Introduction
Do you ever stop mid-sentence and wonder, “Should I say each student is or each student are?” If so, you are not alone. The words each, every, and all look simple, but they follow very different grammar rules. Getting them right makes your English sound natural and confident, so let’s break them down clearly.
What Is the Difference Between “Each,” “Every,” and “All”?
These three words are quantifiers — words that tell us how much or how many. The key difference is how they view a group.
- Each looks at members of a group one by one. It focuses on individuals. Use it with two or more items, and it takes a singular verb.
- Every also looks at members one by one, but it sees them as part of a whole group with no exceptions. It takes a singular verb and is used with three or more items.
- All looks at the group as a complete unit. It takes a plural verb with countable nouns, and a singular verb with uncountable nouns.
In short: each = one by one (small groups), every = one by one (whole group), all = the entire group together. This “one by one” idea is called distributive meaning, and it is the reason each and every behave like singular words.
Rules for Using Each, Every, and All
- Each + singular noun + singular verb. Example: Each boy has a book.
- Every + singular noun + singular verb. Example: Every girl is ready.
- All + plural countable noun + plural verb. Example: All the students are here.
- All + uncountable noun + singular verb. Example: All the water is gone.
- Each of / Every one of + plural noun + singular verb. Example: Each of the players wants to win.
- Each and every (a fixed phrase) still takes a singular verb. Example: Each and every member needs to sign.
- Pronoun agreement: after each/every, use his or her or the singular they. Example: Every student should bring their notebook.
- Each can stand alone as a pronoun. Example: The tickets cost $10 each.
- Every cannot stand alone; it always needs a noun. Say every one of them, not every of them.
- All can also mean “everything.” Example: All is well.
How to Use Each, Every, and All
Follow these simple steps whenever you write or speak.
- Ask yourself: individual or group? If you are thinking about members one at a time, choose each or every. If you mean the whole group together, choose all.
- Check the number of items. For exactly two, use each (never every). For three or more, both each and every work. Example: Each of my two hands ✅, Every of my two hands ❌.
- Choose the verb. After each and every, use a singular verb (is, has, goes, wants). After all + plural noun, use a plural verb (are, have, go, want).
- Watch the noun after “of.” With each of and every one of, the noun is plural, but the verb stays singular: Each of the rooms is clean.
- Decide on tone. Every sounds more general and formal; each sounds more personal and specific. All is neutral and simply means the total.
Examples in Sentences
- Each student receives a certificate.
- Each of the cakes tastes delicious.
- My sisters each have a different hobby. (Each after a plural subject keeps the plural verb.)
- Every child needs love and attention.
- Every one of the windows was broken.
- All the guests were dancing at midnight.
- All of my friends live nearby.
- All the milk has gone sour.
- Each and every employee is responsible for safety.
- The teacher gave the class two minutes each to answer.
- Every time I call, the line is busy.
- All that glitters is not gold.
Common Mistakes
Here are the errors ESL learners make most often with these words.
- Mistake 1: Plural verb after each or every.
❌ Each student are ready.
✅ Each student is ready. - Mistake 2: Using every with two items.
❌ Every of my parents is kind.
✅ Each of my parents is kind. - Mistake 3: Singular verb after all + plural noun.
❌ All the books is on the shelf.
✅ All the books are on the shelf. - Mistake 4: Using every as a pronoun.
❌ Every of them was late.
✅ Every one of them was late. - Mistake 5: Wrong pronoun after each or every.
❌ Every student must bring their books and his pen. (mixed)
✅ Every student must bring their book. (or his or her book)
Quick Summary
- Each = one by one, two or more, singular verb.
- Every = one by one, three or more, singular verb, never a pronoun alone.
- All = the whole group, plural verb with countable nouns, singular verb with uncountable nouns.
- After each of and every one of, the noun is plural but the verb is singular.
- Use their or his or her for pronoun agreement.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
- Each of the boys ______ (have) a bicycle.
- Every student in the class ______ (be) excited about the trip.
- All the chairs ______ (need) to be cleaned.
- All the information ______ (be) correct.
- Each and every member ______ (want) to help.
Answers:
- has
- is
- need
- is
- wants
Conclusion
Choosing between each, every, and all comes down to one question: are you talking about members one by one, or the whole group together? Keep the singular–plural agreement rules in mind, and your sentences will sound natural every time.
FAQ
1. Is “each” always singular?
Yes, when each is the subject, it always takes a singular verb, even when it is followed by a plural noun: Each of the students is present. However, when each comes after a plural subject, the verb stays plural: They each have a plan.
2. Can I use “every” with only two things?
No. Every needs three or more items because it refers to a whole group with no exceptions. For two items, use each: Each of my two brothers is tall. Saying every of my two brothers is incorrect.
3. Why do we say “All the students are” but “All the water is”?
It depends on whether the noun is countable or uncountable. Students is a plural countable noun, so it takes a plural verb (are). Water is uncountable, so it takes a singular verb (is). The word all itself does not change; the noun controls the verb.
4. Should I write “each student has their book” or “each student has his or her book”?
Both are acceptable today. The singular they/their is widely used in modern English, especially in informal and neutral contexts. His or her is more formal and traditional. Avoid mixing them in the same sentence, which is a common error.
