Distributive Pronouns
Distributive pronouns refer to nouns separately rather than collectively in a group. In this lesson, we will learn all about them.
What Are Distributive Pronouns?
Distributive pronouns are used instead of nouns or noun phrases to refer to members or individuals in a group separately, not as a whole group.
English Distributive Pronouns
There are three distributive pronouns in English:
- neither
- either
- each
Neither
Neither means 'not one not the other' in a particular group of two. Here are a few examples that may help you learn 'neither' better:
Of course both of them saw the thief but
How to Use Neither
Neither is a pronouns that implies a negative meaning, thus it is used with an affirmative verb; however, the meaning stays negative. Remember to use a singular verb with neither when it is used as the subject pronoun of the sentence. Check out the examples:
Among these teams,
Either
Either means 'one or the other' of two things or people. Remember when using 'either', we are not referring to two things at the same time. Here are the examples:
There are two kinds of meat. You can take
I have been in China and Japan and I don't like
How to Use Either
Either is used with both negative and affirmative verbs with the same meaning, but remember, it is used with singular verbs only when it is used as the subject pronoun of the sentence.
I need a warm bath or hanging out with my friends.
I have never had Gucci or Dolce, but I think
Each
Each refers to 'one individual' in a group of two or more. Here are a few examples:
We took a sandwich,
I have found two categories,
How to Use Each
Each can be used with either a singular or a plural verb based on the pronoun or noun it refers to. 'Each' can be used with both affirmative and negative verbs.
They
I have had two friends and
Appositive Each
Each can come after pronouns or nouns unnecessarily, just to emphasize the individuals. In this case, usually, when the pronoun or noun is plural the verb stays plural and not singular. Remember, appositives can be omitted from the sentence without changing the meaning. Each is still a pronoun when it is used as an appositive.
They,
Those animals,
Review
Distributive pronouns are used to refer to each individual member of a group of two people or things or more. Here are the distributive pronouns.
- either
- neither
- each