English grammar: 100 main rules

Everything's done by computer nowadays.

Note

the pronoun everyone differs from the word combination every one.

Everyone is a synonym to everybody and refers only to persons.

Everyone enjoyed the movie.

Every one is a synonym to each one and refers both to persons and things.

He watched a lot of movies and enjoyed every one.

– agrees with singular verb

Every citizen is obliged to observe the constitution.

Each and every one of us has their own opinion.

either

– with countable nouns

– refers to two or more things or persons

There are shops at either end of the street.

Either of these books is useful.

Nick can wear watches on either hand.

Note

the pronoun either differs from the adverb either, which is used in negative sentences.

If you don't order the dessert, I won't either.

Olivia doesn't know his address, Andrew doesn't know either.

– agrees with a singular verb

Does either of you speak Chinese?

Has either of you two seen Harry?

all

– with uncountable nouns and plural countables

– has a generalized meaning

All children need love.

Olivia said good buy to them all.

– 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 were ready.

All the milk was fresh.

All the book was torn out.

Note

You may use the whole + noun instead of all the + noun

when it goes with a singular countable noun.

The whole book 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 invited all his (all of his) friends.

It's important to answer all the (all of the) questions.

Note

Use all of before object pronouns, but just all after them.

Andrew invited all 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.

All is well that ends well.

All have gone.

– If the subject is a personal pronoun, then all is put between and the verb.

We all decided to dinner out the next day.

They all skate in winter.

– If there is a linking verb, an auxiliary or modal one, then all goes after the first verb.

We are all here.

They have all seen the movie.

You should all take part in this conference.

Note

All is quite often substituted by comounds everybody, everyone, everything.

All are happy. => Everyone is happy.

All is ready. => Everything is ready.

both

– with plural countables

– refers to two persons or things

I like both (ties).

Both (applicants) are equally experienced.

– agrees with a plural verb

Which project is better? Both are good.

– Use of between both and another determiner.

Both of these restaurants are expensive.

Olivia knows both of his brothers.

– Use both of with a personal object pronoun (him, her, them, etc); use both after a personal subject pronoun (he, she, they).

Both of them (They both) are suitable.

It's a game that both of us (we both) can play.

many/much

– many with countable nouns; much with uncountable nouns

– refer to indefinitely large number of things or persons

Are there many books on the desk?

Will it take much time to get to the centre?

– mostly used in negative sentences and questions

How many friends have you got?

There isn't much sense in it.

– If many/much are determined by as, so, too, very, use them in affirmative sentences as well.

There were too many variants to choose.

They have changed so much this year.

– If many/much are the subject or the subject attribute, then they can be used in affirmative sentences too.

Much of the work has already been completed.

Many students attend extra classes.

Note

Words a lot (of), lots (of), a plenty (of) are commonly used in affirmative sentences.

We have a lot to discuss.

There are lots of easy ways to follow.

They still have plenty of snow.

few, little

– few with countables; little with uncountables

– refer to indefinitely small number off things or persons; the implied meaning is "not enough"

Nick is sad because he has few friends here.

There was little flour, so I couldn't bake a cake.

– The indefinite article a/an with the pronouns few/little changes the implied meaning for positive "enough".

John has a few friends there.

There was a little flour, so I could bake a cake.

– It is preferable to use any in negative sentences and questions.

Does John have any friends there?

Andy doesn't have any friends there.

Is there any flour at home?

There is no flour at all.

enough

– with both countable and uncountable nouns

– refers to indefinite but sufficient number of something

You have enough time to write an article.

Andrew told them enough.

one

– refers to an undetermined person in general

One cannot learn a language in three months.

One should pay taxes.

Note

In the informal language undetermined persons can be as well expressed by the pronouns you or they.

You must always try to do your best.

They say the weather is changing.

Note

The pronoun one can be used in the possessive form (one's) or in its reflexive form (oneself).

One must learn from one's mistakes.

One should be careful not to hurt oneself.

– agrees with a singular verb

One never knows what may happen.

More than one variant is appropriate.

– substitutes the noun to avoid repetition; often used in Which-questions

See those two handsome men? Andrew is the taller one.

Which dress has Olivia chosen? The red one.

Note

the plural form of the pronoun is also possible.

Andrew bought three apples: a red one and two yellow ones.

Your problems are the ones that understood by many parents.

other

– with countables and uncountables

– The implied meaning "different" is used for indefinite number of things or persons.

Can you bring other shoes, I don't like these ones.

I can't meet you today. Let's do it some other time.

Let's watch other movie, I'm scared.

others

– substitutes a plural noun

Others may know us better than we know ourselves.

Some tourists stay on the beach, others explore the town.

another

– only with singular countable nouns

– The implied meaning is "additional, one more".

Please give me another chance.

The example is not clear? Would you like another?

the other

– with countable plural or singular nouns

– The implied meaning "remaining, the rest" is for definite number of things or persons.

There are two pens on the desk – one is blue, the other is red.

You may take one or the other. You cannot take both.

the others

– substitutes plural nouns

There were three keys in the drawer. One is here, where are the others?

Don't forget the others.