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What Are Universal Pro-forms?
Universal pro-forms are used to refer to the entirety of something, either by addressing each member of a complete group individually or by referring to the group as a whole.
Universal Pro-forms: Usage
Universal pro-forms are used to refer to all members of a group either as a whole or individually. For example:
All students must have access to quality education.
(refers to the whole group)
Every student must have access to quality education.
(focuses on each individual member of the whole group)
Tip!
There are some uncommon universal words that are rarely used. Here is the list:
everywhence (adverb of source)
everywhither (adverb of purpose)
everywhen (adverb of time)
everywise (adverb of manner)
Universal Pro-form in Positive Statements
Universal words are typically used in affirmative sentences. When a universal word is used, a general, all-inclusive, and nonspecific group is intended. For example:
Everyone likes her.
Everything is OK at the moment.
Universal Pro-forms in Negative Sentences
Universal Words can be used in negative sentences.
I don't know everything.
Universals such as 'every' and 'all' can also be negated by adding the word 'not' before them, but keep in mind that in this case the verb remains affirmative.
Not every noun has a plural form.
Not all his books are good.
Universal Pro-forms in Questions
Universal words can be used in negative and positive questions to refer to a whole group:
Don't you think everything will turn out OK?
Is all well with you?
Universal Pro-forms: Agreement
Most universal words take singular verbs because they either represent a single entity or a collective group of entities that are treated as a single unit. Like collective nouns, universal words are also used with singular verbs and pronouns. For example:
Each member of the family has the flu.
Everyone works hard.
Plural universal words take plural verbs.
Both suspects match the description.
Some universal words can go with either a plural or a singular verb, depending on the noun they're referring to. 'All' is used with plural and uncountable nouns. For example:
All ice is gone.
"ice" is uncountable, so a singular verb is used.
All five cubes of ice are gone.
"five cubes" is used to make "ice" countable. So, a plural verb is used.
'Every' is used with singular nouns and singular verbs because it treats the group as a whole.
Every book in the library has a serial number.
'Each' is used before a singular noun with a singular verb. It can also be used before 'of' and a plural noun. The verb should still be singular:
Each item was thoroughly checked.
Each of these people has some useful talent or experience.
Universal Distributives
Distributives refer to a group of people or things, and to individual members of the group. They show different ways of looking at the individuals within a group, and they express how something is distributed, shared, or divided.
Each vs. Every
One of the main differences between 'each' and 'every' is that 'each' is used to refer to the people or things in a group separately, one by one. 'Every', on the other hand, is used to refer to the whole group of people or things together.
He spoke to each student in the class.
This sentence highlight individuality, meaning he spoke to each student separately.
He spoke to every student in the class.
This sentence focuses on the group of students as a whole.
Additionally, unlike 'every' which is always a determiner, 'each' can be used as both a determiner and a pronoun. When 'each' is used as a pronoun to refer to the subject of the clause, it usually appears between the subject and the main verb, after the modal verb or first auxiliary verb, or after 'be' as a main verb.
We have each agreed to help by contributing some money to the cause.
Every student was given a prize.
Furthermore, 'every' is normally used to refer to three or more people or things. It is not used with smaller numbers. However, 'each' can refer to two or more people or things.
Each parent ✓
Every (one) of my parents ✗
The table below summarizes the differences between these two words:
Each | Every |
|---|---|
refers to members of a group individually | refers to all members of a group as a whole |
can be used for two persons or things | used for three or more persons or things |
can be used as a pronoun | can only be used as a determiner |
All vs. Every
'All' is used with a plural noun and a plural verb, while 'every' is used with a singular noun and a singular verb. 'Every' also implies 'without exception'.
All winners receive a trophy.
'Winners' is a plural noun and 'receive' is a plural verb.
Every winner receives a trophy.
'Winner' is a singular noun and 'receives' is a singular verb.
We use 'all' with uncountable nouns because they cannot be counted individually. For example:
I admire all art. (Not 'every art', because we cannot count art)
All vs. Each
'All' refers to the entire group as a whole. 'Each' refers to the individual members of the group.
I say hello to all guests as they enter the room.
It means the speaker just says the word 'hello' once and addresses it to all guests.
I say hello to each guest as they enter the room.
It means the speaker says 'hello A, hello B, Hello C, hello D, etc. until all of the guest are greeted individually.
Quiz:
Which sentence correctly uses the universal pro-form "every"?
Every students need a permission slip for the field trip.
Every teacher were invited to the conference.
Every student has completed the assignment.
Every children enjoyed the performance.
Sort the words to form a sentence with a universal pro-form.
Fill the blanks with the appropriate universal pro-form. (There is one extra options.)
member of the team was given a specific role.
the lights in the house were turned off by midnight.
seems to be working fine now.
The instructions were explained to
participant before the experiment.
Not
can handle the pressure of a stressful job.
Match the universal pro-form to its correct description.
Fill the table by choosing the form of verb used with each universal pro-form.
| Universal word | Verb form |
|---|---|
Each | |
Every | |
All | |
Both |
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