Is this a proper sentence? "there should be any problem" I know we can say "there shouldnt be any problem" But can we say "there should be any problem" ?
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Relevant:Can I say “I'm glad I was of any help”?, Does it sound weird to say “ I hope I can be of any use (help) to you” in a cover letter?, Explain something: anything– herissonCommented Mar 12, 2016 at 16:06
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what? ı dont understand what u said? All Im asking is " There should be any problem" is this a proper sentence?– johnCommented Mar 12, 2016 at 16:20
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1No: determinative "any" when used this way is restricted to non-affirmative contexts like There aren't any problems, Your example is an affirmative one, so "any" is not possible, and in this instance it yields an ungrammatical sentence.– BillJCommented Mar 12, 2016 at 16:50
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2The wording "there should be any problem" can meaningfully appear as part of a longer "if" phrase: "If there should be any problem with the WaxMaster, call our tech support hotline." Because your question presents the wording in all-lowercase letters, it's impossible to tell whether you're asking if the sentence "There should be any problem" makes sense (it doesn't) or if the phrase "there should be any problem" can appear in a grammatically correct and meaningful sentence (it can).– Sven YargsCommented Mar 12, 2016 at 17:25
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1@FumbleFingers You've repeated what I said about polarity. I think the OP understands it now.– BillJCommented Mar 12, 2016 at 18:06
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1 Answer
No, this does not make any sense at all. You should phrase it as, "there could be a problem". This encapsulates the ideas that there could be some problem, and that of an unknown variety (replacing the use of any).
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2Yes, but you've omitted the crucial aspect of 'orientation'. "Any" in the sense we're discussing here is restricted to non-affirmative contexts. Which is why the OP's first example is ungrammatical, but his second one is okay. It's important to bring out that point.– BillJCommented Mar 12, 2016 at 18:17