Each time I’m confronted with the word “each” or a phrase that includes “each,” I find myself stalling out and wondering if I’m using the correct verb with it. On the surface level, it seems like a no-brainer that in each example I would use a singular verb, but then I’ll run into one that seems to go the other way.
Have you ever been confused about whether to use a singular or plural verb with the word “each”? Grammar rules can be tricky, but understanding this specific usage can make a big difference in your writing. If you’re looking to improve your grammar skills, especially when it comes to subject-verb agreement, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this blog post, we will explore the rules and provide examples to help clarify this common language dilemma.
What Does ‘Each’ Mean?
The word “each” refers to every one of two or more individuals or objects within a group. “Each” typically describes countable nouns (which you can represent in singular or plural form), rather than uncountable nouns (which cannot occur in plural form). The word can function as a distributive, pronoun, adjective, or adverb.
A distributive is a word that refers to one or multiple entities within a group of countable nouns. In some situations, words like “individually,” “exclusively,” or “separately” can be synonyms for “each.”
As an indefinite pronoun, “each” refers to a general group without naming who or what it refers to. “Each” can also act as an indefinite adjective, which describes nouns in a general manner without specifically naming who or what they are.
As an adverb, you can use “each” to mean “apiece.”
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Is ‘Each’ Singular or Plural?
The word “each” refers to a singular subject within a group of countable nouns, so it is technically a singular word. Some American English speakers may be unclear on this technicality due to the subject-verb agreement rules that apply to the use of “each.” Writers who use “each” to refer to the subject of a sentence should modify the number of the verb depending on whether the subject is singular or plural.
We need to know what each is before we can determine its verb. One can use the word “each” as a pronoun, an adverb, or an adjective. Since each is a singular pronoun, it is typically used with other singular verbs.
Use the singular verb form when “each” comes before a singular word or subject. Use the plural verb form if the sentence comes after a plural subject. When placing the pronoun phrase “each of” before a plural noun or other pronoun, some English language learners and writers become perplexed and mistakenly employ the plural verb form (“each of them have”). The singular form of the verb (“each of them has”) is the appropriate selection in this instance.
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Each + pronoun and possessive
We use each with plural pronouns and possessives, especially when we don’t want to say he/she, women/men, etc.:
Each person who joins the gym gets a free bag and they get a pass to bring a friend for a free visit. (Each person and they avoids saying each man and woman and he, she.)
Each member of the community should take pride in their local environment.
Each referring to a subject
When we use each to refer to the subject of the clause, it usually appears in the normal mid position for adverbs, between the subject and the main verb, after the modal verb or first auxiliary verb, or after be as a main verb:
We each agreed to help by contributing some money towards the cost.
We would each say a poem or sing a song.
Have you each signed the contract?
Husband and wife are each entitled to invest up to the maximum of £40,000.
Functions of ‘Each’ In A Sentence
You can use ‘each’ in a sentence as a determiner, pronoun, and adverb:
1. ‘Each’ as a Determiner
Use
‘Each’ as a determiner is used before a singular noun to show that ‘every member, individual of a group of people or things.’
Examples of sentences using “each” as a determiner
- Each book is sold right now.
- There is a group of books and we are referring to everyone of it.
- She talked to each student in the class.
Position in a Sentence
‘Each’ as a determiner is used before singular nouns, so it takes a singular verb. ‘Each’ and the modified noun can act as the subject, object, subject complement, etc.
- Each book is sold right now.
subject
- She talked to each student in the class.
object of the preposition
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2. ‘Each’ as a Pronoun
Use
‘Each’ as a pronoun replaces the singular noun it refers to and shows that ‘every member, individual of a group of people or things.’
For example:
- Each of us knew the reason why we had burn out at work.
This sentence could be ‘we each knew…’
- Each can be sold at 50 $.
Position in a Sentence
*Each’ as a pronoun replaces a singular noun, so a singular verb must be used. ‘Each’ can be the subject, the object, the subject complement, etc.
- Each can be sold at 50 $.
subject
- We needed each of them quickly.
object
SEE ALSO: When to Use Then and Than: A Quick Guide to Getting It Right
3. ‘Each’ as an Adverb
Use
‘Each’ as an adverb is used to modify the meaning of the verb. It has the same meaning to ‘to, from, or for each; apiece.’ For example:
- We each knew what to do.
- They each cost one dollar.
Position in a Sentence
‘Each’ as an adverb does not have a pre-determined place. Therefore, you can put it before verbs, and after them, or at the end of the sentence.
For example:
- They each cost one dollar.
- We were given each an apple.
- We were given an apple each.
FAQs On Does Each Use a Plural or Singular Verb
‘Each’ as an adverb is used to modify the meaning of the verb. It has the same meaning to ‘to, from, or for each; apiece.
The word “each” refers to a singular subject within a group of countable nouns, so it is technically a singular word.
The word “each” refers to every one of two or more individuals or objects within a group.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, always remember that under the traditional rule, the indefinite pronoun each is always singular and takes a singular verb.
References
- masterclass.com – Is ‘Each’ Singular or Plural? How to Use ‘Each’ Correctly
- dictionary.cambridge.org – Each
