Indefinite pronoun
In the grammar indefinite pronouns form a subgroup of the pronouns. They can be used to refer to individuals whose identity is not determined in detail (yet ) (eg, one, someone, then they are most analogous to the function of the indefinite ( indefinite ) article for nouns ), or to indicate an indefinite number of individuals or to an existence statement about individuals ( quantification ) ( this also applies to the form of someone further: no one, some, any, etc.). Grammatically indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural, often regardless of the actual number of intentioned individuals (eg " none " in the singular and " no " in the plural both denote the number zero, see also each ( Sg ) and all ( Pl ) ). Some indefinite pronouns are inflected for gender itself; even where this is not the case, Indefinitpronomina are often associated with the masculine (eg, " someone who writes something like that " ) without this must match the natural gender of eligible individuals.
Indefinite pronouns in English
Indefinite pronouns ( indefinite pronoun ) can be used as adjectives, in which reference word is then often ascribe great. Adjectives and verbs are in this case, a substantive, eg something big, a lot of new, little intoxicating, etc. But this is true only if these also represent the reference word, otherwise they act as additional attributes:
- There were many new things to marvel at.
- There were many new things to marvel at.
In addition, indefinite pronouns can be used as a noun, and they are also usually written in lower case:
- I did not like any. ( substantival use).
- This is something else.
Some pronouns can " any " be reinforced with, including, but not "on" and "something". Some words can belong to other word types, in which case the context is crucial. That is, for example, in " a " of the case:
- One of the cars parked incorrectly. ( Indefinite pronoun )
- A car is parked incorrectly. ( Numeral )
- He has seen driving away in a car. ( indefinite article )
Also some solid compounds are indefinite pronouns, eg
- A little
- A little
- A few
The phrases " a little " and " a few" have thereby changing their meaning:
- She had a pair of shoes. ( two complementary shoes)
- She had a pair of shoes. ( some shoes )
In contrast to the indefinite pronoun marks the noun " pair " a certain quantity: one pair, two pair, etc.
Indefinite pronouns in other languages
In Latin, the main indefinite pronouns:
- Quisquam, quicquam
- Ullus, -A, - to
- Aliqui, qua, quod
- Aliquis, aliquid
- Quidam, quaedam, quoddam
- Quivis, quaevis, quivis
- Quisque
Some of these are divided into the substantive and adjectival use.