Overview
All, both, neither, either, none, every, and each are precise determiners and pronouns used for totality, pairs, and individual reference. At the upper-intermediate level, mastering their grammar patterns and distinctions is essential for precise, natural English.
1. ALL — The Whole Group
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| all + plural countable | All students must attend. |
| all + uncountable | All water eventually evaporates. |
| all the + noun | All the students passed. |
| all of the + noun | All of the students passed. |
| all of + pronoun | All of them agreed. |
- All knowledge is valuable.
- All the children were present.
- I've read all of his books.
2. BOTH — Two Things Together
Both refers to two specific things viewed together.
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| both + plural noun | Both answers are correct. |
| both the + plural noun | Both the doors were locked. |
| both of the + noun | Both of the candidates spoke well. |
| both of + pronoun | Both of them agreed. |
| Pronoun + both | They both arrived late. |
- I like both options.
- Both my parents are teachers.
- She and I both studied French.
3. NEITHER vs. EITHER — Two Negatives and Choices
| Word | Meaning | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| neither | Not one and not the other (of two) | singular (formal) or plural (informal) |
| either | One or the other (of two) | singular |
NEITHER — negative (both excluded)
- Neither answer is correct. (formal — neither one nor the other)
- Neither of the candidates won. (neither of two)
- I like neither tea nor coffee. (neither…nor)
EITHER — positive (one from two)
- You can use either door. (whichever you prefer)
- Is either of them available?
- I don't like either option. (negative context = both rejected)
4. NONE — Zero (Three or More)
None = "not any / not one" — used for three or more items (or uncountable).
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| none of the + noun | None of the students failed. |
| none of + pronoun | None of them understood. |
| none + uncountable | None of the money was found. |
Note on verb agreement: None of takes a plural verb in informal English, singular in formal.
- None of the students were late. (informal)
- None of the information was correct. (formal/uncountable)
5. EVERY vs. EACH
Both mean "all members of a group separately," but with different focus:
| EVERY | EACH | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | The whole group | Individual members one by one |
| Size | Larger groups | Smaller groups / two items |
| Used with | Singular noun | Singular noun |
| Used with "of" | ✗ (avoid every of) | ✓ each of the students |
- Every student must pass the exam. (all, as a group — rule)
- Each student was given a different test. (one by one — individually)
- Each of the ten teams presented a proposal.
- The president visits every country in the region. (large, indefinite group)
6. ALL vs. EVERY vs. EACH
| ALL | EVERY | EACH | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noun form | plural / uncountable | singular | singular |
| "of" | ✓ all of | ✗ every of | ✓ each of |
| Focus | The whole | Group as whole | Individuals |
| Example | All students | Every student | Each student |
7. NEITHER…NOR / EITHER…OR
| Correlative | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| either…or | One or the other | You can have either tea or coffee. |
| neither…nor | Not one, not the other | He speaks neither French nor Spanish. |
- Either she apologises or I leave.
- Neither the manager nor the staff knew about it.
8. Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Correction | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Every of the students | Each of the students | No "every of" — use "each of" |
| Both answer is right | Both answers are right | "Both" takes plural noun |
| Neither are correct | Neither is correct | Formal: singular verb |
| None of them was wrong | None of them were wrong | Informal: plural verb with "none of + plural" |
| All of students | All of the students | "All of" needs the article |
9. Real-World Examples
- All the delegates approved the motion; neither of the opposing proposals passed.
- Each employee has their own workspace, and every team has its own budget.
- Both plans have merit, but neither is perfect.
- You can apply via either method — both of them are equally valid.
Summary
| Word | For | Meaning | Verb |
|---|---|---|---|
| all | 3+ / uncountable | The whole | plural (usually) |
| both | exactly 2 | The two together | plural |
| every | 3+ | Each one (group rule) | singular |
| each | 2+ | One by one | singular |
| either | exactly 2 | One or the other | singular |
| neither | exactly 2 | Not one, not the other | singular (formal) |
| none | 3+ / uncountable | Not any | singular or plural |