What are Advanced Quantifiers?
In English, basic quantifiers like some or any talk about general amounts. Advanced Quantifiers such as all, both, neither, either, none, every, and each are precise determiners and pronouns used to express totality, pairs, and individual reference. Mastering the specific grammar patterns for these words is essential for speaking and writing precise, natural English at an advanced level.
Advanced Quantifiers Structure and Formula
Advanced quantifiers adhere to specific formulas, particularly regarding noun plurality and verb agreement.
Core Formulas:
- Quantifier + Plural Noun / Uncountable Noun + V (plural/singular)
- Quantifier + of the + Plural Noun / Pronoun + V (plural/singular)
- Each / Every + Singular Noun + V (singular)
How to Form "All" and "Both": The Whole Group and Pairs
ALL — The Whole Group
Use "all" to refer to the complete amount of something.
| Pattern Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| all + plural countable + V-plural | All students must attend. |
| all + uncountable + V-singular | 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.
- I've read all of his books.
BOTH — Two Things Together
Both exclusively refers to two specific things viewed together (always taking a plural verb).
| Pattern Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| both + plural noun + V-plural | Both answers are correct. |
| both the + plural noun + V-plural | 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. |
💡 Tip: While "both the" and "both of the" mean the same thing, "both of" is mandatory when using an object pronoun (e.g., both of us, never both us).
How to Identify "Neither" and "Either" in a Sentence
"Neither" and "Either" apply strictly to groups of two.
NEITHER — Negative (Both Excluded)
Meaning: Not one and not the other (0 out of 2).
- Structure: Neither + Singular Noun + V-singular (Formal)
- Neither answer is correct. (Formal — neither one nor the other)
- Structure: Neither of the + Plural Noun + V-singular/plural
- Neither of the candidates won.
EITHER — Positive (One or the Other)
Meaning: One from two choices, it doesn't matter which (1 out of 2).
- Structure: Either + Singular Noun
- You can use either door. (Whichever you prefer)
- Is either of them available?
- I don't like either option. (In a negative context with 'not/don't', 'either' implies both are rejected: I don't like A, and I don't like B).
When to Use "None" in English
None means "not any" or "not one." You use it when referring to three or more items, or uncountable nouns. (For two items, you must use neither).
| Pattern Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| none of the + plural noun | None of the students failed. |
| none of + pronoun | None of them understood. |
| none of the + uncountable | None of the money was found. |
Note on Verb Agreement: None of mathematically implies 'not one', so formally it takes a singular verb. However, informal spoken English often uses a plural verb.
- None of the students were late. (Informal, V-plural)
- None of the information was correct. (Uncountable, V-singular)
How to Tell the Difference Between "Every" and "Each"
Both mean "all members of a group separately," but they have a slightly different focus. Both words must be followed by a singular noun and a singular verb (S + V-s/es).
| Feature | EVERY (All) | EACH (Individuals) |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | The whole group acting alike | Individual members, taken one by one |
| Group Size | Larger, indefinite groups (3+) | Smaller groups or exactly two items |
| With "of" | ✗ Incorrect (never every of) | ✓ Correct (each of the students) |
- Every student must pass the exam. (A general rule for the whole group)
- Each student was given a different test. (Focus on the individual variations)
- The president visits every country in the region. (Large group focus)
- Each of the ten teams presented a proposal. (Specific limited group)
Correlative Conjunctions: Neither…Nor / Either…Or
These pairs are used to join two clauses or nouns.
| Correlative | Meaning | Structure 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. (Joining clauses)
- Neither the manager nor the staff knew about it.
💡 Tip: In a Neither N1 nor N2 structure, if N2 is plural, the verb agrees with the closer noun (e.g., Neither the manager nor the employees know**).
Real-life Examples of Advanced Quantifiers Usage
- All the delegates approved the motion; neither of the opposing proposals passed. (S + V + O)
- 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 & Cheatsheet for Advanced Quantifiers
| Quantifier | Target Size | Meaning | Verb Agreement |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 3+ / uncountable | The whole amount | Plural (usually) |
| Both | Exactly 2 | The two things together | Plural |
| Every | 3+ | Each one (group rule) | Singular |
| Each | 2+ | Individually (one by one) | Singular |
| Either | Exactly 2 | One or the other | Singular |
| Neither | Exactly 2 | Not one, not the other | Singular |
| None | 3+ / uncountable | Not any / zero | Singular (Formal) / Plural (Informal) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I say "every of my friends"?
No, "every of" is grammatically incorrect in English. You must use "each of" when referring to individuals in a group, or "all of" when referring to the group as a whole. So, you should say "Each of my friends" or "All of my friends."
What is the difference between "neither" and "none"?
"Neither" is exclusively used for exactly two things (e.g., I tried both shirts, but neither fit). "None" is used for three or more things, or for uncountable amounts (e.g., I tried five shirts, but none of them fit).
Why do people say "Both answer is right" sometimes?
This is a common grammatical error. "Both" refers to two things, so it must always be followed by a plural noun and a plural verb. The correct phrasing is "Both answers are right." If you want to use a singular noun, use "each" or "either" (e.g., Each answer is right).
Does "either" mean one or both?
"Either" refers to one option out of two choices (e.g., You can have either soup or salad). It does not mean both options together. If you mean both together, you must use the word "both." However, in negative sentences with "not," "not either" implies both are rejected (e.g., I don't like either one means I dislike both).