Indefinite Pronouns and Determiners

In brief

Indefinite words refer to people or things without identifying exactly who or which. Some stand alone as pronouns, while others go directly before a noun as determiners.

Form

qualcuno (someone), qualcosa (something), nessuno (no one) stand alone; qualche + singular noun (some), alcuni/alcune + plural noun (some), ogni + singular noun (every).

Usage

• Use qualcuno for an unspecified person and qualcosa for an unspecified thing.
• Use qualche with a singular noun even when the meaning is plural; use alcuni or alcune with plural nouns.
• Use nessuno for ‘no one’; with a verb before it, add non: Non conosco nessuno.
• Use ogni before a singular noun to mean ‘every’.

Examples

• Qualcuno ha lasciato un messaggio per te. — Someone left a message for you.
• Ho comprato qualche libro per il viaggio. — I bought a few books for the trip.
• Non conosco nessuno in questa città. — I don’t know anyone in this city.
• Ogni mattina prendo un caffè. — Every morning I have a coffee.

Common mistake

❌ Ho comprato qualche libri.

✅ Ho comprato qualche libro.

Unlike English ‘some books,’ qualche takes a singular noun, even when it refers to more than one book.

Remember

After qualche and ogni, use a singular noun.