Distributive Adjectives

Distributive Adjectives point out the persons or things named individually or collectively. There are only a few adjectives belonging to Distributive Adjectives.

They are….

• Each
• Every
• Either
• Neither

Examples of EACH:

1. Each player has to play well.
2. A teacher must know each child personally.
3. Each member of the audience applauded the programme.
4. Each friend of mine contributed their share.
5. The teacher met each student before he left the place.

Examples of EVERY:

1. He reads The Hindu every day.
2. Every student has sent an email.
3. My father gets up at 6 o’clock every morning.
4. Every student was encouraged to take part in this event.
5. The show will be broadcast every Monday.
6. Every time she goes shopping, she forgets her debit card.
7. You find a bus every ten minutes from here.
8. Every citizen in India is proud to be an Indian.

Examples of EITHER:

1. Either girl can solve this puzzle.
2. I don’t like to accompany either lady.
3. You can select either book.
4. There are flowers on either side of the Temple.
5. She did not give it to either friend.

Examples of NEITHER:

1. Neither girl could open the door.
2. I like neither neighbour.
3. Neither problem is easy to solve.
4. Neither candidate is suitable for the job.

Points to Focus: 1

Usage of each:

Observe, how the words Each can be used as an Adjective, a Pronoun and also as an Adverb. 

As an Adjective:

1. A rope was tied to each end of the boat.
2. Each employee performed well for success.
3. Each student expressed a different opinion.
4. Each friend of mine received an email.

As a Pronoun:

1. Each had a different solution to the problem.
2. Each of my friends made a phone call to me today.
3. I gave each a book.
4. They each played their part.
5. I gave each of my three friends a book.

 As an Adverb:

1. They cost a dollar each.
2. They cost 50 cents each.
3. We were allowed two tries each.
4. I gave my friends a book each.

Points to Focus: 2

How to use Either and Neither

Let’s see in the table given below.

Recommended Readings:

• Use of Either….or / Neither …nor
• What is an Adjective
• Proper Adjectives
• Adjectives of Quality (Qualitative Adjectives/Descriptive Adjectives)
• Adjectives of Quantity (Quantitative Adjectives)
• Adjectives of Number (Numeral Adjectives)
• Demonstrative Adjectives
• Interrogative Adjectives
• Distributive Adjectives
• Possessive Adjectives (Pronominal)
• Emphasizing Adjectives
• Exclamatory Adjectives
• Participle Adjectives
• Relative Adjectives
• Compound Adjectives