
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:
- Each player has to play well.
- A teacher must know each child personally.
- Each member of the audience applauded the programme.
- Each friend of mine contributed their share.
- The teacher met each student before he left the place.
Examples of EVERY:
- He reads The Hindu every day.
- Every student has sent an email.
- My father gets up at 6 o’clock every morning.
- Every student was encouraged to take part in this event.
- The show will be broadcast every Monday.
- Every time she goes shopping, she forgets her debit card.
- You find a bus every ten minutes from here.
- Every citizen in India is proud to be an Indian.
Examples of EITHER:
- Either girl can solve this puzzle.
- I don’t like to accompany either lady.
- You can select either book.
- There are flowers on either side of the Temple.
- She did not give it to either friend.
Examples of NEITHER:
- Neither girl could open the door.
- I like neither neighbour.
- Neither problem is easy to solve.
- 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:
- A rope was tied to each end of the boat.
- Each employee performed well for success.
- Each student expressed a different opinion.
- Each friend of mine received an email.
As a Pronoun:
- Each had a different solution to the problem.
- Each of my friends made a phone call to me today.
- I gave each a book.
- They each played their part.
- I gave each of my three friends a book.
As an Adverb:
- They cost a dollar each.
- They cost 50 cents each.
- We were allowed two tries each.
- 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.
Usage | Either (Either….or) | Neither (Neither….or) |
As an Adjective
(used as determiners) |
The house has a door at either end. | Neither statement given by him is true. |
As an Adverb
(act as connecting words) |
She doesn’t agree, but she doesn’t argue either. | Ricky can’t go, and neither can I. |
As a Pronoun
(of + noun phrase) |
Either of those books can be offered as a gift to her. | Neither of my suggestions will be accepted. |
As a conjunction
(used together with the words or and nor) |
You can go there either by tour bus or by taxi. | She could neither wait nor go. |
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