Distributives Determiners – English Grammar

Introduction to Distributives: Distributives are a category of determiners used in English grammar to indicate how something is distributed or divided among a group of people or things. They help specify whether something is referring to individual members of a group or the group as a whole.

Types of Distributives:

  1. Each: “Each” is used when referring to every individual member of a group separately.
    • Example:
      • Each student must submit their homework by Friday.
      • Each flower in the garden was carefully tended to.
      • Each member of the team received a participation certificate.
      • Each contestant will be judged on their performance.
      • Each employee is responsible for their own workspace.
      • Each page of the book contained valuable information.
      • Each guest was given a party favor before leaving.
      • Each piece of the puzzle fits together perfectly.
      • Each dish on the menu is prepared with fresh ingredients.
      • Each question in the quiz requires careful consideration.
  2. Every: Similar to “each,” “every” is used to refer to all the members of a group individually.
    • Example:
      • Every child deserves access to quality education.
      • Every morning, he goes for a jog in the park.
      • Every house on the block was adorned with Christmas lights.
      • Every member of the club contributes to its success.
      • Every cloud has a silver lining.
      • Every dog loves a good belly rub.
      • Every decision has consequences.
      • Every star in the sky seemed to twinkle that night.
      • Every piece of advice she gave was valuable.
      • Every project requires careful planning and execution.
  3. Either: “Either” is used to refer to one of two options.
    • Example:
      • You can choose either the chocolate cake or the cheesecake for dessert.
      • Either candidate would make a suitable president.
      • You can take either the bus or the train to get there.
      • Either option leads to the same outcome.
      • You can have either tea or coffee with your breakfast.
      • I’ll meet you at either the restaurant or the cafรฉ.
      • You can use either your phone or your laptop to access the internet.
      • Either solution requires careful consideration.
      • You can pick either the red dress or the blue one for the party.
      • Either day works for me to schedule the meeting.
  4. Neither: This is the negative form of “either” and refers to none out of two options.
    • Example:
      • Neither option seems appealing to me.
      • Neither candidate impressed the voters with their speeches.
      • Neither book in the series lived up to my expectations.
      • Neither route is faster than the other.
      • Neither answer seems correct to me.
      • Neither of the options seems viable for our situation.
      • Neither solution solves the problem effectively.
      • Neither of them remembered where they parked the car.
      • Neither of the shirts fit me properly.
      • Neither of the movies playing tonight interests me.

Usage and Placement: Distributives typically precede the noun they modify.

  • Example: “Each student…”

They can also be used with adjectives to further describe the noun.

  • Example: “Every tall building…”

Special Considerations:

  1. Subject-Verb Agreement: When a distributive determiner is used, the verb that follows should agree with the singular noun it refers to.
    • Example: “Each of the boys is responsible for their actions.”
  2. Pronoun Agreement: Distributives are often followed by a singular pronoun to maintain agreement.
    • Example: “Every student must complete his or her homework.”
  3. Indefinite Pronouns: Distributives can be used with indefinite pronouns like “everyone,” “anyone,” and “someone.”
    • Example: “Everyone should bring their own lunch.”

Common Errors to Avoid:

  1. Confusion with Collective Nouns: Distributives help in distinguishing between individual members and the group as a whole. Avoid errors like using “each” or “every” with collective nouns as if they were singular entities.
    • Incorrect: “Every team is happy with their performance.”
    • Correct: “Every member of the team is happy with his or her performance.”
  2. Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure that the verb agrees with the singular noun that the distributive determiner refers to.
    • Incorrect: “Each of the students are ready.”
    • Correct: “Each of the students is ready.”

Conclusion: Understanding distributives in English grammar is essential for precise communication, especially when discussing the distribution or division of items among a group. By mastering their usage and placement, one can enhance the clarity and accuracy of their writing and speech. Remembering the rules and examples provided can aid in avoiding common errors and ensuring grammatical correctness.

Related Articles: Basic English Grammar Course

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