Undetermined pronouns algo, alguien, alguno

¿Alguien necesita algo?

This lesson is about only three words that have been missing in your Spanish vocabulary. They are called undetermined pronouns.

algo – something

alguien – somebody

alguno – some

Algo

algo – something, anything

Algo is used to replace inanimate objects.

Quiero decir algo – I want to say something

¿Oyes algo? – Do you hear anything?

Mira, en tu buzón hay algo – Look, there is something inside your mailbox

Try it yourself:

I want to eat something

Do you want to drink anything?

Maria says that she has something for me

Do you want to buy anything? (vosotros)

Alguien

alguien – somebody, anybody

Alguien replaces a person.

Alguien te espera fuera – Somebody waits for you outdoors

¿Te llama alguien por las noches? – Does anyone call you at night?

¿Hay alguien en casa? – Anybody home?

As alguien substitutes a person, it requires the a preposition, when there is an action directed towards it.

Veo a alguien – I see somebody

¿Esperas a alguien? – Do you wait for anybody?

Try it yourself:

Does anyone know where Juan is?

Do you know anybody from Ibiza?

My sister calls to somebody on Saturdays

Do you hear anybody?

Jose helps someone

Alguno

alguno – some, any

Alguno is referred to a noun and takes its form.

algún libro – some book

alguna manera – some way

algunos amigos – some friends

algunas preguntas – some questions

¿Tienes algún diccionario? – Do you have any dictionary?

¿Hay algún banco cerca de aquí? – Is there any bank near here?

Marcelo tiene algunos planes para mañana – Marcelo has some plans for tomorrow

Los estudiantes tienen algunas dudas – The students have some doubts

As you can see, alguno is changed to algún in masculine singular form.

Necesito algún descanso – I need some rest

The full form alguno is used when the noun is omitted.

Yo tengo un coche. Y tú, ¿tienes alguno? – I have a car. And you? Do you have any (car)?

alguno de – one of, some of

Different forms of alguno can be used with the preposition de, selecting one object from a variety.

Alguna de estas chicas es la hermana de Sofía – One of these girls is Sofia’s sister

Alguno de estos señores es profesor de inglés – One of these gentlemen is an English teacher

Algunos de estos coches son muy viejos – Some of these cars are very old

You may think of alguno as another form of uno with the prefix alg-. Sometimes they can be used interchangeably.

un día – algún día

unas cosas – algunas cosas

unos de los chicos – algunos de los chicos

Try it yourself:

Some girls don’t want to study

I need some musical instrument

I want to watch some movie

I don’t have any plan. And you? Do you have any?

One of the tourists is ill

Some of these waitresses is Julia