of any

USAGE SUMMARY

'of any' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a broad range or a lack of specificity. For example: "I haven't seen any sign of any progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Poodles, of any size.

The New York Times

Devoid of any empathy.

The New York Times

Of any kind?

The New York Times

Glass of any kind.

The New Yorker

I'm not aware of any.

The New York Times - Magazine

The rejection of any authority.

The New York Times

The timing of any W.T.O.

The New York Times

I don't know of any".

The New York Times

No contact of any kind".

The New Yorker

That's true of any film".

The New York Times - Arts

No sign of any hogs.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of any" to indicate a broad range or a lack of specificity. For instance, "There isn't any evidence of any wrongdoing."

Common error

Avoid using "of any" excessively in lengthy sentences, as this can lead to redundancy and make the writing seem convoluted. Simplify by removing redundant instances or rephrasing the sentence for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of any" functions as a prepositional modifier, specifying a lack of restriction or limitation. As shown by Ludwig, it broadens the scope of the noun it modifies, indicating that the statement applies regardless of the particular type or kind.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

43%

News & Media

40%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "of any" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate a broad range or a lack of specificity. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity and widespread use. While "of any" is frequently found in news, media, and wiki contexts, writers should avoid overuse in complex sentences and be mindful of potential redundancies. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing scenarios. Be sure to explore alternatives such as "of whatever kind" and "of every kind" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of whatever kind

Emphasizes the lack of limitation regarding the type or nature of something.

of every kind

Focuses on including all possible varieties or categories.

of all types

Highlights the inclusion of all possible types within a given category.

of any kind whatsoever

Adds extra emphasis to the lack of restrictions.

of any sort

A slightly less formal way to express the same lack of restrictions.

of all descriptions

Emphasizes the variety and diversity of something.

of each and every

Focuses on including each and every individual item or category.

of no particular

Indicates that something does not belong to any specific category.

irrespective of

Highlights that something is not affected by the type or nature of something else.

regardless of

Similar to 'irrespective of', but perhaps slightly more common.

FAQs

How can I use "of any" in a sentence?

Use "of any" to indicate a lack of specificity or restriction. For example, "Do you have proof "of any" kind?"

What are some alternatives to "of any"?

You can use alternatives like "of whatever kind", "of every kind", or "of all types" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "any of" instead of "of any"?

While both phrases can express generality, they are used in different contexts. "Any of" typically refers to a selection from a defined group, while "of any" describes a characteristic without specifying a group. For example: "Any of these books" vs. "Proof of any wrongdoing".

What's the difference between "of any" and "of all"?

"Of any" implies a lack of restriction, whereas "of all" suggests inclusion of everything. For instance, "There isn't a sign "of any" Martians yet", versus "The best of all time".