Quantifiers (each, every, both, either, neither, all and none)

 

Quantifiers (each, every, both, either, neither, all and none)

By Sergio Viula

Have you ever gotten confused about when to use each, every, both, either, neither, or all?

Let’s clear it up in one drop!

• Each

Used for individual people or things (one by one)

Only with countable nouns

Takes a singular verb

Example: Each student has a notebook.

• Every

Used for groups as a whole, but still talking about individuals

Only with countable nouns

Takes a singular verb

Example: Every car stops at the red light.

• Both

Used for two people or things together

With countable nouns

Takes a plural verb

Example: Both friends are coming to the party.

• Either

Used when you have two options — one or the other

With countable nouns

Takes a singular verb

Example: You can take either bus. It arrives at 8.

• Neither

Means not one and not the other (zero of two)

With countable nouns

Takes a singular verb

Example: Neither answer is correct.

• All

Used for three or more things or people, or uncountable nouns

Takes a plural verb with countables

Takes a singular verb with uncountables

Examples:

→ All the students are ready.

→ All the water is cold.

• None

Means not any (zero of a group)

Can be used with countable or uncountable nouns

The verb can be singular or plural, depending on the meaning

Examples:

→ None of the students are here. (informal, focus on individuals)

→ None of the information is correct. (uncountable)

Remember:

• Each and Every → talk about people/things one by one
• Both → talk about two together
• Either / Neither → talk about two alternatives
• All → talk about everything or everyone in the group

Grammar Drops – making English easy, one drop at a time!