Is it mandatory to use quantifiers in sentences like these:
"Do you have any cofee?", "Can I have some wine?", "I don't have any cats", "Can you speak any other language?". I mean, would it be too weird if I left them out?
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#1
Quantifiers
Imo all but the last of those sentences would be ok without quantifiers, but it depends on the context. Unfortunately, I don't know the rules that determine when it's acceptable.
Learning Italian every day!
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#2
I was wondering why they use "some" "any" "others", especially when you ask for something.
I could just say that they sound wrong without those words.
But when you go say those sentences without them, people will still understand. They are not really big words, but just small things supporting sentences.
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#3
JaeHong.S wrote:I could just say that they sound wrong without those words.
In the first 3 sentences it's not wrong to leave them out, it just changes the nuance. For example:
Host: What would you like to drink?
Guest: Do you have coffee?
This is perfectly acceptable and I'd argue just as common as inserting "any" in there. Adding "any" may add the nuance of the guest being concerned that the host might have run out of coffee. Or what about:
Friend 1: I have tea. Do you have coffee?
Friend 2: Yes.
"Any" would be wrong in this case, assuming one friend was inquiring about another friend's drink.
Learning Italian every day!
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#4