Distributives
Learn how each, every, either, neither and both come before a noun to refer to members of a group individually, or to describe a relationship between two things.
Each, every, either, neither, both
A distributive looks at members of a group one at a time, or in pairs.
A distributive is a determiner that refers to the members of a group individually, rather than as a single unit, or that describes a relationship between exactly two things.
In the sentence Each student received a certificate., the word each is a distributive. It considers the students one at a time, rather than as one combined group.
English has five common distributives: each, every, either, neither and both.
Before you begin
Distributives are one category of determiner.
This lesson focuses on distributives specifically. If you would like an overview of how determiners work as a whole topic, begin with the Determiners page.
The central idea
A distributive treats members of a group separately.
Compare a group described as one unit with the same group described member by member.
01
As One Unit
The group is described together, all at once.
All the students received a certificate.
02
Member by Member
Each member of the group is considered individually.
Each student received a certificate.
The useful question is: Is this about the whole group, or about each member on its own?
each student → individually, one by one
both students → exactly two, considered together
neither student → not one of exactly two
Distributives shift attention from the group as a whole toward the individual members, or toward a relationship between exactly two of them.
Each and every
Both words focus on individual members, with a slightly different emphasis.
01
Each
Highlights individual members, one at a time, and can be used for two or more.
Each guest signed the book.
02
Every
Refers to all the members of a larger group, with no exceptions.
Every guest signed the book.
Only each works with exactly two
Each of the two brothers has a different job.
Every is not generally used with a group of exactly two; each is used instead.
Either and neither
These distributives refer to one, or neither, of exactly two things.
01
Either
Refers to one or the other of two options.
You can park on either side of the street.
02
Neither
Refers to not one and not the other of two options.
Neither answer was correct.
Both words are limited to exactly two
Either and neither are used when exactly two options or people are involved. For three or more, other words such as any or none are used instead.
Both
Both brings exactly two things together as a pair.
Referring to two things together
Both restaurants serve excellent pasta.
Unlike each, which highlights members individually, both presents the two members together as a pair.
Noun and verb agreement
Each distributive has its own pattern for the noun and verb that follow it.
Each, every, either and neither: singular noun and verb
Each student has a locker.
Every window was closed.
Either option works for me.
Neither plan is perfect.
Even though these words often relate to more than one person or thing overall, they are followed by a singular noun and a singular verb, since each member is considered one at a time.
Both: plural noun and verb
Both options work for me.
Since both presents the two members together, it takes a plural noun and a plural verb.
Distributives with “of” phrases
Distributives can also come before “of” and a specific group.
Distributive + of + the/possessive + noun
each of the students
every one of the windows
either of the options
neither of the answers
both of the restaurants
Each of the students received a certificate.
When a distributive is followed by of, the specific group being referred to is named directly, usually with the or a possessive before it.
Every needs “one of,” not “every of”
Not: every of the windows
Correct: every one of the windows
Every is not directly followed by of; one is added first.
A useful decision guide
Ask how many things are involved, and how they should be viewed.
01
Are exactly two things involved?
Consider either, neither or both.
02
Do you want to highlight individuals, or the whole group?
Use each for individuals; every for the group as a whole, with no exceptions.
03
Should the two things be treated together, or separately?
Use both to bring them together; either or neither to treat them separately.
04
Does the sentence need a singular or plural verb?
Each, every, either and neither take a singular verb; both takes a plural verb.
Common mistakes
Do not treat every distributive as taking a plural verb.
Using a plural verb with each or every.
Not: Each student have a locker.
Correct: Each student has a locker.
Each and every take a singular verb, even though they relate to more than one person overall.
Using every with exactly two.
Not: Every one of the two brothers has a different job.
Correct: Each of the two brothers has a different job.
Each, not every, is used for a group of exactly two.
Using either or neither with more than two.
Not: Neither of the three plans worked.
Correct: None of the three plans worked.
Either and neither only apply to exactly two options.
Check your understanding
Which distributive fits?
Choose the correct answer for each sentence.
__________ seat in the theatre was full last night.
✅ Exactly! This sentence emphasises the whole theatre, with no exceptions.
❎ Not quite. Both words could fit grammatically, but think about whether the focus is on individual seats or the whole theatre.
Think about the overall size of the crowd, not one seat at a time.
You can sit on __________ side of the table; it doesn’t matter which.
✅ Exactly! Both sides are acceptable options here.
❎ Not quite. The sentence allows one option or the other, not neither.
__________ of the two hotels have a swimming pool.
✅ Exactly! The plural verb have matches both.
❎ Not quite. Look closely at whether the verb is singular or plural.
__________ of the two answers was correct.
✅ Exactly! With exactly two answers, neither is the correct word.
❎ Not quite. Count exactly how many answers are being discussed.
Choose the best explanation
Select the sentence that explains the distributive correctly.
Why does “Each student has a locker” use a singular verb?
✅ Exactly! Each treats every member of the group individually, so the verb stays singular.
❎ Not quite. Think about how each views the group of students.
Why is “both restaurants serve” correct rather than “both restaurants serves”?
✅ Exactly! Both is the one distributive on this page that takes a plural verb.
❎ Not quite. Think about how both is different from each, every, either and neither.
Which sentence correctly uses either or neither?
✅ Exactly! Neither correctly refers to exactly two plans.
❎ Not quite. Check how many items each sentence is actually describing.
Try it another way
Complete the sentence with the correct distributive.
Type the word that fits each sentence.
✅ Exactly! This sentence describes the group as a whole, with no exceptions.
❎ Not quite. Think about whether the focus is on the group as a whole, or on individuals.
✅ Exactly! Were is plural, matching both.
❎ Not quite. Look at whether the verb were is singular or plural.
✅ Exactly! Both routes are acceptable, so either is correct.
❎ Not quite. Both routes lead to the station, so neither is being ruled out.
Edit the sentence
Rewrite each sentence with the correct distributive or verb form.
Use the note in brackets to decide what needs to change.
Each student have a locker. (correct the verb)
✅ Exactly! Each takes a singular verb.
❎ Not quite. Change the verb to its singular form.
Every one of the two brothers has a different job. (correct the distributive)
✅ Exactly! Each, not every, is used for a group of exactly two.
❎ Not quite. Replace every one of with the distributive used for exactly two.
Neither of the three plans worked. (correct the distributive)
✅ Exactly! Neither only applies to exactly two, so none is needed for three plans.
❎ Not quite. Neither cannot be used with three items.
Quick review
Individual members, or a pair, decide the correct distributive.
Distributives — each, every, either, neither, both — refer to members of a group individually, or describe a relationship between exactly two things.
Each highlights individuals and can be used for two or more; every refers to the whole group, with no exceptions, and is not usually used for exactly two.
Either and neither apply only to exactly two options; for three or more, any or none are used instead.
Both presents exactly two things together as a pair.
Each, every, either and neither take a singular noun and verb; both takes a plural noun and verb.
Distributives can be followed by of and a specific group, as in each of the students.
Remember
Ask how many things are involved, and whether they stand together or apart.
Exactly two things point toward either, neither or both. A larger group points toward each or every, depending on whether you want to highlight individuals or the group as a whole.