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a puzzling choice

 
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jasonlulu_2000



Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 879
PostPosted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 1:42 am    Post subject: a puzzling choice Reply with quote
We had three sets of garden tools and we seemed to have no use for ___.
A. any B. each

Which one is more suitable? Why?


Thanks

Jason
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tyreless



Joined: 22 Jul 2008
Posts: 46
Location: Colombia
PostPosted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 1:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hello Jason
Quote:
We had three sets of garden tools and we seemed to have no use for any of them.

Each can only be used before a singular noun. �Them� is a plural pronoun. �Any� is used for indefinite amounts and if the quantity involved doesn�t matter. It doesn�t here since none of the garden tools seemed to work anyhow.
Hope it helps Wink
David
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jasonlulu_2000



Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 879
PostPosted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 9:09 pm    Post subject: thanks Reply with quote
thanks for your reply, but couldn't we say :
We had three sets of garden tools and we seemed to have no use for EACH OF THEM?

I think each can be put in front of "of them" as well as " any of them".

Am i right?

Thanks

Jason
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tyreless



Joined: 22 Jul 2008
Posts: 46
Location: Colombia
PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 1:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
We had three sets of garden tools and we seemed to have no use for EACH OF THEM?


Yes, you can say that but the meaning would be different to "any of them".
It would mean that you were able to use one or two of them but not all.

"Each" is used to refer to individual items.
"I have five patients and visit each one of them at least once a day."

"We had three sets of garden tools and we seemed to have no use for any of them."means that none of them could be used.

I had hoped to be able to buy some apples but there wern't any left.

Both "each of them" and "any of them" are correct but they have different meanings.
Does that help Confused
David
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jasonlulu_2000



Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 879
PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 1:49 am    Post subject: thanks Reply with quote
Thanks.
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