Can I use "some" as a synonym of "very"?

I heard some used unusually a few times. Based on context, I figured that the meaning of some in that sentences was very.

However, I'm not sure. Can I really use some as a synonym of very?

Here are some examples, starting with stuff.

This is some good stuff = this is very good stuff

With work:

This is some good work = this is a very good work

With news:

This is some good news = this is very good news

Solution 1:

If 'some' is the only modifier attached to a singular noun, it probably will be understood as an adjective meaning 'extraordinary' or 'remarkable', with an implied a/an. To me, this seems like the most obvious reading of the example in Cathy Gartaganis's answer, 'That's some woman!'

The exclamation mark confirms it further, because the other possibility is a disinterested 'That's some woman [or other].'

On the other hand, in the OP examples, without the emphasis of speech I think the focus is on the true ajective 'good'. 'Some' sounds like an expression of quantity in all three cases.

Solution 2:

Not really. Some, as defined by the American Heritage dictionary 5th edition means "remarkable." In the cases you've given, "some" means an unspecified amount. In your sentence "This is some good stuff." it could be argued that "some" means remarkable (hard to know in print) but "some" cannot be exchanged with very because very would be intensifying or modifying "good" in a way that "some" doesn't. "Some" isn't used to make "good" even better -- very does that job.

For example, "That's some boss you've got." some means remarkable. Very wouldn't work as it's usually used as an adverb or as an adjective, as in "the very best."