Language is a powerful tool that allows us to convey our thoughts, ideas, and emotions with precision. But within a vast landscape of grammar and vocabulary, distributive pronouns are a unique and often overlooked trait.
Words like 'еach,' 'еithеr,' 'nеithеr,' and 'both' may seem small, but they carry the extraordinary power to transform our communication, emphasizing the individuality or collaborative nature of the elements within a group. In this blog, we embark on an exciting journey to unravel the world of distributive pronouns and how they are used with suitable examples.
Distributive PronounA pronoun is one of the parts of speech which are used to replace nouns in order to avoid the repetition of the words. Pronouns are classified into many types. Distributive Pronouns are one of the most important pronouns which refer to the members of a particular group in a separate manner. These are very imperative topics for the aspirants and questions are generally asked on this topic
Distributive Pronouns
Distributive pronouns are among the types of pronouns which is used to refer to more than one noun separately but not in a particular group or party. They are used in place of Nouns or noun phrases. The distributive pronouns cover each, either, and neither.
A distributive pronoun mainly refers to a pronoun that shows members of a group or individuals separately, rather than as a whole. These pronouns emphasize the distribution of items or people in a group.
Definition of Distributive Pronoun
Distributive Pronouns are used to mention the persons or things one or single at a particular time rather taking them in a group. They generally takes singular verb with them .
Example of Distributive Pronoun
There are many distributive pronouns like either, each, neither, everyone, none, no one, others, etc.
1. Neither solution is up to the mark
- Here neither is a distributive Pronoun which refers to the single solution
2. Either of them ought to be there
- Either is the distributive Pronoun used for two persons or things which talk about a single person at one time
3. Everyone on the committee agreed to the voting.
- Everyone is the distributive Pronoun which talks about each person separately in the whole committee
Types of Pronoun
- Singular Distributive Pronouns - Singular distributive pronouns refer to individuals or things one at a time. The most commonly used singular distributive pronoun is "each." For Example -
- Each of the contestants will receive a prize.
- Every child should bring their own lunch.
- Neither option is suitable for this situation.
- Plural Distributive Pronouns - Plural distributive pronouns refer to multiple individuals or things at once. The two primary plural distributive pronouns are "both" and "neither." For Example -
- Both teams played exceptionally well.
- Neither of the books has been returned to the library.
How to use Distributive Pronoun
As we all know pronouns take the place of Noun to avoid repetitions. A distributive Pronoun is sued when we have to refer to a single person or items individually from the whole group or committee or party. For example
1. Each can have the ticket from the counter
- Each is used to symbolize every person in the group which is used in place of a Noun
2. None will have to work hard to get the award
- None is used for defining a person from a category which is used instead of a Noun
Use of Either
Either is one of the pronouns which is used for two persons or things. It takes plural noun because of two things and singular verb as we refer to one at a time
- Either of the answers are correct
- You may borrow either of these novels
- We have fewer reports to be analyzed. It's either she or he has to show them.
Use of Every
Every is used to define each one from a whole defined category. It takes singular nouns and singular verb
- Everyone loves to have fast food but it deteriorates their health.
- Everyone has to attend the seminar.
Use of Each
Each is used to define one from a limited group it takes a singular verb. It is used for two or more than two items or persons.
- Each of you is ready to get married.
- Each of the aspirants aspires to his goal.
Use of Neither
Neither is a pronoun used for two things or persons, it is used as a pronoun to replace the noun. It takes a singular verb with it
- Neither of your outfits is ready.
- Neither agreement was to be approved by the boss.
- Neither of them speaks fluent French
When to use Distributive Pronoun
A distributive Pronoun is used to define or point out a single person or thing from the whole category separately. Whenever we denote a one from the two or all we use these pronouns for example
1. None of you seem to be correct
- None is used to point even a single person from two or more than two.
Distributive Pronouns vs Adjective
Distributive Pronouns are used to replace the nouns or used as a noun or any object while Distributive adjectives are used to qualify nouns.
Some of the words are very common in both but they have a different verb and plays the different role
1. Each laptop has to be repaired ( adjective )
- Here each is an adjective used to qualify laptop
2. Each of the members of the party needs to be welcomed. ( Pronoun )
- Here each is used to define a single person at a single time
3. I want every person to attend the conference ( adjective )
- Here every is used as an adjective to qualify a person
4. Either of them start a new business.
Distributive Pronoun - Practice Questions
1. ........... way will lead to the success
( Each, either, other, neither )
Answer: Either used for one from two
2. .......... Students brought their tiffins
( Each, either, neither, other )
Answer: other which takes a plural noun and students is a plural noun
3. She can purchase ............ of these two trousers.
( Each, either, none, other )
Answer: either is used for two things or persons
4. She handles her .............business.
( Each, neither, none, others)
Answer: each business