We use each, every, all, both, most, some, none in different sentence patterns.
1. each/every + singular noun + singular verb.
· We use each when we are thinking of each person/item individually. "Every" is used when referring to all the members of a group of three or more (it is more usual for a large number). We use "every" to generalize and it is always followed by a noun.
a. Give each child some chocolate cake.(= to each individual child)
b. You should make notes to help you remember each word separately. (= one by one)
c. I have been to every country in Europe.
d. Each employee was given a bonus. (= to each individual employee)
e. Last week it rained each day. (In this sentence we use "each" because the number of days in a week is limited.)
f. She has read every book in the library. ("Every" is used when the number is indefinite.)
g. Every girl in the class went to the party.
h. Every student deserves to receive the best education available in a safe and healthy environment.
Important:
· "Every" CANNOT be used for 2 things. For 2 things, "each" can be used:
· Remember that we DO NOT use a determiner with "every" and "each". ( The is not used)
· Sometimes we can use any of them; "each" or "every"
· We use "each of" before the object pronoun (you, them, etc.) or a noun with a determiner (the, this, my, your). The noun or pronoun is plural.
· "Every", but not "each", can be used with abstract nouns.
· If "each" and "every" come before the subject they take a singular verb.
a. Each student sits at a desk.
b. Every classroom has a desk in it.
c. Every house in the town is painted white.
d. Each test contains about 15 questions.
We use "every" to say how often something happens (every week, every month, every year, every day etc.
i. Every summer we have a holiday by the sea.
ii. Ravi watches TV for about 2 hours every evening.
iii. I go to gym every day.
2. Each of the/None of the/these/my etc. + plural noun + singular verb
Use singular verb after every.
a. Each of the classrooms has twenty desks in it.
b. Every house in the street is the same.
c. Every country has a national flag.
d. None of my friends eats non vegetarian food.'
e. None of the students has done the homework.
3. All/Most/Some/None of the/these/my etc. + plural noun + plural verb /+ uncountable noun + singular verb.
All of the students are coming to the disco. ( students countable noun)
All/Most/Some/None of the food is expensive. ( food uncountable noun)
Most of the schools in England are free. ( Schools countable)
None of the advice was useful. ( advice uncountable)
None of the students have done the homework. ( students countable noun)
Some of this information is wrong. (information un countable)
All/Most/Some exams are difficult.
Most coffee comes from South America.
All :
a. All fish live in water. (but All the fish in this lake are dead.)
b. All water contains oxygen. (but All the water in this lake is dirty.)
4. All the + plural noun + plural verb/+ uncountable noun + singular verb.
We use this pattern to make statements about particular people, things etc.
a. All the teachers are helpful. (e.g. the teachers in this particular school)
b. All the information is correct. (e.g. this particular information) Uncountable noun hence singular verb)
c. All the students in the class passed the exam.
5. Both
a. Both of the sisters are good swimmers, or Both sisters are good swimmers.
b. Both the sentences are correct.
c. Rama has two children. Both are married.
d. Both my sister are married.
e. Last year I went to Mumbai and Delhi. I like both the cities.
f. Both cars are fast.
g. Both films were good.
6. We use both, either, neither "to talk about two things/people/groups:
We use both with a plural noun and plural verb:
We use either and neither with a singular noun and singular verb because we are talking about one thing/one person/one group of two. We can use neither only with a positive verb.
a. I can use either hand to write. (my left hand or my right hand)
b. Either car is good for driving in the mountains. (= one car or the other car)
c. I want neither magazine.
7. We can use both, either, neither + of + the/these/those/my etc. with a plural noun. We often use both/either/neither + of + object pronoun [us/you/them etc.):
a. Both of my cars are expensive. ( Cars plural noun)
b. I can't buy either of the houses.
c. Neither of those radios is cheap.
d. Both of them are expensive.
e. Neither of us has enough money.
f.
8. We use: - both X and Y: Both Ravi and Ram are intelligent.
either X or Y: I don't play either football or cricket.
neither X nor Y: I play neither football nor cricket.
(We use a singular verb - we mean not one has and not the other one has)
Neither Holland nor Belgium has high mountains.
Neither teachers nor students want to work in the hot weather. (we use a plural verb because teachers and students are plural)
Neither of the twins has finished the work.
9. We can use both, either, neither without a noun when the meaning is clear.
Would you like tea or orange juice?
I'd like either, (tea or juice)
I'd like both, (tea and juice)
Neither, thank you. I'd prefer coffee.
The pairing neither/nor plays a negative role in the sentence. Be careful not to use a double negative.
· Arun did not find the key neither on nor under the mat. ( Incorrect)
(This is a double negative.)
· He did not mention neither the flooding nor the landslide. ( Incorrect)
(This is a double negative.)
· He mentioned neither the flooding nor the landslide. ( correct)
· He did not mention either the flooding or the landslide. (correct)
an>Examples :
Each/every time I see you, you look so energetic.
. Neither my mother nor my father went to Mumbai.
Each of the audio lessons comes with a full transcript.
Each of the following sentences may have an error.
Either the father or the mother has to attend the meeting. (father and mother are singular; so the verb has is singular too)
Neither Anu nor Meena is going to write the report. (Anu and Meena are singular; so the verb is is singular too)
She plays tennis every sunday. (correct)
She plays tennis each sunday. (incorrect!)
They go on vacation abroad every year. (correct)
They go on vacation abroad each year. (incorrect!)
Trains leave every 30 minutes. (correct)
Trains leave each 30 minutes. (incorrect!)
Neither of them is ready.
Every member of the club accepted the proposal.
My father goes to hospital almost every week.
I don’t speak French. Neither do I.
He isn’t ready to go. Neither are we.
I don’t like spinach. – Neither do I.
I don’t like mushrooms. – No, I don’t like them either.
