My dog is pretty old. He sleeps all day every day.
Every
Every is used only with singular countable nouns and verbs:
Every student has a computer.
Every students have a computer.
Every house looks the same.
Every houses look the same.
We can say everybody, everyone, everything, and everywhere. These words also take singular verbs:
Everyone (or Everybody) is here.
In Canada, everywhere is cold in winter.
Everything costs a lot in this store.
All
All can be used with plural countable nouns. In this usage, it has the same meaning as every. Notice the differences:
- Every student has a computer.
- Every house looks the same.
- All students have a computer.
- All houses look the same.
All can also be used with uncountable nouns:
I hate all coffee.
All music makes me happy.
All can also be used with singular nouns. All + singular noun means "all of the one thing":
I couldn't sleep all night last night.
It was sunny all day yesterday.
Notice the differences with every:
- My dog sleeps on my bed every night.
- I work every day, Monday to Friday, from 9 to 5.
- My dog slept on my bed all night.
- I will be in the office all day tomorrow, from 9 to 5.
All, Most, Some, Etc....
My sister loves all animals (or every animal).
Most animals have legs.
Some animals sleep during the day.
There are no (or aren't any) animals on the moon.
Both, Either, & Neither
These determiners are used to talk about two things or people:
Both = A + B
Use both with countable nouns:
- Both cats and dogs are friendly.
- Canada and the USA are neighbours. Most people in both countries speak English.
- Google and Apple are the biggest computer companies in the world. Both companies are in California.
Either = A or B
Either is used to talk about one from two people or things. It should only be used with singular nouns.
I want to go to either Cuba or Jamaica for vacation. I can't decide which country to choose.
A: What would you like to drink?
B: Either coffee or tea, please.
To take a Smrt class, you need either a computer or tablet.
Neither = A and B
Neither is used to say "not A or B". It is also used with singular nouns:
I don't want to go to Marcello's or Lombardo's. Neither restaurant is very good.
My favourite animals at the zoo were the kiwis and penguins. Neither bird can fly.
Notice the differences between both, either, and neither:
Both
A: Do you want spaghetti or pizza for dinner?
B: Both.
(I want spaghetti and pizza.)
Either
A: Do you want spaghetti or pizza for dinner?
B: Either.
(I want spaghetti or pizza.)
Neither
A: Do you want spaghetti or pizza for dinner?
B: Neither.
(I don't want spaghetti or pizza.)
All, Most, Some, Etc. + Of...
Use of when you use these words with the definite article, this, that, these, those, my, your, his, etc..
Do not use no with of. Use none:
| all most some no / (not) any both / either / neither |
information computers animals food |
| all most some (not) any both either neither |
of | the this that these those my your his her its our their ... |
All students make mistakes.
All of the students in class today made mistakes.
No students enjoy taking tests.
None of the students in my class enjoyed taking the test.
- Both of your shoes are dirty.
- Some of this information is wrong.
- I don't know any of your friends.
- None of the food is warm.
- Neither of my parents live in this city.
We also use of when using object pronouns (you, it, them, us, this, that, these, those):
Some of you didn't study for the test.
None of them are paying attention.
All of us are having a good time.
Exercise
Open the exercise to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.