7.3: Indefinite and negative words
- Page ID
- 173591
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Indefinite and Negative Words
Sometimes a noun refers to a person or thing that is not specific. These words are called indefinite words. Someone and something are examples of indefinite words.
Other times we want to use a negative word or negative words to deny an action or existence.
In English, we only use one negative word in a sentence. This is not true in Spanish where we can use two or more negative words in a sentence.
Do you have any suggestions? ¿Tienes algunas sugerencias?
No, I don't have any. The no in this sentence is answering the question. Since we have don't, we then use the English word any. No, no tengo ninguna. In Spanish, we can use the word none instead of any.
¿Quieres decirme algo? Do you want to tell me something?
No, I don't want to tell you anything. No, no quiero decirte nada.
Below are some common indefinite and negative words. and their English translations.
indefinite word negative word
algo something nada nothing
alguien someone nadie no one
*alguno/a/os/as some, any *ninguno/a/os/as none, not any
o…o either…or ni…ni neither…nor
siempre always nunca, jamás never
también also tampoco neither
*Note that alguno and ninguno will become algún and ningún when they precede a singular masculine noun. For example
algún día some day
ningún estudiante no student.
With practice, you will be able to use these words without having to think about them. So, it's practice time!
Prácticas.
A. Translate the following sentences into Spanish.
1. Some mornings I sleep late.
2. I do not want a quiz or a test.
3. We always do the homework.
4. We never dance in class.
5. There is nothing interesting to do.
6. There is always something interesting to learn.
7. Someone is singing outside of class.
8. No one is absent today.
9. Do I want chocolate or vanilla?
10. She wants something to eat.
B. Change the following sentences with indefinite words to sentences with negative words.
1. Yo también.
2. Estebán siempre se levanta temprano.
3. Tenemos algunas noticias.
4. La estudiante siempre tiene algo para beber.
5. Tú tienes algunos mensajes importantes.
6. Siempre duermo suficientemente.
7. Tengo algo para ti.
8. Tienen algunas tareas interesantes.
9. Yo siempre canto en público.
10. ¿Tienen ustedes algo interesante?
C. Answer the following questions negatively.
1. ¿Siempre estudias suficientemente?
2. ¿Quieres aprender algo nuevo?
3. ¿Envias un texto a alguien frecuentemente?
4. ¿Quieres té o café?
5. ¿Estudias con alguien?
6. ¿Tienes algo interesante en tu mochila?
7. ¿Siempre estás preparada?
8. ¿Prefieres tacos o enchiladas?
9. ¿Quieres ir también?
10. ¿Tienes algún regalo para mí?
D. La música. There are a lot of interesting videos for learning Spanish on YouTube and other sources. Look for one that includes or explains indefinite and/or negative words. Remember where you it is and be ready to share it with the class.
E. What is an indefinite word? How are negative sentences different in English and Spanish? Give an example of three indefinite words and three negative sentences in Spanish.