Difference between "a" and "any"

Question

what is difference between the two following sentences? And which one is grammatical?

1- If there is a car in the garden, it will be towed away.

2- If there is any car in the garden, it will be towed away.

Please note that I am making a general statement and thinking of just one car.

Related: Difference between the use of “a” and “any” in these examples? — ColleenV, Commented Jan 8, 2018 at 13:28
No, not any. If there is any coffee in the garden, it will be removed. — Lambie, Commented Jun 14, 2022 at 23:15

Nick · Accepted Answer · 2018-01-08 08:45:58Z

1

"a" is an article meaning "one of something":

I have one book; therefore, I have a book.

"any" is an adjective meaning "some, no matter how many or how few there may be". It is often used in questions:

Are there any books in your bag? (Question)

Yes, there are some books in my bag. (Answer)

It is also used in statements to replace the adjective "some" in negative statements:

I haven't any money in my pocket. (negated: haven't = have not)

I have some money in my pocket. (positive)

I hope this might have helped you out. Should you have any more questions, feel free to ask and I shall try to answer. Take care and good luck!

answered Jan 8, 2018 at 8:39

Nick

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Thank you Nick, your answer is great. So are both the above sentences correct?
– user256007
Commented Jan 8, 2018 at 8:58
@user256007, both are not correct. see my answer
– Kailash Chandra Polai
Commented Jan 8, 2018 at 14:15
Yes, your examples are fine. Using "were" and "would", rather than what you've used above, makes the statement contrary to fact in the present. Using "was" is not correct in Kailash's example above; however, it is such a common error among native speakers that I am not going to belabor it right now.
– Nick
Commented Jan 8, 2018 at 18:22
Sorry, but your answer is correct but this sentence: "If there is any car in the garden, it will be towed away". is not. Nick's own answer says: any books with an s. The OP's question would therefore have to be: any cars with an s. "Is there any car" is not grammatical. Are there any cars in the garden?
– Lambie
Commented May 12, 2019 at 15:39

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