Algún to represent an indefinite quantity?

Question

I'm using the textbook Fuentes: Conversación y gramática, and in it it states:

"To talk about indefinite quantity in affirmitive sentences and questions, use the following adjectives and pronouns."

The book then goes on to list the following adjectives:

• Algún
• Alguna
• Algunos
• Algunas

If the word alguno can be pluralized, why -- or how -- would you use the word algún to represent an indefinite quantity of objects? It looks like a singular adjective to me. The book only gives examples of algunos and algunas.

Is it similar to the way that the words less and fewer are used in English?

Answer 1

Alguno/s and Alguna/s (which usually means "some") can be:

• an adjective. E.g. Fueron algunas personas a la fiesta.
• a pronoun. E.g. ¿Fueron tus amigos a la fiesta? No todos, solo algunos. ("algunos" replaces "algunos amigos")

But when they are used as an adjective sometimes you have to use the short form algún intead of alguno/alguna. These are the rules:

• when it is before a masculine name you have to use "algún". ("alguno" can't be used in this case)

E.g. Algún hombre

E.g. Alguno hombre* (incorrect)

E.g. Algún buen hombre

E.g. Alguno buen hombre* (incorrect)

• when preceding a femenine name which starts with a stressed "a" (starting with the sound "a", such as "agua", "águila" or "hacha"), "algún" is often used (though it's also valid using "alguna" in this case). But if there is another word between "algún/alguna" and the name, then you have to use "alguna"

E.g. Algún águila

E.g. Alguna águila

E.g. Alguna extraordinaria águila

E.g. Algún extraordinaria águila* (incorrect)

E.g. Algún águila extraordinaria

E.g. Alguna águila extraordinaria

• Algún and Alguna can also go after some names with a negative meaning (as if it were "any" in english)

E.g. No negociaremos de modo alguno (= No negociaremos de ningún modo)[we won't negotiate in any way]

While alguno/Alguna are used for singular names and algunos/algunas for plural names you can use "alguno/alguna" for plural if you use the preposition "de"

Alguno de mis amigos no fue a la fiesta.

Alguno amigos no fueron a la fiesta.

Here RAE explains all the possibilities.

Answer 2

Algun and Alguna refer to a singular but it implies it is one out of meany "Ay alguna canica quebrada en la bolasa?" "Is there a broken marble in the bag?." If you translate it this way you don know if there one or several in the bag. to be more exact it translates to "Is there a broken one in the bag of marbles?" The plural expresses several out of meany "Ay algunas canicas quebradas en la bolsa?" notice that the word broken/cracked pluralizes along whit algunos(as)