using the singular verb to indicate that one movie of many will win the singular award.

When you use “any” to mean “more than one,” it is plural. Examine the noun that it either modifies or replaces to determine whether to treat it as a singular or plural word. Here is a quick guide on ways to use “any” with plural nouns:

1. 1. Countable or uncountable nouns: Use “any” as a plural word with nouns that you can count, like “books.” You can also use “any” as a plural word when making a negative statement about a mass noun, like “I don’t have any water left.” Positive statements with plural uncountable nouns, on the other hand, would replace “any” with “some” as the noun determiner.
2. 2. Pronoun or determiner: Examine your sentence to determine whether “any” functions as a pronoun or a determiner. “Any” is also considered plural when connected to a plural verb. In plural pronoun form, the preposition “of” often follows “any.” For example, the noun phrase “any of your books” uses “any” as a pronoun, which means “one or more” of “your books.” The question “Do you have any books left?” uses “any” as a determiner to specify whether the subject has more than one book in their possession.
3. 3. Use the plural verb form: Use the plural verb form if “any'' refers to more than one countable noun or the plural form of a noncount noun, which yields the correct subject-verb agreement. For example, you would say, “Are any of your books left?” to complete a sentence using “any” as a pronoun. When using “ any “ as a determiner, you can say, “Do you have any books left?”

Become a better writer with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Roxane Gay, Neil Gaiman, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Dan Brown, and more.