eitherhand.
Note
the pronoun either differs from the adverb either, which is used in negative sentences.
If you don't order the dessert, I won'teither.
Olivia doesn't know his address, Andrew doesn't knoweither.
– agrees with a singular verb
Doeseitherof you speak Chinese?
Haseitherof you two seen Harry?
RULE 25. All, Both
all
– with uncountable nouns and plural countables
– has a generalized meaning
Allchildren need love.
Olivia said good buy to themall.
– the pronoun all agrees with plural verb if it's used with plural countables; if it refers to uncountable nouns, then pronoun all agrees with singular verb.
All the students wereready.
All the milk wasfresh.
All the book wastorn out.
Note
You may use the whole + noun instead of all the + noun
when it goes with a singular countable noun.
The wholebook was torn out.
– If all precedes other noun modifiers (the, this, my, etc), then it can be used either as all + noun, or all of + noun.
Andrew invitedall his (all of his)friends.
It's important to answerall the (all of the)questions.
Note
Use all of before object pronouns, but just all after them.
Andrew invitedall of them (them all).
All of you (You all)have various questions.
– As the subject it agrees with either singular or plural verb, that depends on the context.
Allis well that ends well.
Allhave gone.
– If the subject is a personal pronoun, then all is put between and the verb.
Wealldecided to dinner out the next day.
Theyallskate in winter.
– If there is a linking verb, an auxiliary or modal one, then all goes after the first verb.
We areallhere.
They haveallseen the movie.
You shouldalltake part in this conference.
Note
All is quite often substituted by comounds everybody, everyone, everything.
Allare happy. => Everyone is happy.
Allis ready. => Everything is ready.
both
– with plural countables
– refers to two persons or things
I likeboth(ties).
Both(applicants) are equally experienced.
– agrees with a plural verb
Which project is better?Bothare good.
– Use of between both and another determiner.
Both of theserestaurants are expensive.
Olivia knowsboth of hisbrothers.
– Use both of with a personal object pronoun (him, her, them, etc); use both after a personal subject pronoun (he, she, they).
Both ofthem (They both) are suitable.
It's a game thatboth ofus (we both) can play.