For careful school English, write “Each of them is”. The grammatical head is each, which focuses on one member at a time, so the verb is singular even though them refers to several people or things.
The plural word beside the verb is a distraction. In “Each of the books is labelled”, books sits inside the of-phrase; it does not control the verb. Compare “All of the books are labelled”, where all presents the group collectively.
Try this now: cover the words of them in “Each of them is ready”. Read “Each is ready”, then uncover the phrase. This head-word check is more reliable than choosing the verb nearest to a plural noun.
What this guide helps you do
1. Find the word that controls the verb
Subject–verb agreement follows the grammatical subject, not simply the nearest noun. In “Each of the players is wearing a badge”, the subject head is each. The phrase of the players tells us which group is being considered.
Removing the interrupting phrase reveals the structure: “Each is wearing a badge.” Put the phrase back and the singular verb remains.
Original teaching illustration: draw a box around each, put brackets around of the players, and underline is. Ask the child to connect the boxed head to the underlined verb before editing spelling or punctuation.
2. Contrast each, every and all
| Expression | Focus | Careful school-English pattern |
| Each of the cards | one card at a time | Each of the cards is marked. |
| Every card | every individual member | Every card is marked. |
| All of the cards | the plural group | All of the cards are marked. |
| Both cards | the pair as plural | Both cards are marked. |
The meaning changes slightly with the grammar. Each can draw attention to individual differences: “Each of the answers is explained differently.” All can foreground the set: “All of the answers are complete.”
Do not turn this into a one-line chant. The learner should identify the subject head and explain the intended focus.
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3. Keep pronouns and verbs separate
Why can them be plural while the verb is singular? They do different jobs. Each controls agreement; them is the object of the preposition of. A plural pronoun can therefore appear inside a singular-subject phrase.
Modern English also uses singular they for a person whose gender is unknown or irrelevant: “Each student should bring their file.” That pronoun choice does not change the main verb: “Each student is responsible.”
Original teaching illustration: compare “Each of them is carrying a bag” with “They are carrying bags”. The first zooms in one by one; the second treats the people as a plural subject.
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4. Edit agreement inside real sentences
- Nearest-noun error: “Each of the experiments are complete.” Find the head each.
- Meaning mismatch: the writer chooses each but intends a collective statement better expressed with all.
- Pronoun confusion: a plural or singular pronoun is changed mechanically without checking who it refers to.
- Editing-only success: the learner fixes a worksheet item but repeats the error in a composition.
Practise in connected writing: “Each of the witnesses is asked the same question. They record their answers independently.” The singular verb belongs to each; the later plural pronoun refers to the witnesses as a group.
When a sentence feels awkward, rewrite for clarity rather than forcing complexity: “All the pupils are ready” may be the cleanest choice.
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5. Choose tuition evidence that shows transfer
A tutor should check whether the learner can find the grammatical head, preserve meaning and transfer the pattern into a new paragraph. Ten identical gap-fill items may measure recognition without showing independent control.
For Secondary English, match examples and editing demands to the learner’s actual G1, G2 or G3 subject level and school materials. Posting Group and subject level are different. From 2027, SEC certification reflects the subjects and levels actually sat.
A useful progress note is: “Identifies each as the head, selects a singular verb and rewrites with all when collective meaning is intended.” Recheck the skill in composition after a delay.
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A calm next step
Bring two sentences from the child’s own writing, including one agreement error. In a verified 3-pax setting, the tutor can ask every learner to find the head word, choose the verb and explain the meaning.
Ask eduKate about a diagnosis-first English lesson. The aim is a skill the learner can explain and transfer, not a guaranteed grade.
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Sources and scope
Policy and examination details were checked against the linked official sources. Teaching examples and parent routines are original practical illustrations, not promises of a particular grade.