Alguna, Alguno, Algunas, Algunos

Question

The notebook information appears to be very poorly delineated on this subject. The answers in the micro-quiz seem to fly directly in the face of the BUT BE CAREFUL information given! If the person is selecting SOME of the ORANGES, according to the text the "some" should be alguna since "even if it refers to a plural noun, the pronoun is in the singular form." The lesson dictates appears to need a lot of work.

Answer

Hi Diane,Alguno/a stays in the singular when you are trying to convey the sense of random, non specific quantities like "one or two." This is a subtle usage and hard to nail down, but because it is tricky, when the teachers pose the question in the micro quiz, they specify in the hints under the question something like "use the plural form" or "use the meaning that conveys a non specific number."This happens throughout the course and it keeps us on our toes, because you might instinctively choose one answer but in fact the other answer is required. It would be worth checking back on the question and seeing if they gave you a hint.Saludos. John

Answer

Hola ErikaNo, your answer would have been correct using "algunas". It's only because we have the hint saying "Choose the singular form" that was marked incorrect. If you read the thread, you will see that some other students have asked the same. We have a not inside the lesson explaining this "odd" use of alguno/alguna in singular when we expect a plural form. The note starts by saying BUT BE CAREFUL...SaludosInma