Is "any" singular or plural

Question

If I see any merchandise out of place, I fix it.

or should it be ...I fix them.

Merchandise is a singular mass noun, so it should be it. As for any, it can modify either singular or plural, and can refer to either when alone. — John Lawler, Commented Jan 29, 2021 at 22:33

Toby Speight · Accepted Answer · 2021-09-26 15:54:35Z

1

"Any" is just a modifier for this purpose - the number of the noun it modifies is unchanged:

If I see any merchandise out of place, I'll fix it. (mass noun)

If I see any item out of place, I'll fix it. (singular noun)

If I see any items out of place, I'll fix them. (plural noun)

answered Sep 26, 2021 at 15:54

Toby Speight

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ZacZac · Accepted Answer · 2021-01-29 23:12:52Z

0

"Any" is neither singular nor plural - it means "one or more [optionally: of the following] things."

Any car that hits that pothole will suffer tire damage.

or

Any moths that see the light are irresistibly drawn to it.

But "merchandise" (in your example) is singular.

answered Jan 29, 2021 at 23:12

Zac

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