Distributives

Distributives are words like each and every that refer to all members of a group, one at a time. They help you talk about individuals within a group rather than the group as a whole.

What You'll Learn

• Why each and every always take a singular verb
• The difference between each and every in meaning
• How to use each of with plural nouns but still keep the verb singular
• How to avoid common subject-verb agreement mistakes with distributives

When to Use

1. Talking about individuals in a group: "Each student has a textbook." (You mean every single student, one by one.)
2. Making rules that apply to everyone: "Every pupil wears a uniform to school." (No one is left out.)
3. Describing routines: "Each morning, the bus arrives at seven o'clock."
4. Pointing out every single item: "Every stall at the hawker centre sells something different."
5. Using "each of" with a group: "Each of the children brings a water bottle."

How to Form

Each / Every + Singular Noun + Singular Verb

Each of + Plural Noun + Singular Verb

When you use each of, the noun after "of" is plural, but the verb stays singular because you are still talking about one person or thing at a time.

Each vs Every -- When to Choose

Key Rules

1. Singular verb -- always: Each and every treat the noun as singular, so the verb must be singular too. "Each pupil is ready." NOT "Each pupil are ready."
2. Singular noun after each/every: Write "every child", not "every children". The noun right after each or every is always singular.
3. Each of + plural noun, but singular verb: "Each of the girls plays netball." The noun after "of" is plural, but the verb matches "each" (singular).
4. No "every of": You can say "each of the books" but you cannot say "every of the books". Use "every one of the books" instead.
5. Pronouns stay singular: When you refer back to each/every, use he, she, it or his, her, its. "Every boy must bring his own water bottle."
6. Each can stand alone: Each can be used without a noun when the meaning is clear. "The cupcakes cost two dollars each." Every cannot be used this way.

Common Mistakes

Clue Words

Words that signal a singular verb is needed:

each, every, each of, every one of, every single

Common singular verb forms to use with distributives:

is, has, does, was, goes, takes, needs, wants, comes, gets

Phrases that remind you the verb is singular:

"each and every" (still singular!): "Each and every student is important."

Tip: Think of each and every as a magnifying glass -- they zoom in on one person or thing at a time. One person = singular verb. Always.

Practice Tips

1. Cover-and-check: Cover the verb in the sentence. Ask yourself, "Does the sentence start with each or every?" If yes, the verb must be singular. Then uncover and check.
2. Replace with "one": If you are unsure, try replacing "each student" with "one student" or "every child" with "one child". You would say "One student has..." so "Each student has..." is correct too.
3. Watch out for "each of": When you see "each of", find the verb and make sure it is singular, even though the noun after "of" is plural. The word "each" controls the verb, not the plural noun.
4. Read it aloud: Say the sentence out loud. "Each students have" sounds odd once you get used to the correct pattern. Trust your ear after enough practice.

Quick Reference