Standing at a café counter, wondering what sweet things they have? The question is simple, but beginners often drop the auxiliary do or pick the wrong word for “anything”.
How to ask for something sweet in English
The natural choice is Do you have anything sweet? Word for word it’s “you have anything sweet?”, which maps neatly onto the Ukrainian «у вас є щось солоденьке?». You may also hear Is there anything sweet?, but do you have is the direct, always-safe version.
- Do you have anything sweet?Asking a server or shopkeeper what sweets they have.
- Do you have anything sweet without nuts?Adding a condition, such as an allergy or a taste preference.
- Do you have anything sweet for the kids?Asking for something for a specific group of people.
The Ukrainian «у вас є» is not translated as you are. Think of the verb have: I have, you have, she has. Learners often reach for is because “є” looks like “is”, but in questions like this one, have is what you need.
Do or does: it depends on the subject
The auxiliary in the question depends on the subject. With I, you, we, they use do; with he, she, it use does. After either one, the main verb is in the base form: have, not has.
- Does she have anything sweet?The same question about one person: she.
- Do they have anything sweet?The same question about a group: they.
Anything or something?
In questions and negatives, English usually says anything: Do you have anything…?, I don’t have anything sweet. Something is more typical in statements: I have something sweet for you. In questions, Do you have something sweet? also sounds natural, especially when you expect a yes, so it isn’t wrong.
Common mistakes
- You have anything sweet? — a question needs the auxiliary. Rising intonation can work in speech, but in writing it’s an error.
- Does you have…? — with you, it’s always do.
- Do you has…? — after do/does, the verb has no -s.
- Have you anything…? — grammatical, but old-fashioned. British speakers often say Have you got anything sweet?; Americans usually say Do you have.
What to say next
Once you’ve chosen, you’ll need the bill: Can we get our check, please? If you’re taking a drink away, try Can I get a latte to go, please?
Check yourself
Say it in English, then reveal the answer:
1.Ask if they have anything sweet without sugar.
Answer
Do you have anything sweet without sugar?
2.Ask if she has anything sweet.
Answer
Does she have anything sweet?
3.Tell a friend you have nothing sweet at home.
Answer
I don’t have anything sweet at home.
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