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Distributive Pronouns

Distributive pronouns such as each, either, and neither refer to people or things individually rather than as a group. They are always singular because they distribute a quality or action to one person or thing at a time. Each refers to every single member of a group, either means one or the other of two options, and neither means not one or the other of two options.

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1K views

Distributive Pronouns

Distributive pronouns such as each, either, and neither refer to people or things individually rather than as a group. They are always singular because they distribute a quality or action to one person or thing at a time. Each refers to every single member of a group, either means one or the other of two options, and neither means not one or the other of two options.

Uploaded by

Srinivas Minalapuram
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Distributive pronouns

Read the following sentences.

Each of the boys got a prize.


Each of these answers is correct.
Each of these roads leads to the airport.
Each individual is different.
Neither of the keys opens the door.
Either answer is correct.

The words each, either and neither are called distributive pronouns because they refer to people or things one at
a time. Because of this reason, distributive pronouns are always singular.

Notes

Each is used to refer to every one of a number of people or things taken singly. Either means one or the other of
two. Neither is the opposite of either. It means ‘not the one nor the other’ of two.

Either and neither are only used to speak of two individuals or things.

Neither method is right.

When more than two people or things are spoken of, we use other expressions like any, none or no one.

The word each can go in different positions in a sentence.

She kissed them each on the forehead.


She kissed each of them on the forehead.
The boys were each given a present.
Each of the boys was given a present.
These pens cost 70 cents each.
Each of these pens costs 70 cents.

The words each, either and neither can also be used as adjectives. In this case, they are followed by a singular
noun.

Each girl took her turn.


Neither accusation is true.
There were roses on either side.

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