A2 Spanish grammar

Algo, Nada, Alguien, and Nadie in Spanish

Algo and nada refer to things; alguien and nadie refer to people. Spanish negative words follow consistent placement rules that may differ from English.

algo nada alguien nadie: Use algo and nada for things

Algo means something or anything in affirmative questions; nada means nothing or anything in a negative clause.

¿Quieres algo? No, no quiero nada.
Do you want something? No, I don't want anything.Algo appears in the question and nada in the negative answer.

Quick check

I need something.

Use alguien and nadie for people

Alguien means someone or anyone; nadie means nobody or anybody in a negative clause.

Hay alguien fuera, pero no veo a nadie.
There is someone outside, but I don't see anyone.People used as direct objects take personal a.

Place negative words correctly

Use no before the verb when nada or nadie follows it; omit no when the negative word itself stands before the verb.

No vino nadie. / Nadie vino.
Nobody came.Both orders are grammatical, but only the postverbal order uses no.

Common mistakes

No quiero algo.

No quiero nada.

Use nada for anything in this negative sentence.

No conozco alguien aquí.

No conozco a nadie aquí.

Use nadie in the negative and personal a for a person.

Nadie no vino.

Nadie vino.

A preverbal negative word does not take another no.

Ready to practise algo nada alguien nadie?

Complete an eight-question round and save skill-level progress for future review.

Practice algo nada alguien nadie

Algo, nada, alguien, and nadie FAQ

What does algo, nada, alguien, and nadie cover?

Algo and nada refer to things; alguien and nadie refer to people. Spanish negative words follow consistent placement rules that may differ from English.

What is the first rule to remember?

Algo means something or anything in affirmative questions; nada means nothing or anything in a negative clause.

What is another important A2 pattern?

Alguien means someone or anyone; nadie means nobody or anybody in a negative clause.

How can I practise algo nada alguien nadie?

Complete the focused round, review each correction, and repeat the lesson when its skills become due again.

Continue learning

Alguno and ningunoUse algún, alguno, alguna, ningún, ninguno, and ninguna with the correct noun and sentence pattern.Spanish quantifiersExpress different amounts with common quantifiers and make adjective-like forms agree with nouns.Quantity comparisonsCompare quantities and actions using tanto como, más que, and menos que.Complete A2 Spanish grammar courseSee every A2 unit and continue through the course in order.Spanish tense guidesCompare the major tense systems used throughout this course.