Quantifiers Expansion: all, both, either, neither, none

Quantifiers help us talk about the amount or number of people or things.
In this lesson, you will learn how to use:

• all
• both
• either
• neither
• none

These words help us talk about groups, choices, and negative ideas.

1. Using “all”

We use all to mean every person or thing in a group.

Structure

• all + plural noun
• all + of + determiner + noun

Examples:

• All students must take the test.
• All of the lights are on.
• All my friends live nearby.

With Pronouns

Structure:

• all of + object pronoun

Examples:

• All of us enjoyed the trip.
• All of them were tired.

We can also place all after the subject pronoun:

• We all enjoyed the trip.
• They all were tired.

Why?

We use all when every person or thing in the group is included.

2. Using “both”

We use both for two people or things together.

Structure

• both + plural noun
• both of + the/my/these/those + plural noun
• both of + us/you/them

Examples:

• Both students passed the exam.
• Both of my parents work here.
• Both of them are friendly.

Why?

We use both when the answer includes the two options.

3. Using “either”

We use either for two options: (1) one or the other (you choose one), or (2) it doesn’t matter which one (both are acceptable).

Structure

• either + singular noun
• either of + the/these/those/my + plural noun
• either of + us/you/them

Examples:

• You can take either bus.
• Either answer is correct.
• Either of them can help you.
• Either day is fine.

Verb Agreement

After either, we usually use a singular verb.

Examples:

• Either option is fine.
• Either of the restaurants is good.

Why?

We use either when both choices are possible, but only one is needed.

4. Using “neither”

We use neither to mean not one and not the other.

Structure

• neither + singular noun
• neither of + the/these/those/my + plural noun
• neither of + us/you/them

Examples:

• Neither answer is correct.
• Neither student understood the question.
• Neither of them came to class.

Verb Agreement

After neither, we usually use a singular verb.

Examples:

• Neither option works.
• Neither of the hotels is cheap.

Why?

We use neither for negative meaning with two choices.

5. Using “none”

We use none to mean zero people or things.

Structure

• none of + determiner/pronoun

Examples:

• None of the students failed.
• None of my friends live here.
• None of them answered.

Verb Agreement

With uncountable nouns, use a singular verb:

• None of the money is missing.

With plural nouns, plural is common:

• None of the students are ready. (Singular is possible but more formal.)

Why?

We use none when there are no people or things in the group.

6. Compare the Difference (Very Important)

Both vs Either

Both = two together (+ plural noun). Either = one of two (+ singular noun).

• Both restaurants are good.
  • Meaning: The two restaurants are good.
• Either restaurant is fine.
  • Meaning: One of the two is enough.

Neither vs None

Neither = not one of two. None = zero of a group (two or more).

• Neither student passed.
  • Meaning: Two students only.
• None of the students passed.
  • Meaning: More than two possible.

All vs None

• All the students passed. (100%)
• None of the students passed. (0%)

7. Easy Way to Remember

• all → every person/thing
• both → two together
• either → one of two
• neither → not one of two
• none → zero

Use all for every member of a group, both/either/neither for two choices, and none for zero people or things.