[Grammar] Indefinite Pronouns in Conditionals

[crazyaboutenglish]

Hi,

I've learned that I use "any", "anyone" etc., in a question and negative sentence but now I've seen a sentence which said:-

If there are any problems with the new machine, please tell me.

Is this wrong because it's not a negative sentence or question? Should it be:-

If there are some problems with the new machine, please tell me.

Thank you!

 

[kobeobie]

I'm not a ESL teacher or a grammar expert but I am however a native English speaker and the use of any in this instance sounds correct.Sorry I can not explain the grammatical reasons behind why it is correct.

 

[charliedeut]

Hi,

I've learned that I use "any", "anyone" etc., in a question and negative sentence but now I've seen a sentence which said:-

If there are any problems with the new machine, please tell me.

Is this wrong because it's not a negative sentence or question? Should it be:-

If there are some problems with the new machine, please tell me.

Thank you!

Hi,

Maybe this will help you (definition 1.a)

charliedeut

 

[5jj]

See also this.

 

[Tdol]

Is this wrong because it's not a negative sentence or question?

No, it's not wrong- the 'rule' you're thinking of is not actually a rule- many rules are more guidelines than absolute rules.