Already, Another, Any

Already and all ready

Already is an adverb of time. It means ‘sooner than expected’. All ready means all + ready.

• She has already arrived.
• I have already sent the report.
• We are all ready. Let’s go.

Another and other

Another is one word.

• She has bought another apartment. (NOT She has bought an other apartment.)
• Have you got another pen?
• Do you have any other color?
• Where are the other books?

Any and some

Any is mostly used in questions and negative sentences. Some is used in affirmative sentences.

• I need some razors.
• Have you got any razors?
• No, I haven’t got any razors.
• Have you got any questions?
• She hasn’t got any money.
• I have planted some lilies in the garden.
• There aren’t any roses in the garden.

No and not any

No means the same as not any, but is more emphatic.

• She has got no children. (More emphatic)
• She hasn’t got any children. (Less emphatic)
• I have got no money.
• I have not got any money.

Any and any of

Before a pronoun or a noun with a determiner (e.g. articles, demonstratives and possessives), we use any of.

• Have you read any of these books? (NOT Have you read any these books?)
• I don’t like any of them.

Before a noun with no determiner we use any.

• Any child can learn to swim. (NOT Any of child can learn to swim.)

Around and about

Both around and about can be used to refer to movements or positions that are not very definite or clear.

• Why are those guys standing about / around the corner?
• ‘Where is Sally?’ ‘She must be somewhere around / about.’