English — Distributives: Each, Every, Either, Neither — 2nd Year Middle School — Algerian Curriculum

Distributives: Each, Every, Either, Neither — 2nd Year Middle School

Distributives are words used to refer to members of a group individually or in pairs. The most common distributives in English are each, every, either, and neither. Understanding how to use them correctly will help you speak and write more accurately.

1. Each vs Every

Each

Each is used when we think of members of a group as individuals, one at a time. It emphasizes the individual members.

• Each student must bring his own book. (focus on individual students)
• Each of the girls has a different dress. (each one separately)
• I gave each child a piece of cake.
• Each team member has a specific role.

Every

Every is used when we think of members of a group as a whole, as a group. It emphasizes the group.

• Every student must follow the school rules. (all students together)
• I go to school every day. (all days)
• Every house in the street has a garden.
• Every child likes to play.

Key Differences

Each	Every
Used for two or more things	Used for three or more things
Emphasizes individuals separately	Emphasizes the whole group
Can be used with ‘of’ (each of them)	Cannot be used directly with ‘of’ (not: every of them; say: every one of them)
Can be used alone: “Each has a book.”	Cannot be used alone: “Every has a book” ✗

Examples showing the difference:

• Each flower has a different colour. (looking at flowers individually)
• Every flower in the garden is beautiful. (looking at all flowers together)
• The teacher spoke to each student. (one by one)
• Every student passed the exam. (all of them)

2. Either and Neither

Either

Either means “one or the other” (one of two). It is used with singular nouns and is followed by a singular verb.

• You can choose either book. (one of the two books)
• Either answer is correct. (one of the two answers)
• I can meet you on either Monday or Tuesday.
• Either of the two dresses is nice.

Either…or: used to present two possibilities.

• You can have either tea or coffee.
• He is either in the classroom or in the library.
• We can either go to the cinema or stay home.

Neither

Neither means “not one and not the other” (none of two). It is the negative form of either. It is used with singular nouns and singular verbs.

• Neither answer is correct. (both answers are wrong)
• Neither of the two books is interesting.
• Neither student finished the homework.
• She likes neither of the two colours.

Neither…nor: used to negate two things together.

• He neither called nor sent a message.
• I like neither coffee nor tea.
• She speaks neither English nor French.

Comparison Table

Distributive	Meaning	Example
Each	Every single one (individually)	Each child received a gift.
Every	All (as a group)	Every child likes ice cream.
Either	One or the other (positive)	Either answer is fine.
Neither	Not one nor the other (negative)	Neither answer is correct.

Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with each, every, either, or neither:

1. ______ student in the class must do the homework. (all together)
2. ______ of the two dresses fits me well.
3. You can take ______ road; they both lead to the station.
4. ______ of my parents gave me a present. (individually)
5. ______ of the answers is wrong. (both)
6. I brush my teeth ______ morning.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct word:

1. (Each / Every) of the students has a different opinion.
2. I read (each / every) book in the series. (emphasizing individually)
3. (Either / Neither) my brother nor my sister likes spinach.
4. (Either / Neither) you leave now or you miss the bus.
5. She enjoyed (each / every) moment of the trip.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the following sentences using neither…nor:

1. Ahmed doesn’t like football. Karim doesn’t like football either. → ________________
2. The book is not interesting. The film is not interesting either. → ________________
3. She doesn’t speak English. She doesn’t speak Arabic either. → ________________

Conclusion

Distributives (each, every, either, neither) are important words that help us talk about members of a group. Remember: each focuses on individuals, every focuses on the whole group, either gives a choice between two, and neither means none of the two. Practice using them in your daily conversations!

Check our lesson on Both, Either, Neither – Learn about Quantifiers: Some, Any, Much, Many

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