All, Every, Each, Both, Neither, Either

Noun

Plural

Uncountable

Singular

Every when we are thinking about the whole number in a group

Each when we are thinking about the members of the group as individuals

For emphasising every single one, we must use every

For only two things, we can use each but not every

Each of with a plural noun or pronoun is followed by a singular verb

Each of them has their own room

All of the students have their own rooms

! We don’t use an article (the, a/an) before every or each

! We don’t use every before possessive adjectives (his, her, etc) or demonstrative adjectives (these, those).

Tarantino’s a brilliant director. I’ve seen all his films.

All

All the

All (the) information

All

All of the

Each of

Every

Each

You’ve eaten every chocolate in the box!

I love every painting by that artist.

Each painting is unique.

In baseball, how many players are there in each team?

Both (of)

Either (of)

Neither (of)

this one AND the other

NOT this one AND NOT the other

this one OR the other

Either is used mainly in questions and negative sentences.

I like both pictures. / I like both of the pictures.

Neither picture is right for the room. / Neither of the pictures is right for the room.

She didn’t buy either picture in the end. / She didn’t buy either of the pictures in the end.

She plays both the violin and the guitar.

Neither me nor my brother are married.

Should I wear either this shirt or that one?

! After neither (of) the verb is always positive. It can be singular or plural after neither of.

Neither of these answers is/are correct.

But after neither + noun the verb is always singular.

Neither answer is correct.

! After both (of) the verb is always positive and plural. We don’t use both in negative structures.

Both of these answers are wrong.

NOT: Both of these answers are not correct.

Negative agreement:

1. Me neither (informal)

2. I don`t either

3. Neither do I

! Either is followed by a singular countable noun

! Either of + plural noun phrase can be followed by either a singular or plural verb

Either of these two dresses suits/suit you

Either colour is fine with me

Both (of)

Neither

Either

Positive statment

Positive statment

Negative statment

followed by positive and plural verb

followed by positive and singular verb

Neither of

followed by positive and singular/plural verb

followed by singular countable noun -> singular verb

Questions

Either of

followed by positive and singular/plural verb