Indefinite French
I find that one of the hardest things to translate into another language is indefiniteness: anyone did something everywhere all the time. This index includes links to lessons on every kind of French indefiniteness, from indefinite adjectives to the indefinite subject pronoun.
Indefinite Adjectives (Autre, Certain, Chaque...)
Affirmative indefinite adjectives are used to modify nouns in a unspecific sense. Certain adjectives will help some people talk about several new things.
Affirmative indefinite adjectives are used to modify nouns in a unspecific sense. Certain adjectives will help some people talk about several new things.
Indefinite Adverbs (Ailleurs, Parfois, Peu...)
I've never seen this covered in French grammar books, but I think French indefinite adverbs, or at least the French equivalents for English indefinite adverbs, is an interesting grammatical category that should not be overlooked.
I've never seen this covered in French grammar books, but I think French indefinite adverbs, or at least the French equivalents for English indefinite adverbs, is an interesting grammatical category that should not be overlooked.
Indefinite Articles (Un, Une, Des)
French indefinite articles correspond to a, an, one, or some in English. The indefinite article usually refers to an unspecified person or thing.
French indefinite articles correspond to a, an, one, or some in English. The indefinite article usually refers to an unspecified person or thing.
Indefinite Negative Adjectives
French negative adjectives, sometimes called indefinite negative adjectives, are made up of two parts which surround the verb. Negative adjectives negate, refuse, or cast doubt on a quality of the noun they modify.
French negative adjectives, sometimes called indefinite negative adjectives, are made up of two parts which surround the verb. Negative adjectives negate, refuse, or cast doubt on a quality of the noun they modify.
Indefinite Negative Pronouns (Ne... Personne, Rien)
French negative pronouns, sometimes called indefinite negative pronouns, are used to negate, refuse, or cast doubt on the existence of the noun that they replace.
French negative pronouns, sometimes called indefinite negative pronouns, are used to negate, refuse, or cast doubt on the existence of the noun that they replace.
Indefinite Pronouns (Autre, Certain, Plusieurs...)
Indefinite pronouns are unspecific and are used in place of nouns. They can be the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or the object of a preposition.
Indefinite pronouns are unspecific and are used in place of nouns. They can be the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or the object of a preposition.
Indefinite Relative Pronouns (Ce qui, Ce que)
Indefinite relative pronouns link relative clauses to a main clause when there is no specific antecedent.
Indefinite relative pronouns link relative clauses to a main clause when there is no specific antecedent.
Passive Infinitive
Even though the French infinitive translates as "to + verb," the French sometimes needs to be preceded by a preposition. This is the case with the passive infinitive, which is commonly used with indefinite and negative words.
Even though the French infinitive translates as "to + verb," the French sometimes needs to be preceded by a preposition. This is the case with the passive infinitive, which is commonly used with indefinite and negative words.
Machin
Very common word: thingie, whatsit, contraption.
Very common word: thingie, whatsit, contraption.
N'importe... - Indefinite Expressions
The indefinite expression n'importe can be followed by an interrogative in order to designate an unspecified person, thing, or characteristic: n'importe qui, n'importe quel, n'importe où.... Learn these expressions and more with this lesson.
The indefinite expression n'importe can be followed by an interrogative in order to designate an unspecified person, thing, or characteristic: n'importe qui, n'importe quel, n'importe où.... Learn these expressions and more with this lesson.
On - Indefinite Subject Pronoun
On is the indefinite French subject pronoun, used mainly in colloquial French. Learn to use it here and discover the grammatical debate surrounding it.
On is the indefinite French subject pronoun, used mainly in colloquial French. Learn to use it here and discover the grammatical debate surrounding it.
Quelque
Quelque is an indefinite adjective and adverb that is found in numerous indefinite terms and expressions.
Quelque is an indefinite adjective and adverb that is found in numerous indefinite terms and expressions.
Quiconque
Quiconque is a formal French word, found mainly in formal registers such as law and other administrative jargons. It can be an indefinite relative pronoun or an indefinite pronoun.
Quiconque is a formal French word, found mainly in formal registers such as law and other administrative jargons. It can be an indefinite relative pronoun or an indefinite pronoun.
Soi - Indefinite Stressed Pronoun
Soi should be used only for unspecified persons. Need more info? See the lesson!
Soi should be used only for unspecified persons. Need more info? See the lesson!
Tartempion
Average Joe, a nobody
Average Joe, a nobody
Telautre
Some other guy
Some other guy
Tout
Learn all about the indefinite French adjective/adverb/pronoun tout.
Learn all about the indefinite French adjective/adverb/pronoun tout.
Truc
Donne-moi le truc, là.
Donne-moi le truc, là.
Trucmuche
Thingamajig, thingie, whatsit
Thingamajig, thingie, whatsit
Untel
John Doe, Mr. so-and-so
John Doe, Mr. so-and-so
Tests on French Indefinites
Test your knowledge.
Test your knowledge.