Pronombres indefinidos
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Indefinite pronouns are vague – they either refer to unspecific nouns or make sweeping generalizations.
Por ejemplo…
| Todo el mundo está aquí. | Everyone is here. | |
| Compró algo. | He bought something. | |
| Tengo un regalo para alguien. | I have a gift for someone. |
Characteristics of indefinite pronouns
- Replace indefinite adjective + noun
- Several are identical to Spanish indefinite adjectives
- May need to agree with the noun they replace in gender or number
- May be subject, direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition
Spanish indefinite pronouns
| Masculine | Feminine | ||
| algo | something | ||
| alguien | someone | ||
| alguno | alguna | a certain one | |
| algunos | algunas | some, a few | |
| cada uno | cada una | each one | |
| ciertos | ciertas | some | |
| cualquiera | anyone, whoever | ||
| muchos | muchas | a lot, much, many | |
| un otro | una otra | another one | |
| otros | otras | others | |
| sí | one | ||
| sí mismo | sí misma | oneself | |
| todo | everything | ||
| todo el mundo | everyone | ||
| uno | una | one | |
| varios | varias | some, several |
Using indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns are a varied lot; there are a number of characteristics and rules that apply to some but not all of them.
Agreement
- The pronouns alguno and otro have to agree with the nouns they replace in gender and number.
- Cada uno, ciertos, muchos, sí mismo, uno, and varios have to agree with the nouns they replace in gender.
- The other indefinite pronnouns are invariable.
Antecedent
Alguno, cada uno, otro, and varios require an antecedent: a previously mentioned or implied noun that makes it obvious they are replacing.
| Perdí mi pluma, entonces tengo que comprar una otra. | I lost my pen, so I have to buy another one. | |
| Tiene 50 libros y quiero leer cada uno. | He has 50 books and I want to read each one. |
De + pronoun / noun
Algunos, cada uno, muchos, uno, and varios can be followed by the preposition de plus a plural subject pronoun or a noun.
| Uno de vosotros tiene que ayudarme. | One of you has to help me. | |
| Algunos de los estudiantes están aquí. | Some of the students are here. |
Verb conjugations
Singular indefinite pronouns (algo, alguien, alguno, cada uno, etc) take the third person singular form of the verb.
| ¿Todo está bien? | Is everything ok? | |
| Alguien debe saber. | Someone must know. |
Plural indefinite pronouns (algunos, ciertos, muchos, etc) take the third person plural.
| Algunos están en la cocina. | Some are in the kitchen. | |
| Hay otros que saben. | There are others who know. |
Sí is the indefinite reflexive prepositional pronoun.
Uno is the indefinite subject pronoun.
Related lessons
En français
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