Indefinite and negative words in Spanish

Indefinite and negative words in Spanish

by Carlos Dávila

Multiple Choice

There are two ways to form negative sentences in Spanish. You can place the negative word before the verb, or you can place no before the verb and the negative word after the verb.

• verdad
• falso

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What are indefinite words?

Words such as someone or something that refer to people and things that are not specific

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What are negative words?

Words such as no one or nothing that deny the existence of people & things or contradict statements

Multiple Choice

¿Palabra indefinida?

• nada
• nunca
• siempre
• jamás

Multiple Choice

¿Palabra negativa?

• ni...ni
• o...o
• algo
• alguien

Multiple Choice

Algunos niños se ponen sus abrigos.
_________ niño se pone su abrigo.

• Tampoco
• Ningún
• Ningunos
• Nada

Multiple Choice

_______ se levanta temprano.

• Nadie
• Algo

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Remember!

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In Spanish, sentences frequently contain 2 or more negative words once a sentence is negative, all indefinite ideas must be expressed in the negative.

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Ejemplos:

Nunca le escribo a nadie I never write to anyone

No me preocupo por nada nunca I do not ever worry about anything

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As the preceding sentences show, once an English sentence contains one negative word (for example, not or never) no other negative word may be used. Instead, indefinite (or affirmative ) words are used. In Spanish, however, once a sentence is negative, no other affirmative (that is, indefinite) word may be used. Instead, all indefinite ideas must be expressed in the negative.

Multiple Choice

In Spanish, it is incorrect to use more than one negative in a sentence.

• Cierto
• Falso

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Using Infinitive Words

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Alguien and nadie are often used with the personal "a"

The personal "a" is also used before alguno/a, algunos/as & ninguno/a when these words are referring to people and are the direct object of a verb.

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Ejemplos:

Carlos ¿ves a alguien allí? No, no veo a nadie.

Carlos, do you see anyone there? No, I didn't see anyone

¿Oyes a alguno de los chicos? No, no oigo a ninguno.

Do you hear any of the guys? No, I don't hear anyone.

Multiple Choice

María no habla francés _____ español.

• sino
• pero

Multiple Choice

Indefinite words, such as someone or something, refer to people and things that are not specific. 

• verdad
• falso

Multiple Choice

Negative words, like no one or nothing, deny the existence of people and things or contradict statements.

• verdad
• falso