qualcuno / qualcosa / ognuno
Indefinite Pronouns (Qualcuno, Qualcosa, Ognuno)
Qualcuno (someone), qualcosa (something), and ognuno (each one) are pronouns used to talk about people or things without being specific. They are always singular.
How It Works
Indefinite pronouns are essential for fluid conversation. Here is how to use them correctly:
1. Qualcuno (Someone / Somebody / Some)
Refers to one or more unspecified people. It has a feminine form, qualcuna, but no plural form.
- Qualcuno ha bussato. (Someone knocked.)
- It can also mean 'some' when referring to a noun mentioned before: Hai dei libri? Sì, ne ho qualcuno. (Do you have books? Yes, I have some.)
2. Qualcosa (Something)
Refers to an unspecified thing. It is invariable (does not change) and is treated as masculine singular for adjective agreement.
- Qualcosa è successo. (Something happened.)
- Qualcosa + di + Adjective: Qualcosa di interessante. (Something interesting.)
- Qualcosa + da + Infinitive: Qualcosa da bere. (Something to drink.)
3. Ognuno (Each one / Everyone)
Refers to every single person in a group individually. It has a feminine form, ognuna, but no plural. It always takes a singular verb.
- Ognuno ha il suo stile. (Each one has their own style.)
4. Truncation and Elision
Before the word altro (other), qualcuno undergoes truncation to qualcun altro (no apostrophe). For the feminine, it undergoes elision to qualcun'altra (with an apostrophe).
Examples (5)
- C'è qualcuno alla porta.
There is someone at the door.
Word by Word: There is someone at the door.
'Qualcuno' is used here as an unspecified person.
- Ho comprato qualcosa di buono da mangiare.
I bought something good to eat.
Word by Word: I have bought something of good to eat.
Note the use of 'di' before the adjective 'buono' and 'da' before the verb 'mangiare'.
- Ognuno deve portare il proprio libro.
Each one must bring their own book.
Word by Word: Each one must bring the own book.
'Ognuno' emphasizes the individual responsibility of every person in the group.
- Qualcosa è andato storto durante la festa.
Something went wrong during the party.
Word by Word: Something is gone wrong during the party.
Even though 'cosa' is feminine, 'qualcosa' triggers masculine agreement ('andato').
- Qualcun altro vuole un caffè?
Does someone else want a coffee?
Word by Word: Someone other wants a coffee?
Notice 'qualcun' is truncated before 'altro' without an apostrophe.
Common Mistakes
Using a plural verb with 'ognuno'.
Ognuno sanno la verità.Ognuno sa la verità.Even though 'ognuno' refers to many people, it is grammatically singular and requires a singular verb.
Using feminine agreement with 'qualcosa'.
Qualcosa è stata mangiata.Qualcosa è stato mangiato.In modern Italian, 'qualcosa' is treated as masculine singular for agreement, despite being derived from the feminine 'cosa'.
Adding an apostrophe to 'qualcun altro'.
Qualcun'altro è arrivato.Qualcun altro è arrivato.Masculine truncation (qualcun) never takes an apostrophe. Only the feminine 'qualcun'altra' uses one.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand indefinite pronouns like 'qualcuno', 'qualcosa', and 'ognuno', learners should first understand how basic subject pronouns work. Additionally, knowing the adjective 'ogni' helps in understanding 'ognuno', and familiarity with negative indefinites like 'nessuno' provides a useful contrast for these positive indefinite forms.
- ogni + Singular Noun'Ogni' + Singular Noun
The pronoun 'ognuno' is functionally and etymologically related to the indefinite adjective 'ogni', which must be used with singular nouns.
Level 1 - niente / nessuno / maiNegative Words (Niente, Nessuno, Mai)
Familiarity with basic indefinite negatives like 'nessuno' provides the conceptual framework for positive indefinite pronouns like 'qualcuno'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- qualche / alcuni / ogniIndefinite Adjectives (Qualche, Alcuni, Ogni)
These are the adjective counterparts; for example, 'ogni' must be followed by a noun, while 'ognuno' stands alone.
Level 2 - Truncation
Explains why 'qualcuno' becomes 'qualcun' before 'altro' without an apostrophe.
Level 1 - Elision
Explains why the feminine 'qualcuna' becomes 'qualcun'altra' with an apostrophe.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Sources
Practice qualcuno / qualcosa / ognuno in Bubblegum
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