Some thing, Anything, Everything – English Grammar Exercises for A2
Your friend Mark has just arrived at your house for a visit. You want to be a good host and make him feel welcome. Read the conversation below and choose the best option (A, B, or C) to complete each sentence.
1 You: “Welcome to my home, Mark! Please sit down. Can I get you _____ to drink?”
(A) anything
(B) something
(C) everything
2 You: “You must be tired after the long drive. Would you like _____ to eat?”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
3 You: “I just went to the supermarket yesterday, so we have _____ we need in the fridge.”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
4 You: “I can make hot coffee, or I can pour you a glass of juice. Do you want _____ cold?”
(A) anything
(B) something
(C) everything
5 Mark: “A cold drink would be nice. I didn’t drink _____ during the trip.”
(A) everything
(B) something
(C) anything
6 You: “Here is your apple juice. Would you care for _____ sweet to go with it, like a piece of cake?”
(A) anything
(B) everything
(C) something
7 Mark: “That sounds wonderful. Wow, _____ on this table looks so delicious!”
(A) something
(B) everything
(C) anything
8 You: “I baked these cookies this morning. Can I offer you _____ else besides the cake?”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
9 Mark: “No, thank you. If I eat too much now, I won’t be able to eat _____ for dinner.”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
10 You: “Make yourself at home. If you are still hungry later, you can take _____ from the fridge.”
(A) anything
(B) something
(C) everything
11 You: “I see your glass is empty. Would you like _____ else to drink?”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
12 Mark: “Just some water, please. I don’t want _____ too sweet this time.”
(A) everything
(B) something
(C) anything
13 You: “Here is your water. Do you need _____ to wipe your hands? I have clean napkins here.”
(A) anything
(B) something
(C) everything
14 Mark: “Yes, please. Oh, I dropped a piece of cake. Did I ruin _____ on the rug?”
(A) anything
(B) something
(C) everything
15 You: “Don’t worry, it’s just a small crumb. _____ is perfectly fine.”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
16 You: “It’s getting a bit chilly in the living room. Can I bring you _____ to keep you warm, like a blanket?”
(A) everything
(B) anything
(C) something
17 Mark: “A blanket would be lovely. I didn’t bring _____ warm in my suitcase.”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
18 You: “I’ll get it right now. While I’m up, can I grab you _____ from the kitchen?”
(A) something
(B) anything
(C) everything
19 Mark: “No, I’m completely fine. I really don’t need _____ else.”
(A) anything
(B) something
(C) everything
20 You: “Alright then. Just relax and enjoy the movie. _____ is taken care of!”
(A) Something
(B) Anything
(C) Everything
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) something
- Why it’s correct: This is an offer (Can I get you…?). When offering something to a guest, we use “something” to show politeness and hospitality, expecting them to say “Yes.”
- Error Analysis: (A) Using “anything” in an offer sounds cold or indifferent, as if you don’t really care if they accept. (C) “Everything” is a meaning trap (you can’t offer all the drinks you own at once).
2 (A) something
- Why it’s correct: A classic polite offer (Would you like…?). We must use “something.”
- Error Analysis: (B) “Anything” is a very common mistake for A2 learners who incorrectly assume that all questions must use “anything.” (C) Meaning trap.
3 (C) everything
- Why it’s correct: An affirmative sentence expressing completeness. “We have all the things we need.”
- Error Analysis: (A) “Something” means you only have one item, which contradicts the idea of a full fridge. (B) “Anything” is a structural error in this context.
4 (B) something
- Why it’s correct: Even though it is a question (Do you want…?), it functions as an offer. The host expects the guest to choose a cold drink.
- Error Analysis: (A) Common grammatical mistake. (C) Meaning trap.
5 (C) anything
- Why it’s correct: This is a standard negative sentence (didn’t drink). We must use “anything” to indicate zero quantity.
- Error Analysis: (B) Basic grammatical error. (A) “Didn’t drink everything” means he drank some things but not all, which contradicts the fact that he is thirsty.
6 (C) something
- Why it’s correct: Another polite offer (Would you care for…?).
- Error Analysis: (A) Common mistake. (B) Meaning trap.
7 (B) everything
- Why it’s correct: The guest is praising the entire table (“all things” look delicious). It acts as a singular subject.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Something” is too weak (praising only one item). (C) Grammatical error.
8 (A) something
- Why it’s correct: An offer (Can I offer you…?). The host is actively suggesting more food.
- Error Analysis: (B) Common mistake. (C) Meaning trap.
9 (B) anything
- Why it’s correct: Negative sentence (won’t be able to eat). It requires “anything” to mean “not a single thing.”
- Error Analysis: (A) Grammatical error. (C) Meaning trap.
10 (A) anything
- Why it’s correct: In affirmative sentences, “anything” can mean “it doesn’t matter what” (free choice). You can take whichever item you want.
- Error Analysis: (B) Using “something” here restricts the guest to one specific, pre-chosen item. (C) “Everything” means taking the entire contents of the fridge!
11 (A) something
- Why it’s correct: An offer to refill a drink (Would you like…?).
- Error Analysis: (B) Common mistake. (C) Meaning trap.
12 (C) anything
- Why it’s correct: Negative sentence (don’t want).
- Error Analysis: (B) Grammatical error (do not use “something” in negative sentences). (A) Meaning trap.
13 (B) something
- Why it’s correct: The host sees the guest needs to wipe his hands and proactively offers help (Do you need…?). Because the host has napkins ready and expects a “Yes,” “something” is correct.
- Error Analysis: (A) Common mistake. (C) Meaning trap.
14 (A) anything
- Why it’s correct: This is a genuine, general question (Did I ruin…?). The guest truly doesn’t know the answer, so “anything” is required.
- Error Analysis: (B) If he used “something,” it would imply he knows he ruined a specific spot and is just confirming it, which doesn’t fit his anxious tone. (C) Meaning trap.
15 (C) everything
- Why it’s correct: Reassurance that “all things” are perfectly fine.
- Error Analysis: (A) “Something” implies only one thing is fine. (B) Grammatical error.
16 (C) something
- Why it’s correct: An offer to bring an item for warmth (Can I bring you…?).
- Error Analysis: (A) Meaning trap. (B) Common mistake due to the “questions always use anything” misconception.
17 (B) anything
- Why it’s correct: Negative sentence (didn’t bring).
- Error Analysis: (A) Grammatical error. (C) Meaning trap.
18 (A) something
- Why it’s correct: An offer to get snacks/drinks (Can I grab you…?).
- Error Analysis: (B) Common mistake. (C) Meaning trap.
19 (A) anything
- Why it’s correct: Negative sentence (don’t need).
- Error Analysis: (B) Grammatical error. (C) Meaning trap.
20 (C) Everything
- Why it’s correct: A concluding statement meaning “all preparations” are complete.
- Error Analysis: (A) Too weak (only one preparation is complete). (B) Grammatical error.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
1 The Crucial Exception for “SOMETHING” (Questions):
- General Rule: Usually, we learn that “Anything” is used for questions.
- The Exception (Offers & Requests): When a question is an OFFER (inviting someone to have or do something) or a REQUEST (asking someone to do something for you), you MUST use “Something”.
- Why? When you offer food or drink to a guest, you want to sound warm, hospitable, and sincere. You are expecting (or hoping) they will say “Yes.” Using “Anything” (e.g., Would you like anything to drink?) sounds cold, distant, or like you don’t actually want to serve them.
- Classic Offer Phrases to Memorize:
- Would you like something to eat/drink?
- Can I get you something?
- Do you want something cold?
2 Reviewing “ANYTHING”:
- Use in negative sentences (with not, don’t, didn’t, won’t) to mean zero quantity. (I don’t need anything.)
- Use in general questions when you truly do not know the answer. (Did I ruin anything?)
- Use in affirmative sentences to mean “it doesn’t matter what” or “free choice.” (Take anything from the fridge.)
3 Reviewing “EVERYTHING”:
- Used to group all items together (“all things”).
- It acts as a singular pronoun and always takes a singular verb (is, was, has). (Everything is perfectly fine.)