some
1 det You use some to refer to a quantity of something or to a number of people or things, when you are not stating the quantity or number precisely.
DET n-uncount/pl-n
Robin opened some champagne..., He went to fetch some books..., Some children refuse to eat at all and others overeat.
Some is also a pronoun., pron
This year all the apples are all red. My niece and nephew are going out this morning with step-ladders to pick some.
2 det You use some to emphasize that a quantity or number is fairly large. For example, if an activity takes some time, it takes quite a lot of time.
DET n-uncount/pl-n (emphasis)
The question of local government finance has been the subject of debate for some years..., I have discussed this topic in some detail..., He remained silent for some time..., It took some effort to conceal her relief.
3 det You use some to emphasize that a quantity or number is fairly small. For example, if something happens to some extent, it happens a little.
DET n-uncount/sing-n (emphasis)
`Isn't there some chance that William might lead a normal life?' asked Jill..., All mothers share to some extent in the tension of a wedding..., Some fishing is still allowed, but limits have been imposed on the size of the catch.
4 quant If you refer to some of the people or things in a group, you mean a few of them but not all of them. If you refer to some of a particular thing, you mean a part of it but not all of it.
QUANT of n-uncount/pl-n (Antonym: all)
Some of the people already in work will lose their jobs..., Remove the cover and spoon some of the sauce into a bowl..., Some of us are sensitive to smells, others find colours easier to remember.
Some is also a pronoun., pron
When the chicken is cooked I'll freeze some.
5 det If you refer to some person or thing, you are referring to that person or thing but in a vague way, without stating precisely which person or thing you mean.
DET sing-n (vagueness)
If you are worried about some aspect of your child's health, call us..., She always thinks some guy is going to come along and fix her life.
6 adv You can use some in front of a number to indicate that it is approximate.
ADV num (vagueness)
(=about)
I have kept birds for some 30 years..., He waited some 80 to 100 yards from the big pink villa...
7 adv Some is used to mean to a small extent or degree.
(AM) ADV after v
If Susanne is off somewhere, I'll kill time by looking around some...
8 det You can use some in front of a noun in order to express your approval or disapproval of the person or thing you are mentioning. INFORMAL, feelings `Some party!'—`Yep. One hell of a party.'
some day , someday
Some day means at a date in the future that is unknown or that has not yet been decided. adv ADV with v, ADV with cl
Some day I'll be a pilot...
