CONTENT
Indefinites are words that express ambiguity in quantity. They can be determiners or pronouns and are categorized into four main groups according to their variability.
Spanish
English
Algunas personas quieren vivir en otro país.
Some people want to live in another country.
Group one - Variable Indefinites
Rule 1. Some indefinites can vary in gender and number, which means that they must agree with the noun they are complementing or replacing.
Some indefinite words in this group include:
| Masculine Singular and Plural | Feminine Singular and Plural | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| alguno, algunos | alguna, algunas | some |
| otro, otros | otra, otras | other |
| mucho, muchos | mucha, muchas | many |
| poco, pocos | poca, pocas | few |
| todo, todos | toda, todas | every |
| cierto, ciertos | cierta, ciertas | certain |
| Masculine Singular and Plural | Feminine Singular and Plural | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| alguno, algunos | alguna, algunas | some |
| otro, otros | otra, otras | other |
| mucho, muchos | mucha, muchas | many |
| poco, pocos | poca, pocas | few |
| todo, todos | toda, todas | every |
| cierto, ciertos | cierta, ciertas | certain |
Spanish
English
Algunas personas son introvertidas, otras son extrovertidas.
Some people are introverted, others are extroverted.
Group two- Just gender
Rule 2. The indefinites of the second group are also variable, but only in gender.
Some examples include:
| Masculine Form | Feminine Form | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| ningún/ninguno | ninguna | none |
| varios | varias | several |
| Masculine Form | Feminine Form | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| ningún/ninguno | ninguna | none |
| varios | varias | several |
Correct
Spanish
English
No me gusta ninguna prenda.
I don't like any item of clothing.
Incorrect
Spanish
English
No me gustan ningunas prendas.
I don't like any of the garments.
Group three - Just number
Rule 3. Similarly, the indefinites belonging to this group vary only in number.
One of the words in this group is:
| Plural | Singular | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| bastante | bastantes | plenty |
| Plural | Singular | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| bastante | bastantes | plenty |
Spanish
English
Hay bastante comida en la fiesta.
There is plenty of food at the party.
Hay bastantes platillos en la fiesta.
There are quite a few dishes at the party.
Group four - Not variable
Rule 4. The indefinites of the last group, as their name indicates, do not vary in gender or number.
Some examples include:
| Indefinite | Translation |
|---|---|
| alguien | someone |
| algo | something |
| nada | nothing |
| nadie | no one |
| cada | each |
| Indefinite | Translation |
|---|---|
| alguien | someone |
| algo | something |
| nada | nothing |
| nadie | no one |
| cada | each |
Indefinite Words - Form
Indefinite words will vary in form depending on which one is being used and with what function.
Rule 6. For example, indefinite determiners are placed before the noun, and if they are variable, they must agree with the noun's number and/or gender.
Spanish
English
Algunos estudiantes son nerviosos.
Some students are nervous.
Rule 7. If they are being used as pronouns, they must go before the verb. Consider whether they are variable or not so that they agree with the noun they are replacing.
Spanish
English
Muchos dijeron que esto era una mala idea.
Many said this was a bad idea.
Quiz
1/4
_________ personas practican deportes.
0
correct answers.