From Practical English Usage by Michael Swan: "**Any** is very often used with uncountable nouns and plural nouns. It can have the same kind of meaning as the indefinite article **a/an** has with singular countable nouns. E.g.: I haven't got a car, and I haven't got any money to buy one. Is there a tin-opener in the house? And are there any plates? With this meaning **any** is unusual with singular countable nouns. She hasn't got **a** job. - **NOT**, She hasn't got **any** job. Do you know **a** good doctor? - **NOT**, Do you know **any** good doctor? *With an uncountable noun or plural noun, **any** usually suggests the idea of an indefinite amount or indefinite number.* When there is no idea of quantity or number, **no article** is used. Is there any water in that can? Is there water on the moon? **Any** can be used to emphasise the idea of 'free choice', with the meaning of 'it doesn't matter who/which/what'. With this meaning, **any** is common in affirmative clauses as well as questions and negatives, and is often used with singular countable nouns as well as uncountables and plurals."