Alcune

Alcune is an Italian indefinite determiner and pronoun meaning some or a number of, used to refer to an unspecified subset of a larger group. It agrees in gender and number with the noun it accompanies; in the feminine plural form it appears as alcune, while the masculine plural is agli? No, correct form: alcuni for masculine plural, alcune for feminine plural. The feminine singular form is alcuna, and the masculine singular form is alcuno. Alcune therefore contracts with feminine plural nouns such as persone, idee, cose.

Usage

Alcune is used before a noun to indicate an indefinite quantity: alcune persone, alcune idee, alcune questioni. It can also function as a pronoun, meaning “some of them” or “some,” as in Alcune hanno partecipato. In phrases like Alcune di loro, the expression specifies a subset of a known group. In negative contexts, the related forms alcuna (feminine singular) or alcuno (masculine singular) appear: Non ho alcuna idea. Qualche is a related word used with singular nouns to mean “some,” with a slightly different nuance.

Etymology

Alcune derives from the Latin aliquantus or aliqui, forms meaning “some” or “a certain,” mediated into Italian through the development of indefinite adjectives and pronouns. The feminine plural form alcune reflects regular Italian agreement with feminine plural nouns.

Notes

Alcune is common in both speech and writing, particularly when the speaker wants to avoid specifying exact numbers. It contrasts with qualche (used with singular nouns) and with nessuno or alcuno in negative or emphatic contexts. See also alcuno, alcuni, qualche for related forms and usage.