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Grammar Lesson 78:

The indefinite adjective and pronoun

The indefinite adjective and pronoun alcuno is used to indicate a non-specific - though limited -quantity.

MASC. SING.

FEM. SING.

MASC. PLUR.

FEM. PLUR.

MEANING

alcuno

alcuna

alcuni

alcune

any, some;

some, a few

Examples:

- Non vedo alcun motivo per non sposarti. (I don't see any reason why I shouldn't marry you) —> adj.

- Alcuni professori non hanno capito l'ironia. (Some professors didn't catch the irony) —> adj.

- Senza che alcuno di voi me lo dicesse. (Without any of you telling me) —> pron.

- Alcuni di voi non mi conoscono. (Some of you don't know me) —> pron.

Note that you can elide alcuno (masc. sing.) in alcun but NEVER when it precedes a noun that begins with z, impure s (s+consonant), x.

Examples:

- Non ho alcun problema a dirti di no. (I have no problem in saying no to you.)

- Non c'era alcuno straccio di prova. (There wasn't a scrap of evidence.)

Note that The plural forms of the pronoun alcuni / alcune are often used in conjunction with altri, altre

Example:

- Alcuni ridevano, altri mangiavano. (Some were laughing, others were eating.)

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