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Domain: English Grammar (Competitive Exams – SSC, DSSSB, KVS, NDA, CDS, Teaching Exams, Banking, etc.)

English Grammar Rules – Part 1

Rule 1: One of / Each of / Every one of / Either of / Neither of / None of

Core Rule When the subject begins with:

• One of
• Each of
• Every one of
• Either of
• Neither of
• None of

follow these rules carefully.

Rule 1.1: Noun/Pronoun after "of"

The noun or pronoun immediately after of must always be Plural.

Structure: One of + the + Plural Noun

✔ Correct	❌ Incorrect
One of the boys	One of the boy
Each of the students	Each of the student
Every one of the films	Every one of the film
Either of the roads
Neither of the brothers
None of the members

Rule 1.2: Verb

Although the noun after of is plural, the main subject is considered singular.

Therefore, Verb = Singular

Examples

• ✔ One of the boys has come.
• ✔ Each of the students has submitted the assignment.
• ✔ Every one of the films is interesting.
• ✔ Either of the roads leads to the park.

Rule 1.3: Pronouns and Possessive Adjectives

Pronouns referring back to these subjects should also remain singular.

Examples

• ✔ Each of the students has completed his research paper.
• ✔ One of the boys has done his work.
• ❌ Each of the students has completed their research paper.
• ❌ One of the boys have done their work.

Summary Table

Part	Form
Noun after "of"	Plural
Pronoun after verb	Singular
Possessive adjective	Singular
Main Verb	Singular

Examples

Example 1: ✔ One of the boys has done his work. Analysis: boys → Plural noun ✔ | has → Singular verb ✔ | his → Singular possessive adjective ✔

Rule 2: Relative Pronouns (Who, Which, That)

These connect a noun with additional information.

Examples: Who, Which, That

Antecedent: The noun immediately before the relative pronoun is called the Antecedent.

Example: The women who work here are experienced. (Antecedent = women | Relative Pronoun = who)

Main Rule

The verb after the relative pronoun agrees with the Antecedent, not with "One of" or similar expressions.

Example 1

✔ One of the boys who have come.

Analysis: Main Subject "One" → Singular. Therefore "One of the boys has come." But after "who", Antecedent = boys (Plural). Therefore "who have".

Formula

One of + Plural Noun + Relative Pronoun + Verb Verb after Relative Pronoun ↓ Agrees with Antecedent (Plural Noun)

Comparison

Sentence: One of the boys has won. Explanation: Main verb follows "One"

Sentence: One of the boys who have won. Explanation: "Have" follows "boys"

Either, Neither, One, None

Either of: Meaning: One out of two. Used in Positive Sentences. Structure: Either of + Plural Noun + Singular Verb Example: Either of the two brothers has come.

One of: Used when choosing one from more than two. Examples: One of the five boys, One of the ten students, One of the books

Neither of: Meaning: Not either. No one out of two. Structure: Neither of + Plural Noun + Singular Verb Example: Neither of the two brothers has come.

None of: Used when referring to more than two in negative meaning. Example: None of the eight members attended.

Selection Rule

Situation	Correct Expression
One out of two	Either of
None out of two	Neither of
One out of more than two	One of
None out of more than two	None of

Important Rule: Never use "Either of" for five, six, ten, etc. ❌ Incorrect: Either of the five boys ✔ Correct: One of the five boys ❌ Incorrect: Neither of the eight members ✔ Correct: None of the eight members

Practice Questions

Q1: Either of the roads lead to the park. Correction: Either of the roads leads to the park.

Q2: One of my desires are fulfilled. Correction: One of my desires is fulfilled.

Q3: Neither of the five accused could be convicted. Correction: None of the five accused could be convicted.

Q4: Neither of them sent their papers in time. Correction: Neither of them sent his paper in time.

Q5: One of the writer who believes... Correction: One of the writers who believe... (writers → plural after "One of"; believe → agrees with antecedent "writers")

Q6: One of the scientists which distinguish... Correction: One of the scientists who distinguish... (Relative verb agrees with plural antecedent.)

Q7: He is one of the tallest boy. Correction: He is one of the tallest boys.

Flowchart (Text Representation)

One of / Each of / Every one of

▼ Plural Noun ▼ Singular Main Verb ▼ Singular Pronoun / Adjective

Relative Pronoun Flowchart

Relative Pronoun (Who / Which / That)

▼ Look at Noun Before It (Antecedent) ▼ Verb agrees with Antecedent

Quick Revision

• ✅ One of + Plural Noun + Singular Verb
• ✅ Each of + Plural Noun + Singular Verb
• ✅ Every one of + Plural Noun + Singular Verb
• ✅ Either of = One out of two
• ✅ Neither of = None out of two
• ✅ One of = One out of more than two
• ✅ None of = None out of more than two
• ✅ After Relative Pronouns (who, which, that), the verb agrees with the Antecedent, not with One of.

Memory Tricks

• One/Each/Every one → Think "One Person" → Singular Verb
• Noun after "of" → Always Plural
• Who/Which/That → Look Left (Antecedent)
• Either ↔ Two
• Neither ↔ Two (Negative)
• One ↔ More than Two
• None ↔ More than Two (Negative)

Exam-Oriented Points

Frequently tested in Error Detection. Common in Sentence Improvement. Important for Fill in the Blanks. High-weightage for SSC, DSSSB, KVS, NDA, CDS, Banking, Railway, and Teaching Exams.