Quantifiers: all, both, none, no, every, each

Rules

• Rule 1: all and both → plural

  all = everyone or everything (three or more, or a whole). both = the two of them (exactly two). Both take plural nouns and verbs. both … and … = both … and ….

  Pattern: all / both (+ the / my) + plural noun + plural verb

  Example: All the birds are singing.

  Example: Both my parents work.

• Rule 2: every and each → singular

  every and each = each one. A singular noun and a singular verb follow. each thinks about them one by one and works for two things too; every is for three or more.

  Pattern: every / each + singular noun + singular verb

  Example: Every child has a desk.

  Example: She has a bracelet on each arm.

• Rule 3: no and none → “zero”

  no + noun: the verb stays positive (There is no bread). none never goes before a noun; it stands alone or takes of.

  Pattern: no + noun · none · none of + the / my / them

  Example: There are no chairs here.

  Example: None of the shops were open.

• Rule 4: using of

  With pronouns (us, you, them) of is a must: all of us, both of them, each of you, none of them. every never takes of: say each of or every one of instead of ~~every of~~.

  Pattern: all / both / each / none + of + us / you / them

  Example: Each of them has a ticket.

  Example: All of us love summer.

Common mistakes

• Every students are here. → Every student is here. / All the students are here.

  every takes a singular noun and a singular verb.

• There isn't no milk. → There is no milk. / There isn't any milk.

  With no the verb stays positive.

• I have none brothers. → I have no brothers.

  Before a noun use no; none stands alone.