Every, each, whole, both, either and neither

A Every and each

We use every and each before a singular noun to talk about a whole group.

The police questioned every person/each person in the building.

Every room/Each room has a number. In many contexts either word is possible, but there is a difference in meaning.

EVERY EACH

Every person means 'all the people', 'everyone'. Each person means all the people seen as

individuals, one by one.

Every guest watched as the President came in. Each guest (in turn) shook hands with him.

I go for a walk every day. Each day seemed to pass very slowly.

Every means three or more, usually a large Each is more usual with smaller groups and can

number. mean only two.

There were cars parked along every street in There were cars parked along each side of the

town. (= all the streets) street. (= both sides)

We can use each (but not every) on its own or with of.

There are six flats. Each has its own entrance, not Every has...

Each of the six flats has its own entrance, not Every of the ... We can also say Each one/Every one has its own entrance.

We can also use each in mid position (see Unit 113B) or after a pronoun. We've each got our own desk. They gave us each a desk.

Compare every and all before day, morning, week, etc. I travel every day. (= Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,...) I was travelling all day. (= from morning till evening)

B Whole

We use whole before a singular noun. It means 'all' or 'complete'. The baby cried the whole time. (= all the time) I've spent my whole life waiting for this moment. (= all my life) We'll need a whole loaf to make sandwiches for everyone.

C Both, either and neither

We use both, either and neither for two things.

I've got two bicycles. Both of them are quite old. I've given up cycling, so I don't ride either of them any more. Neither of them is in very good condition, I'm afraid.

Both means 'the one and the other'. We can use it in the following structures.

We had two letters this morning, and both letters/both the letters/both of the letters/both of them are bills We can also use both in mid position (see Unit 113B) or after a pronoun.

The letters are both bills. I've opened them both.

Either means 'the one or the other', and neither means 'not the one or the other'. I haven't met either twin/either of the twins/either of them.

Neither shoe fits/Neither of the shoes fit(s)/'Neither of them fit(s).

We can use both, either and neither on their own.

The store has two lifts, and both are out of order/neither is working.

97 Exercises

1 Every and each (A)

Complete the dialogue. Put in every or each. Sometimes both are possible.

Laura: It's a lot bigger than your last house, isn't it? Did you say there are four people living here?

Natasha: Yes, and we (►)each have our own bedroom.

Laura: Does (1)............... person pay a quarter of the rent?

Natasha: That's right. On the first of (2) …………………month.

Laura: It must be fantastic for parties.

Natasha: Yes, it is. We don't have one (3)………………..week, but almost!

Laura: Isn't that rather expensive?

Natasha: Not if (4)……………. guest brings something to eat or drink! Anyway, there'll be no more parties

until our exams are over. We're spending (5)…………… moment revising.

2 Every, all and whole (A-B)

Put in every, all or the whale and the word in brackets. Sometimes more than one answer is possible.

► Melanie is a religious person. She goes to church every Sunday (Sunday).

1 The weather has been awful today. It's been raining....... ……………….. (day).

2 I just can't sleep. I spent.................................... (night) lying awake.

3 Sarah gets the train at half past seven………………………. (morning).

4 It's eleven o'clock. Are you going to lie in bed…………………………(morning)?

5 Last Saturday Trevor spent .............................. (day) putting up some shelves.

6 Why are you in such a hurry.................................. (time) I see you?

3 Both, either and neither (C)

There are two pubs in Brickfield, The White Horse and The Ship. Look at the information and then write the sentences. Use both of them, one of them or neither of them.

The White Horse

meals bar snacks family room

The Ship

meals separate restaurant bar snacks non-smoking area

► (serve meals) Both of them serve meals.

1 (have a separate restaurant) ...

2 (serve bar snacks) ...

3 (have a family room)

4 (allow pub games)

5 (have live music)

6 (have a non-smoking area)...

4 Every, each, whole, both, either and neither (A-C)

Complete the conversation. Put in every, each, whole, both, either or neither.

Assistant: These plain sofas come in two different styles.

Sarah: I think (►)both styles are rather old-fashioned. (1)……………. of them is

really what I want. I don't like (2)……………. of them, I'm afraid.

Assistant: What about a patterned fabric? There are some lovely colours here.
Sarah: I feel more and more unsure with (3)…………… new fabric I look at.

Mark: We haven't got time to look at (4)……………. fabric in the shop.

We've been in here a (5)…………… hour already, you know.

TEST 16 This, my, some, a lot of, all, etc (Units 91-97)

Test 16A

Look at what people are saying and choose the correct meaning.

► Polly: Let's sit under these trees, shall we?

The trees are a) near Polly. b)a long way away from Polly.

1 Martin: My friend and I ate a whole loaf.

Martin and his friend ate a) part of the loaf, b) all the loaf.

2 Nigel: The girls' dog has gone missing.

The dog belongs to a) one girl, b) more than one girl.

3 Tessa: My brother has got his own office.

Tessa's brother a) works alone in the office, b) shares the office with another person.

4 Nancy: The weather looks a little better, I think.

How does Nancy feel about the weather? a) Hopeful, b) Not very hopeful.

5 Ben: I can't answer either of these questions.

How many questions is Ben talking about? a) One. b) Two. c) O More than two.

6 Adrian: The children can keep any tennis balls they find.

Will they find any tennis balls? a) Yes. b) No. c) Adrian doesn't know.

Test 16B

Decide which word is correct.

► What colour shall we have? ~ I don't mind. Pick any colour you like.
a) any b) some c) that d) what

1 Peter has two brothers, but he doesn't speak to…………………… of them.
a) any b) both c) either d) neither

2 ……………….. has left a bicycle outside.

a) Anyone b) Anything c) Someone d) Something

3 I like pictures here. ~ Yes, so do I.
a) that b) these c) this d) those

4 Would you mind waiting................................ minutes?

a) a few b) a little c) few d) little

5 ...... ………. countries still have a king or a queen, don't they?

a) Any b) Half c) Part d) Some

6 Safety should come first…………………… lives shouldn't be put at risk,
a) People b) Peoples c) People's d) Peoples'

7 Nigel isn't very well. ~ Oh, I'm sorry to hear........................

a) so b) that c) this d) you

8 Mr Jones is an uncle of

a) Polly b) Pollys c) Polly's d) Pollys'

Test 16C

Tessa is walking along the street when she sees her old friend Angela.

Read the conversation and write the missing words. Use one word only in each space.

Tessa: Hello, Angela. How are you?

Angela: Tessa! Hello! Shall we have lunch together?

Tessa: I was just going to the bank to get (►)some^> money. I have to be back at the office in

(1)……………. few minutes. My life's one mad rush.

Angela: So is (2)……………. . I'm working for Tuffex Plastics now. And my daughter has invited three

friends (3)…………. ... hers to stay. I wish I didn't have so (4)…………… things to do at once.

Tessa: I'm glad I've run into you. I never see (5)……………. else from our old gang. (6)…………… of

them seem to be around any more.

Angela: I think they've (7)…………… moved away, except us two. Carol went to Japan.

Tessa: Angela, would you like to come for a meal some time?
Angela: Oh, that would be lovely. We'll certainly have a (8)……………. to talk about.

Tessa: Maybe we'll need a (9)……………. day. What about the Saturday after next?

Test 16D

Each of the sentences has a mistake in it. Write the correct sentence.

► Are you going an holiday that year? Are you going on holiday this year?

I That was a very good idea of you.

2 You've got a lot books, haven't you?

3 I don't know the meeting's time.

4 Nigel has hurt the leg.

5 All rooms in the house were cold.

6 Wear everything it doesn't matter what

7 Every of the four doors was locked.

8 I live my life, and my sister lives her.

9 The both socks have got holes in them.

10 Here's a copy of this week magazine.

I1 This sweater is losing it's-color.

12 I want some paper, but there's no in here

Test 16E

Write a second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first. Use the word in brackets.

► When I was on holiday, it rained all week, (whole)
When I was on holiday, it rained the whole week.

1 I've lived here more than half my life, (most)

2 All the hotels were full, (every)

3 The house on the corner is bigger than our house, (ours)

4 I've forgotten my doctor's name, (of)

5 We haven't had much warning of the changes, (little)

6 Such a large number of people have applied for the job. (so)

7 I met one of your old boyfriends at a party, (an)

8 Both the chairs are uncomfortable, (neither)

9 My holiday starts ten days from now. (time)

Date: 2014-12-22; view: 2354