Indefinite Determiners and Numerals Explained

Indefinite Determiners and Pronouns

Indefinite determiners and pronouns allude to concepts such as quantity but in a generally vague and indeterminate manner. They are opposed to numerals, which indicate exact amounts.

Indefinite determiners are incompatible with non-count nouns in the plural unless referring to classes, properties, etc.

Common Indefinite Terms

• un/una (a, an)
• alguno/a/os/as (some, any)
• ninguno/a/os/as (no, none, not any)
• cualquier/a, cualesquiera (whatever, whichever)
• quienquiera, quienesquiera (whoever)
• demás (other, rest)
• otro/a/os/as (other, another)
• vario/a/os/as (various, several)
• mucho/a/os/as (much, many)
• poco/a/os/as (little, few)
• cierto/a/os/as (certain)
• más (more)
• menos (less, fewer)
• bastante/es (enough, quite a lot)
• todo/a/os/as (all, every)
• cada (each, every)

Characteristics of Indefinite Determiners and Pronouns

• The indefinite determiners un/una, algún/alguna, ningún/ninguna and their variants are shorter forms and always appear before nouns to function as determiners.
• The forms uno and ninguno can appear after the noun, while alguno/a/os/as and ninguno/a/os/as can appear before or after.
• They are generally not compatible with articles, demonstratives, or possessives, but can be followed by the indefinite otro/a and its variants.
• They can function as pronouns when the noun is not explicitly stated.
• They can function as nouns (substantivize). For example: Algunos llegaron tarde (Some arrived late), Ninguno sabía la respuesta (None knew the answer).
• With feminine singular nouns beginning with a stressed 'a' or 'ha', the masculine singular forms algún and ningún are used instead of alguna and ninguna (e.g., algún agua, ningún hacha).

Numerals

Numerals are words that express quantity or order.

1. Cardinal Numerals

Cardinal numerals always indicate an exact quantity of the entities designated by nouns. They can function as determiners or pronouns. As pronouns, they can be followed by partitive complements (e.g., tres de ellos - three of them). They can precede simple or compound nouns. If they appear after the noun, they acquire an ordinal value (e.g., capítulo tres - chapter three).

2. Ordinal Numerals

Ordinal numerals indicate order or succession (e.g., fourth, fifth). They always modify the noun they accompany and typically function as adjectives. They cannot function as determiners or pronouns in the same way cardinals do. They can precede or follow the noun (e.g., the fourth student, room four). Like adjectives, ordinals can function as nouns (substantivize).

3. Partitive Numerals

Partitive numerals indicate parts into which a unit is divided (e.g., half, quarter). In Spanish, they are often formed with suffixes like '-avo' or '-ero' (e.g., onceavo - eleventh part). Partitives should not be confused with ordinals.

4. Multiplicative Numerals

Multiplicative numerals indicate multiplication (e.g., double, triple). They function as noun modifiers and can also function as nouns.

5. Dual Numerals

The dual numerals ambos and ambas (both) are equivalent to dos (two). They require their referents to have been mentioned previously in the context. They function as determiners and also as pronouns. They cannot function as nouns on their own.