something & nothing

Preview　（腕試し）

Which of the following sentences are natural?

（次の文章の中では、どれが自然でしょうか？　チェックボックスも利用できます。）

1. There is some cola in the fridge.

2. There was something problem at the office yesterday.

3. I have nothing money.

4. There were some donuts on the table, but they are now gone.

5. I have no money.

A. 2 & 3

B. 2, 3 & 4

C. 1, 4 & 5

D. none

　

Explanation （説明）

These kinds of sentences are easy to confuse. Generally speaking, the following guidelines apply:

1. Nothing and something are usually used as pronouns or adverbs.

There is nothing in my refrigerator. (pronoun)

He acts nothing like his older brother. (adverb)

There is something on your tie. What did you have for lunch? (pronoun)

　

2. No and some are usually used as adjectives.

He has no time to study.

Sarah has some free time in the afternoon.

　

Extra Notes

Of course, the above guidelines are not the only ones governing the use of these words. Here are a few more example of usage.

1. Nothing is occasionally used as an adjective, but this usage is rare.

Carl had the nothing task in our project of buying the paper clips.

In this sentence, nothing means "insignificant."

2. Instead of saying have no ~, you can also say don't have any ~ or doesn't have any ~.

Gerald has no friends. (or) Gerald doesn't have any friends.

Exercises（練習）

1. I would love to go to Hawaii, but I can't--I have no nothing some something extra money these days.

2. I heard no nothing some something about his problem yesterday. It sounded serious.

3. I saw no nothing some something Pepsi in the refrigerator. Can I have a little?

4. The box looked heavy, but there was no nothing some something inside it.

5. There is no nothing some something candy in the candy box. I wonder who ate the last piece.

6. Gerald has no nothing some something friends. I'm sure he is quite lonely.

7. I saw no nothing some something of my students in Umeda yesterday. We stopped and talked for a few minutes.

8. no nothing some something is wrong with this copier. When I try to make one copy it makes three copies.

9. Jane and Alfred have no nothing some something in common; she likes heavy metal and he likes classical music.

10. There seems to be no nothing some something problem with this computer--it makes a strange noise when I start it up.

Answers:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.