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Table of Contents
What are Distributive Pronouns?
Distributive pronouns are words used to refer to members of a group individually rather than collectively. Instead of looking at a group as a whole entity, these pronouns point to each person or thing within that group separately. Because they focus on individuals, they are almost always treated as singular in English grammar.
Common Distributive Pronouns
The most frequently used distributive pronouns in the English language include:
| Pronoun | Usage |
|---|---|
| Each | Refers to every individual member of a group of two or more. |
| Either | Refers to one or the other of two people or things. |
| Neither | Refers to not one and not the other of two people or things (the negative of either). |
| Any | Refers to one or more members of a group, often used in questions or negative statements. |
| None | Refers to not any member of a group (of three or more). |
Key Grammatical Rules
Correct: Each of the students has a laptop. (The subject is “Each”)
Incorrect: Each of the students have a laptop.
Detailed Usage: Each, Either, and Neither
1. Each
“Each” is used when we want to emphasize the individual components of a group. It can be used for groups of two or more.
- Each of the players received a medal.
- They have five cars, and each is a different color.
2. Either
“Either” implies a choice between two options. It means “one or the other.”
- Either of the two roads leads to the station.
- You can take either of these two seats.
3. Neither
“Neither” is the negative counterpart to “either.” It means “not the one and not the other.” It is specifically used for a choice between two items.
- Neither of the answers is correct.
- Neither of my parents could attend the ceremony.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many English learners (and even native speakers) struggle with subject-verb agreement when using distributive pronouns. Here are the most common pitfalls:
- Neither of the boys are coming.
Neither of the boys is coming. - Each of the apples were rotten.
Each of the apples was rotten.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct verb form:
- Each of the candidates _______ (has/have) ten minutes to speak.
- Either of the dates _______ (is/are) fine for the meeting.
- Neither of my sisters _______ (likes/like) spicy food.
- Each of the rooms _______ (was/were) painted a different color.
Answers:
1. has, 2. is, 3. likes, 4. was
Frequently Asked Questions
Can “Each” be used for only two things?
Yes, “each” can be used for two or more. For example: “He had a ring on each hand.”
What is the difference between “Neither” and “None”?
“Neither” is strictly used for two people or things. “None” is used when referring to a group of three or more.
