Distributives 2

In this article, we will be learning about distributives. 

What are distributives? 

Distributives help us understand how we are going to refer to members of a group. Understanding distributives allows us to use the correct form of the noun/subject (singular or plural) as well as the verb that follows (again, singular or plural). Let us learn more about distributives like “all”, “both”, and “each”.

All/ Both

1. “Both” is used when there are only two choices, and both of them are involved.

For Example:

• Both my arms feel sore.
• Both the Sun and the Moon appear a lot in folktales.

2. “All” is used when there are 3 or more choices, and all of them are involved.

For Example:

• All of my limbs feel sore.
  (2 arms and 2 legs.)
• All the planets in our solar system have lovely names.
  (8 planets. Sorry, Pluto!)

3. We don’t use “all” when referring to 2 choices:

For Example:

• All of my arms feel sore.
  (Unless you have 3 or more arms, using “all” here is incorrect.)

4. When using "all" or "both", we are talking about many, so we use the plural verb.

For Example:

• All the cadets have submitted their reports.
• All of the spaceships are brand new.
• Both planets look safe enough to explore.
• Both of my co-pilots speak well.

5. In most situations, "both" and "both of" can be used interchangeably.

Examples of situations where you have only ONE OPTION:

• Both of us have been to Mars.
  (Not “Both us have been to Mars.”)
• Both the sun and the moon appear a lot in folktales.
  (Not “Both of the sun and the moon appear a lot in folktales.”)
   

Each

1. When using “each”, it is as though we are picking out the members one by one to talk about them.

(You may already know the phrase “Each is Singular” to help with remembering the verb form to use.)

For Example:

• Each space pilot has a registration card.
  (Not “Each space pilot have a registration card.”)
• Each planet is being explored.
  (Not “Each planet are being explored.”)
• Each trainee goes through a full medical checkup.
  (Not “Each trainee go through a full medical checkup.”)

2. Using “of the” or “one of the” after “each” changes the type of noun you must use:

For Example: (Notice that the verb remains singular “has”.)

• Each pilot has been briefed. (Singular noun “pilot”)
• Each of the pilots has been briefed. (Plural noun “pilots”.)
• Each one of the pilots has been briefed. (Plural noun “pilots”.)

Note: When you say “each of” or “each one of”, you need to state the group you are referring to. In our examples, we were looking at a group of pilots and referring to them individually.

Practice Questions

Question 1:

__________ of my feet are feeling numb because I sat through a 2-hour training session.

1. Both
2. All
3. Each

Answer:

1) both

Explanation:

The correct answer to this question is option (1) - "both". As we have 2 feet and the verb used here (are) is plural, the correct answer is "both". With "each", we use a singular verb.

Question 2:

You have to check with __________ Kris and Hatfeld before you make a decision.

1. Both
2. All
3. Each

Answer:

1) both

Explanation:

As there are 2 people (Krish and Hatfeld) mentioned above, the correct answer to this question is option (1) - “both”.

Question 3:

All __________ have been briefed about Mission 47.

1. pilot
2. the pilot
3. of the pilot
4. the pilots

Answer:

4) the pilots

Explanation:

The correct answer to this question is option (4) - “the pilots”. The hint in this question is the verb (have), which is plural in nature.

Question 4:

Both __________ on Launchpad 9 __________ ready for takeoff.

1. spaceship ... is
2. spaceships ... is
3. spaceships ... are
4. spaceship ... are

Answer:

3) spaceships ... are

Explanation:

As we have 2 spaceships on Launchpad 9, the verb to be used will also be plural in nature. So, the correct answer to this question is option (3) - “spaceships ... are”.

Test Your Concepts

Answer the following questions based on the concepts we have covered in this article. If you get stuck, revisit the relevant section to revise the concepts.

Question 1:

Each of the space stations __________ been equipped with advanced technology.

1. Have
2. Has
3. Is
4. Are

Question 2:

__________ you must read the report about Planet Tetuwin before we leave for the mission.

1. Each
2. All
3. Each of
4. Both

Question 3:

__________ Titen and Appolo are seasoned space pilots. They have been with the company for 25 years.

1. Both
2. Both of
3. All
4. All of

Question 4:

__________ the stars in the Neljin System have been identified and mapped. There are a total of \(9.6\) quintillion stars.

A quintillion is \(1\) followed \(18\) zeros \((1 \,000 \,000 \,000 \,000 \,000 \,000)\). Compare that to a million, which only has \(6\) zeros \((1 \,000 \,000)\)!

1. Both
2. All
3. Both of
4. Each