Each vs Every: Singular Verbs & Common ESL Errors

Introduction

Do you ever pause mid-sentence, wondering whether to write “each student is” or “each student are“? You are not alone. The words each and every look simple, but they cause real headaches for learners because they describe groups while pointing to individuals. Getting them right makes your writing clearer and more professional, and it helps you avoid the singular verb agreement errors that examiners and editors notice immediately.

What Is the Difference Between “Each” and “Every”?

Each refers to the individual members of a group, one by one, and it works with groups of two or more. Every refers to all the members of a group together, seen as a complete set, and it normally needs a group of three or more. Both words are followed by a singular noun and take a singular verb, which is where most confusion begins. Think of each as a spotlight on one person at a time, and every as a wide camera shot of the whole group.

Rules for Using “Each” and “Every”

1. Use a singular verb. Both words take a singular verb: Each child has a book. / Every child has a book.
2. Use a singular noun. Never put a plural noun directly after them: each student (not each students), every car (not every cars).
3. Use “each” for two or more; use “every” for three or more. Each of my two brothers is fine, but every of my two brothers is not.
4. Use “each of” with a plural noun or pronoun, but keep the verb singular. Each of the players was tired.
5. Keep pronouns consistent. Traditional grammar uses singular pronouns (his, her, its, they as a singular form in modern usage) after these words: Each student must bring their notebook.
6. Place “each” in different positions. It can follow a plural subject: They each received a prize (plural verb here, because the subject is they).
7. Use “every” with time expressions to show repetition. every day, every week, every two hours.
8. Do not use “every” alone as a pronoun. Say each of them, not every of them.

How to Use “Each” and “Every” Step by Step

Step 1: Decide what you are emphasising. If you want to highlight members one by one, choose each. If you want to talk about the whole group as a unit, choose every.

Step 2: Check the size of the group. Two items? Use each. Three or more? Either word works, but every sounds more general and each sounds more specific.

Step 3: Add a singular noun. each employee, every employee — never each employees.

Step 4: Choose a singular verb. Each employee receives a badge. / Every employee receives a badge.

Step 5: Match your pronoun. Use a singular pronoun or the modern singular they: Each employee must wear their badge.

Step 6: Check word order. If each follows a plural subject, the verb stays plural: The employees each receive a badge.

Examples in Sentences

• Each of the students was given a certificate. (singular verb after each of)
• Every house on the street has a garden. (singular verb after every)
• The teachers each received a new laptop. (plural subject, plural verb)
• Each answer is worth two points. (singular noun and verb)
• Every morning, she jogs for twenty minutes. (repetition with every)
• Each of the two candidates has strong experience. (each with a group of two)
• Every member of the team needs to attend. (whole group, singular verb)
• Each child must bring their own lunch. (pronoun consistency)
• Every city in the region was affected by the storm. (singular verb)
• Each of us has a different opinion. (singular verb after each of us)
• The boxes each weigh about five kilos. (plural subject, plural verb)
• Every question in the test counts equally. (singular verb)

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Plural verb after “each” or “every.”
❌ Each student have a locker.
✅ Each student has a locker.

Mistake 2: Plural noun directly after the word.
❌ Every students must register.
✅ Every student must register.

Mistake 3: Using “every” with only two items or as a pronoun.
❌ Every of my parents called me.
✅ Each of my parents called me.

Mistake 4: Mixing singular and plural pronouns.
❌ Each girl brought their friend, and they was early.
✅ Each girl brought her friend, and they were early. (or: Each girl brought their friend, and they were early — keep the verb plural with they.)

Mistake 5: Wrong verb after a plural subject with “each.”
❌ The players each gets a medal.
✅ The players each get a medal.

Quick Summary

• Each = members one by one; works with two or more.
• Every = the whole group; needs three or more.
• Both take a singular noun and a singular verb.
• After each of / every one of, use a plural noun but a singular verb.
• Keep pronouns consistent; singular they is acceptable in modern English.
• When each follows a plural subject, the verb stays plural.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the word in brackets.

1. Each of the boys ______ (have) a bicycle.
2. Every shop in the mall ______ (open) at nine.
3. The students each ______ (receive) a workbook.
4. Each child should write ______ (his/her/their) name on the form.
5. Every one of the answers ______ (be) correct.

Answers:

1. has
2. opens
3. receive
4. his/her (or their in modern usage)
5. is

Conclusion

Mastering each and every comes down to one simple habit: check the noun and the verb, then check your pronoun. Remember that each spotlights individuals while every gathers the whole group, but both demand singular agreement. Practise these rules daily, and your sentences will sound accurate and natural every time.

FAQ

1. Is “each” always followed by a singular verb?
Yes, when each is the subject or part of the subject phrase (each of the students), the verb is singular: Each of the students is ready. The exception is when each follows a plural subject — then the verb agrees with that plural subject: The students each are ready.

2. Can I use “every” with two things?
No. Every needs a group of three or more. With two items, use each: Each of my two sisters lives abroad. Saying every of my two sisters is grammatically incorrect.

3. Is it wrong to say “Each student must bring their book”?
In modern English, singular they/their after each and every is widely accepted, especially when gender is unknown or mixed. Traditional grammar prefers his or her, but both are defensible. What you must never do is mix forms inconsistently within the same sentence.

4. What is the difference between “each” and “every” in meaning?
Each focuses on individual members separately, one at a time, and often implies a small, specific group. Every focuses on all members as a complete whole and sounds more general. Compare: I spoke to each student (one by one) versus Every student passed the exam (the whole group, no exceptions).