Affirmative and Negative Words
algún, alguno(s), alguna(s) = some, any algo = something, anything Affirmative Words algún, alguno(s), alguna(s) = some, any algo = something, anything alguien = someone, anyone también = also siempre = always
ningún, ninguno, ninguna = no, none, not any Negative Words ningún, ninguno, ninguna = no, none, not any nadie = no one, nobody tampoco = neither nunca = never nada = nothing
Yo tengo algunos libros. ¡Importante! Ex: I have some books. Yo tengo algunos libros. Alguno(s), alguna(s), ninguno, & ninguna need to match the number and gender of the noun to which they refer!
Ex: You have some folders. Tú tienes algunas carpetas.
In Spanish, you can have a “double negative.” ¡MUY IMPORTANTE! In Spanish, you can have a “double negative.” To make a sentence negative, put “no” in front of the verb.
Ex: I don’t have (not) any class. Yo no tengo ninguna clase.
Ex: We don’t need (not) any folders. No necesitamos ninguna carpeta.
Yes, the “double negative” is UGLY, but it is perfectly acceptable in Spanish.
You never talk to anybody / anyone. Never you talk with nobody. Let’s translate! Sounds nasty! Nunca hablas con nadie. You never talk to anybody / anyone. Sounds much better! Never you talk with nobody.
EX: I don’t have any books. One last thing…. EX: I don’t have any books. No tengo ningún libro. When “alguno” and “ninguno” come before a masculine singular noun, drop the “-o.”
You’ll notice: in English, “books” was plural, but in Spanish, it is singular. Why?
EX: I don’t have any books. plural No tengo ningún libro. singular
It is singular in Spanish, because when you don’t have a book, you don’t have ANY, NOT ONE book.
Quiz Write the correct affirmative or negative term to complete each sentence.
We don’t understand any of the words. No comprendemos _______ palabra. ninguna
He eats lunch with some friends. Él almuerza con _______ amigos. algunos
Do you want something? ¿Quieres _____? algo
Not one student did the homework. _______ estudiante hace la tarea. Ningún
They can never eat anything in class. Ellos _______ pueden comer ____ en clase. nunca nada