Which is correct: Do any or Does any?

[marina]

Dear Susan,
Could you help me, please?
Which is correct :'do' or 'does' + any+ countables?

Do any of your students speak English? or Does any of your students speak English?

What are the rules of verb-noun agreement, especially with none, any, etc.?

Thank you, Marina
Russia

[Lucy]

Dear Marina,

In the sentences you give, the first is correct.

Do any of your students speak English?

This is considered to be plural because it's possible that a large number of the students speak English.

However, you would say:

Does anybody speak English?

Anybody always takes a singular verb. The same goes for nobody, somebody and everybody.

None can be used with a singular or plural verb, depending on what it refers to.

Is there any cheese left? No, there's none left. Cheese is uncountable and takes a singular verb. So does none.

Are there any chocolates left? No, there are none left. Chocolates are countable and take a plural verb.In this instance none also takes a plural verb.

I hope this will help you.

Best wishes

Lucy