Indefinite Pronouns Jeder, Einige, Mehrere, Manche

There are several indefinite pronouns in German that can also be used as articles. These include jeder, einige, mehrere, and manche. Let's discover how they are used and what they mean.

Jeder

Rule 1: The word jeder can be used as an article or as an indefinite pronoun. If it comes with a noun, it is used as an article. If it stands without a noun, it is an indefinite pronoun.

We use this word when we refer to everyone or everything in a group without exception. It can mean "every" or "everyone."

Rule 2: We only use it in the singular. In plural, it changes to "alle" (all).

Rule 3: It is important to note that the word must always be declined.

Einige

Rule 4: The word einige is usually used to express smaller quantities. We can use it both as a pronoun, i.e. as a substitute for a noun, and as an article.

In the singular einige refers to uncountable nouns, and in the plural - to countable nouns. It can be translated as "some."

Rule 5: It is important that this word, whether used as an article, or a pronoun, must always be declined.

Mehrere

Rule 6: The word mehrere denotes an indefinite, also larger number of people or things of a kind, and means "several." It is used both as a pronoun and as an article.

We only use it in the plural.

Rule 7: We also must always decline this word.

Manche

Rule 8: The word manche denotes a number of isolated persons or things of a kind and means "some." It is used both as a pronoun and as an article. We only use it in the plural.

Rule 9: We must decline in all sentences.

Manche vs. Einige: the Differences

Rule 10: These two words can have similar translations, and often can be used interchangeably. However, most of the time they are used in different contexts.

The main difference between these words is that manche is used when you're talking about something that's a part a larger group (usually less than 50%).

Einige, however, can generally mean "some" where we could replace it with "a few," "a lot," or "several" (a recognizable amount). It is also used more often in German than manche.