If the adjective specifies neither a property for an object, nor a countable or precisely measurable quantity, it may have the type value indefinite. This criterion is neither sufficient nor necessary. Indeed, we do not consider an adjective such as `nombreux' to be an indefinite adjective.
Test:
Given N a noun, X an adjective: If X + N or N + X in a non-specified context raises questions such as `lequel?', `lesquels?', etc., `combien?', ``quoi comme...?'', then X may be an indefinite adjective.
Examples:
Morphosyntactic restrictions apply to indefinite adjectives: some do not realise the singular and plural forms, and/or there are restrictions concerning the compatibility with determiner in a noun phrase.
Test:
Given X an adjective, Det a determiner, N a noun and NP a noun phrase; If, for NP (Det + X + N) there are restrictions concerning the number value of X and/or the selection of Det, then X may be an indefinite adjective.
Examples:
Certain indefinite adjectives are in complementary distribution or in relationship with indefinite determiners. This criterion is sufficient but not necessary.
Test:
Given Det a determiner, Adj an adjective, N a noun and NP a noun phrase: If it is possible to transform NP (Det + X/ Adj + N) into NP (X/Det + N), then X has the type value indefinite.
Examples:
Indefinite adjectives occupy the position before the noun (anteposition). Some adjectives can also occupy the position after the noun (les diverses personnes vs. les personnes diverses). If this is the case, the meaning of the adjective changes. We consider that the adjective which occupies the position before the noun has the type value indefinite and the adjective which occupies the position after the noun has the type value qualitative.
Test:
Given Det a determiner, Adj an adjective, N a noun and NP a noun phrase: If only NP (Det + Adj + N) (and NP (Det + N +Adj) with another meaning), then X has the type value indefinite.
Examples: