Do you know what indefinite adjectives are? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on indefinite adjectives, including the definition, usage, example sentences, and more!
Your writing, at its best
Compose bold, clear, mistake-free, writing with Grammarly's AI-powered writing assistant
According to Grammar Monster, indefinite adjectives are used to describe a noun in a non-specific way and take the place of an article in front of a noun. Sometimes it is useful to refer to a noun in a non-specific sense or non-specific manner if you have nonspecific information about it. For example, if you see a specific cat run across your lawn, you might say, “My neighbor’s cat just ran across my lawn!” However, if you say a cat you did not know run across your lawn, you might say, “Some cat just ran across my lawn!” The common indefinite adjectives are any, each, few, many, much, most, several, and some.
These are not to be confused with indefinite pronouns, which do not modify nouns and pronouns and stand alone, taking the place of a noun. Like other types of adjective such as a possessive adjective, descriptive adjectives, demonstratives and more, the characteristics of indefinite adjectives are specific.
Indefinite articles also exist in French and Spanish, such as todo and otro. These include the below French indefinite adjectives from BBC:
tous
telle
quelques
mainte
autres
quelquefois
quelque
certain
divers
tels
quelqu’un
plusieurs
maintes
maints
quelque part
quelque chose
autre
même
diverses
chaque
telles
certaine
certains
toutes
certaines
tout
maint
toute
tel
Many different languages also use different words that mean adjective. You may notice that some of these translations of adjective look similar to the word adjective. These are called cognates, which are often formed when two words have the same root or language of origin.This list of translations of adjective comes via Word Sense, but you can also find translations via other online dictionaries.
Khmer: គុណនាម (kunnaneam)
Interlingua: adjectivo
Afrikaans: byvoeglike naamwoord
Polish: przymiotnik (m-in)
Swedish: adjektiv (neut.)
Romansch: adjectiv
Hindi: बिशेषण (masc.), विशेषण (masc.)
Sanskrit: विशेषण (masc.)
Mongolian: тэмдэг нэр
Tajik: сифат
Friulian: agetîv
Lao: ຄຳຄຸນນາມ
Italian: aggettivo (masc.)
Ukrainian: прикметник (masc.)
Belarusian: прыметнік (masc.)
Lithuanian: būdvardis
West Frisian: eigenskipswurd (neut.)
Georgian: ზედსართავი სახელი
Hungarian: melléknév
Catalan: adjectiu (masc.)
Japanese: 形容詞 (けいようし, keiyōshi) (for “い” ending in Japanese, and translation for “adjective” in other languages), 形容動詞 (けいようどうし, keiyō-dōshi) (for “だ/な” ending)
An indefinite adjective can be used in many different contexts in the English language. Trying to use a word or literary technique in a sentence is one of the best ways to memorize what it is, but you can also try making flashcards or quizzes that test your knowledge. Try using this term of the day in a sentence today! The following sentences are examples of indefinite adjectives from Grammar Monster that can help get you started incorporating this tool into your everyday use. Try to use the term indefinite adjectives today or notice when someone else is using an indefinite adjective.
I prefer drawing to talking. Drawing is faster, and leaves less room for lies. (Swiss architect Le Corbusier)
Some mice have chewed the cables.
Each student is responsible for their visitors.
There are several reasons for my resignation.
A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls. (Politician Dan Quayle)
Each team will receive a 2-minute warning before the start.
There are several people in the safe room.
If you spill less cheese, you’ll attract fewer mice.
However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them? (Buddha)
You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. (US President Abraham Lincoln)
Everyone is born with genius, but most people only keep it a few minutes (Edgard Varese, 1883-1965)
All of my songs are autobiographical. (Taylor Swift)
I bought some batteries, but they weren’t included. (Steven Wright)
There are only a few deer left
I liked most people at the party.
Many people would sooner die than think; In fact, they do so. (Bertrand Russell, 1872-1970)
All my friends left me when I was 12. (Singer Taylor Swift)
I have seen some cartridges in the cupboard.
I have some cookies in my lunch today.
Elle has aced most of her exams.
I’m over your carelessness; most of the time, all you do is make excuses.
Overall, the term indefinite adjectives refer to the words any, each, few, many, much, most, several, and some.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.
Kevin
December 2, 2021
Common Questions
