You undefined pronouns in Spanish, indefinite pronouns, are part of the extensive class of pronouns, which are words that fulfill a function similar to a substantive, considered as "names", or noun phrase. Let's remember that a noun phrase is a word or set of words that are articulated around a nominal head and that can exercise some syntactic function, with the exception of the verb function.
Indefinite pronouns, specifically, give a non-concrete, indefinite or indeterminate information about the reality to which they refer. They are also considered as "quantitative" pronouns, because they indicate a indeterminate number of objects.
Read too: The conjunctions - indispensable elements for the cohesion of texts in Spanish
What are the indefinite pronouns?
In the table below we have an extensive and complete list of indefinite pronouns used in Spanish:
SINGULAR |
PLURAL FORM |
||
masculine |
female |
masculine |
female |
one |
unite |
ones |
some |
some |
some |
some |
some |
nobody |
nobody |
= |
= |
pit |
pool |
little |
puddles |
scarce |
sparse |
meager |
meager |
a lot |
much |
many |
many |
too |
too much |
too many |
too many |
whole |
all |
all |
all |
= |
= |
many |
several |
another |
another |
others |
others |
tan, so much |
so much |
many |
so many |
NEUTRAL | |||
singular |
plural form |
||
something |
= |
||
nothing |
= |
||
quite |
enough |
||
someone |
= |
||
nadie |
= |
||
whatever |
cualesquiera |
||
such |
tales |
||
but of |
= |
Let's look at some examples of clauses that use indefinite pronouns:
- I have ones books in the salon.
(I have some books in the living room.)
- ¿Hay some does it differentiate between them from the options?
(Is there any difference between the two options?)
- Don't fall for me nobody plate.
(I don't have a penny left.)
- Cable of little seconds oyó una strong explosion.
(After a few seconds there was a loud explosion.)
- Hay meager naranjas in the nevera.
(There are few oranges in the fridge.)
- Plastic takes a while many años en descomponerse.
(Plastic takes many years to decompose.)
This is an excuse too sensitive.
(This is too simple an excuse.)
- From the table I taste all the foods.
(I like all the food on the table.)
- Exist several evolutionary theories.
(There are several evolutionary theories.)
- Why do you believe that those materials are used and not others?
(Why do you think those materials are used and not others?)
- Was tan Feo what its amazing appearance.
(It was so ugly that it looked amazing.)
- Celebrate something es recognize its value and show appreciation.
(To celebrate something is to recognize its value and show gratitude.)
- When you use the light, it doesn't work nothing.
(When the light goes out, nothing works.)
- The structure of the program is quite complex.
(The structure of the program is quite complex.)
- Do you know the someone who have hypertension problems?
(Do you know anyone who has hypertension problems?)
nadie you can decide your future in your place.
(No one can decide your future for you.)
- Choose whatever cell phone that you like.
(Choose any cell phone you like.)
tales questions appear in all cultures.
(Such questions appear in all cultures.)
Based on these scientific constructions, they are elaborated but of.
(From these scientific constructions, the others are elaborated.)
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Apocopes in undefined pronouns
One "apocalypse” is a linguistic phenomenon that suppress a sound at the end of a word. Among the indefinite pronouns, we have two of them that are influenced by this phenomenon, namely, some and nobody.
In Spanish, when one of these two pronouns precedes a masculine noun, there is a rule according to which we must reduce them to forms some and nobody. Notice the difference between them in the following examples.
- Can you recommend me some Chinese food restaurant? Know some?
(Can you recommend any Chinese food restaurants? Do you know some?)
- This Saturday at tengo nobody event where to go, ¡nobody!
(This Saturday I don't have any events to go, none!)
See too: the adverbs – grammar class that determines the circumstances in Spanish
solved exercises
Question 01 - Check the alternative where the indefinite pronoun is incorrect:
The) In life, there is never too much love.
B) I have nothing in the pockets.
ç) I'm listening to someone.
d) Among all the ones I've read, none of the books have interested me.
and) The rest of the members are in due course.
Resolution
Alternative D, since the pronoun is preceding a masculine noun, thus, it must undergo apocope, thus forming the form nobody.
question 2 - Choose the correct option:
a) No dejaré influence me by nobody/nobody political.
b) My motorcycle has been the same/enough agonies lately.
c) Hay meager/cualesquiera options to win.
d) In love and in war whole/nobody OK.
e) Hub pool/all public participation in voting.
Answers:
The) nobody
B) enough
ç) meager
d) whole
and) pool
By Diego Guimarães Gontijo
Spanish teacher
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
GONTIJO, Diego Guimarães. "Undefined Pronouns"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/espanhol/pronombres-indefinidos.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
