Distributives are words that show how to divide a group of people or things. For example, if you want to address the specific members of a group rather than the whole group, you can say each or every. Distributives that commonly used are:

all – any – both – each – either – every – half – neither – none 

Now we are going to learn how to use them.

1. If we want to refer to a pair of something, or to talk or compare two things, we should use: both, either, or neither.

Both ties are gorgeous!

I am fine with either chicken or egg.

Which one do you like, pasta or pizza? Neither!

1. If we are talking about a group, but only want to refer to the individual parts in it, then we should use: any, each, or every. And since we are referring to an individual, then we should use singular nouns instead of plural.

She likes any dish prepared by her mother.

James polished each door knob in his house until shiny.

Every employee in this office must wear a uniform.

For any and each, you can also combine it with of + plural noun.

Feel free to wear any of my dresses.

Each of us has the right to feel safe.

1. If we want to refer to the whole group, we should use: all or none. Then these two words should be followed by a plural noun.

We should throw all of these boxes away.

None of these keys are useful.

1. To talk about fifty percent of something, use half

She saved half of the cake for her son.

Don’t eat the whole thing, give me half.