Distributives

The distributives each and every are both related to describing members of a group. These distributives can only be used with countable nouns by being placed before the nouns. In many cases, they are interchangeable but there is a subtle difference between them.

Each person is unique

Every person is unique

Distributive Each#

Each is used to describe and highlight an individual member of a group, or multiple individuals. By using each you recognise the item is a part of a group, but that it also needs to be pointed out as a singular item too.

Each book on the shelf had a unique cover

Each can be used with plural nouns and pronouns but must be followed by of.

Each of the pupils received a Christmas card

Each can be used after the subject or at the end of a sentence.

My siblings each have their own room

My mother gave my sister and I £20 each (=gave £20 to each of us.)

Distributive Every#

Every by constrast is a way of referring to the group as a collection of individual members. Every cannot be used with plural nouns

Every boys in my class wanted that computer game. Every boy in my class wanted that computer game

Every can express different points in a series, especially with time expressions.

Every morning Phillip goes for a run

And every time Ann would forgive him

Guided Practice#

• .................... contestant had something special about them.

• .................... us wanted to volunteer for the project. And .................... the members filled in the application form.

• My parents .................... have their own car.
• I bought three pairs of shoes £20 .................... . (=each pair of shoes cost £20)

• Every people want to live a happy live. .................... wants to live a happy life.

• .................... time I say something my brother gets annoyed.

Short Story using Distributives Each - Every#

-Have you heard of Crystal's upcoming wedding? They are throwing a huge party with 300 guests invited.

-That's a lot of people!

-Yeah, and each of the guests received a handwritten invitation. Could you believe that?

-Maybe they wanted everyone to feel welcomed.

-I could have never done something like that! That's just insane and sounds like a total waste of time.

-Well, to each his own, I suppose.

Independent Practice#

Fill in the gaps with each or every.

1. My two sisters .................... have their own business.
2. I live with a roommate, so we are paying £500 .....................
3. .................... of the board directors signed the papers.
4. Stop being so judgemental! As they say, to .................... his own.
5. .................... day I read 20 pages of a book.

Rewrite the sentences so that they have a similar meaning and contain the distributive in brackets.

1. Whenever I tell you to calm down, you snap at me. (every)
2. Susan, Megan, Kelly and I got free tickets to the cinema. (each)
3. The police searched all the buildings in the neighbourhood. (every)
4. Different people like different things. (each)
5. I was looking for you everywhere! And all of our friends were trying to reach you too! (each)