Distributives are words we use to describe how a group of people or things are divided or shared out. Some of the most common distributives in English are each and every. We use them to refer only to three or more things or people.
Example
Explanation
Every new day is a new opportunity.
Every is used in the meaning of all.
Rule 1: We use each and every interchangeably in the meaning of all when referring to three or more things or people.
Example
Explanation
I love each song on this album.
Each song is used in the meaning of all songs.
However, there are some differences between these two words.
Each
Rule 2: We use each with singular nouns to focus on separate things in a group or to emphasize individuals within a group. This word often appears with words such as individually, personally, etc.
Example
Explanation
She signed each poster personally.
Here, each is used to emphasize the individual approach.
Rule 3: We usually use each to refer to smaller numbers - like both, it can also be used to refer to two people or things.
Example
Explanation
I've read both of her published novels and each story is fantastic.
Here, each is used similarily to both.
Rule 4: We use each of before object pronouns (us, them, etc.) and nouns with determiners (the, a/an, these, etc.).
Example
Explanation
Each of the movies I watched over the weekend was terrible.
We use each of because it comes before the noun with a determiner (the movies).
Every
Rule 5: We use every only with singular nouns to refer to all parts in a group of three or more. In contrast to each, every is used for generalizations and emphasizes all elements within a group.
Example
Explanation
Every chocolate cake is delicious.
Here, every is used for generalization.
Rule 6: We use every in front of numbers and ordinal numbers to indicate how often something happens.
Example
Explanation
We order takeaway food every Friday.
Here, every indicates that something happens once a week.
Rule 7: We cannot use every of if we want to use every before a pronoun or a determiner, we must use every one of.
Example
Explanation
Every one of them was staring at me.
We use the construction every one of before the pronoun them.
Note: We use adverbs such as almost, nearly, practically, single, etc. with every rather than each.
Example
Explanation
Every single day is a fresh start.
The adverb single is used with the distributive every.
Quiz
1/4
Choose the correct distributive. We go to the cinema ___ two weeks.
0
correct answers.