Distributive Adjectives

Each, every, either and neither are determiners. They are also called distributive adjectives. They are followed by singular nouns and singular verbs.

• Every guest has arrived. (NOT Every guests have arrived.)
• The hostess received each guest with pleasure.
• Each question carries one mark. (NOT Each questions carry one mark.)
• Either option suits me fine.
• Neither plan worked.
• There are trees on either side of the road.
• Each student was asked the same question.

Before a pronoun or a noun with a determiner, we use each of, either of or neither of. Note that we cannot put of after every. Instead, we write everyone of. Use a plural noun/pronoun and a singular verb after each of, either of etc..

• Either of us has to go.
• Neither of them was capable of solving the problem. (NOT Neither of them were…)
• Each of the students has submitted their work.
• Everyone of us has some rights and responsibilities.

Worksheet

Fill in the blanks with each, every, either or neither.

1. ‘Would you like tea or coffee?’ ‘…………………….’
2. …………………… key opened the door so we could not get in.
3. ………………… of us has our own problems.
4. ‘Do you want blue or green?’ ‘…………………. will do.’
5. I don’t like …………………… of my physics teachers.
6. ‘I won’t go.’ ‘…………………. will I.’
7. She hugged them ……………………..
8. I have written to …………………. of my friends.
9. I have invited ……………………. friend I have.
10. I invited them both but …………………… came.

Answers

1. either, 2. neither, 3. each, 4. either, 5. either, 6. neither, 7. each, 8. each, 9. every, 10. neither