Distributive adjective masterclass

This lesson helps us understand what a distributive adjective is, and when to use it in a sentence.

What is a distributive adjective in English?

Distributive adjective definition: a distributive adjective is a word that is used to individually point out a person/thing of a group. It comes before a noun it modifies.

Here are the distributive adjectives in English:

• Each
• Every
• Either
• Neither
• Both
• Any

ADJECTIVES	USAGE	EXAMPLES
Each	The word ‘each’ as a distributive adjective is used to refer to one (but not specific) member of a group. It is followed by a singular noun.	1. Each member knows their job well. 2. I gave each person a chance to speak. 3. Each packet was made with a lof of love and care. 4. We are very aware of what each member of their team can do.
Every	The word ‘every’ as a distributive adjective is used to look at a group of people/things as a whole. It is followed by a singular noun.	1. Each member knows their job well. 2. I gave each person a chance to speak. 3. Each packet was made with a lot of love and care. 4. We are very aware of what each member of their team can do.
Either	The word ‘either’ as a distributive adjective is used to refer to one item in a group of two: anyone out of the two items. It is also followed by a singular noun.	1. Either guy can do this job. 2. Either candidate perfectly fits the requirements we have for the role. 3. I am happy with either offer. 4. Both houses are affordable and spacious. They are definitely buying either one.
Neither	The word ‘neither’ as a distributive adjective means ‘not out of the two.’ It is also followed by a singular noun.	1. Neither girl was at fault. 2. Neither guy belongs to a good family. 3. Neither statement makes any sense. 4. I took inspiration from neither story.
Both	The word ‘both’ as a distributive adjective refers to two items in a list of two. It is followed by a plural noun that it modifies.	1. Both men are very talented. 2. I like both ideas. 3. Both parties are at fault to some extent. 4. I think you should buy both flats.
Any	The word ‘any’ as a distributive adjective refers to one item of the group separately. It is followed by a singular noun that it modifies.	1. I am okay with reading any book. 2. I didn’t have any idea about this. 3. Any person with two hands can do it. 4. Any person with two hands can do this.

Don’t confuse a distributive adjective with a distributive pronoun!

All these words (each, either, neither, both, any) leaving ‘every’ can also function as a pronoun. When they function as a pronoun, we call them distributive pronouns.

As a pronoun, they stand alone and don’t follow a noun. That’s what makes them different distributive adjectives. Both a distributive pronoun and a distributive adjective look and spell the same, what makes them different is what they do in a sentence. The former refers to a noun and works as a pronoun, and the latter comes before a noun and modifies it like an adjective.

• Each actor in the movie was selected after a series of multiple auditions and screenings. (distributive adjective)
• Each of these has been imported from different countries. (distributive pronoun)

• Select either candidate. They both are skillful. (distributive adjective)
• Both Jon and Jones are skillful. Give me either for this project. (distributive pronoun)

• Neither book is worth reading. (distributive adjective)
• I went through both books, but neither really impressed me. (distributive pronoun)

• I was born in India but have lived in Canada mostly. I love both countries equally. (distributive adjective)
• Most people use YouTube and Facebook on a daily basis. Both are owned by Google. (distributive pronoun)

Notice when these words function as a pronoun, they are not followed by a noun. They can be followed by a prepositional phrase working as an adjective though. The prepositional phrase modifies the pronoun and works as a postmodifier.