qualche / alcuni / ogni

Indefinite Adjectives (Qualche, Alcuni, Ogni)

Level 2

Qualche and Ogni are always followed by a singular noun, even if the meaning is plural. Alcuni/Alcune are followed by plural nouns and must agree in gender.

How It Works

Indefinite adjectives describe an imprecise quantity. In Italian, the choice between them depends strictly on the grammatical number of the noun:

Qualche: Means 'some' or 'a few'. It is invariable (never changes form) and must be followed by a singular countable noun. Even though it refers to multiple things, the noun and the verb remain singular.
Example: qualche libro (some books).
Alcuni / Alcune: Also means 'some' or 'a few'. It is the plural equivalent of qualche. It must agree with the noun in gender (alcuni for masculine, alcune for feminine) and is always followed by a plural noun.
Example: alcuni libri (some books).
Ogni: Means 'every' or 'each'. It is invariable and is followed by a singular noun. It treats the group as a collection of individuals.
Example: ogni giorno (every day).

Note on Frequency: While ogni is usually singular, it can precede a number and a plural noun to show frequency: ogni due settimane (every two weeks).

Examples (5)

Ho comprato qualche mela al mercato.
I bought some apples at the market.
Word by Word: I have bought some apple at the market.
Notice that 'mela' is singular even though 'qualche' implies more than one.
Ci sono alcuni problemi da risolvere.
There are some problems to solve.
Word by Word: There are some problems to solve.
'Alcuni' is used here because 'problemi' is a masculine plural noun.
Ogni mattina bevo un caffè.
Every morning I drink a coffee.
Word by Word: Every morning I drink a coffee.
'Ogni' is followed by the singular noun 'mattina'.
Ho letto alcune pagine del libro.
I read some pages of the book.
Word by Word: I have read some pages of the book.
'Alcune' is the feminine plural form, agreeing with 'pagine'.
Vado in palestra ogni tre giorni.
I go to the gym every three days.
Word by Word: I go in gym every three days.
When expressing frequency with a number, 'ogni' can be followed by a plural noun.

Common Mistakes

Using a plural noun after 'qualche'.
Ho qualche libri.
Ho qualche libro.
Even though 'qualche' means 'some', it is a strict rule in Italian that it must be followed by a singular noun.
Using a plural verb with 'qualche' as the subject.
Qualche studente sono arrivati.
Qualche studente è arrivato.
Because the noun following 'qualche' is singular, the verb must also be conjugated in the singular form.
Using 'qualche' as a pronoun.
Ne ho comprati qualche.
Ne ho comprati alcuni.
'Qualche' is only an adjective and must be followed by a noun. To say 'some' as a pronoun, use 'alcuni' or 'qualcuno'.

How It Connects

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qualche / alcuni / ogniLevel 2Indefinite Adjectives (Qualche, Alcuni, Ogni)

Learn This First

To learn these indefinite adjectives, you must first understand how Italian nouns change from singular to plural. You also need to be familiar with basic adjective agreement rules, as 'alcuni' must match the gender of the noun it modifies, while 'qualche' and 'ogni' follow a specific rule where they always trigger a singular noun despite their plural or collective meanings.

Words in This Pattern

qualchealcuno

Sources

Practice qualche / alcuni / ogni in Bubblegum

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