Each vs Every: The Definitive Grammar Guide for ESL

Introduction

Do you ever stop mid-sentence because you are not sure whether to say “each student” or “every student”? You are not alone. This small choice trips up millions of English learners, yet it appears constantly in everyday conversation, emails, and exams. Getting each and every right makes your English sound more natural and precise, so let’s break it down together.

What Is Each vs Every?

Each and every are both determiners that refer to all members of a group, but they do it in slightly different ways. We call this “distributive meaning” because both words distribute a statement across the individual members of a group.

Each focuses on the members one by one, as separate individuals. Every focuses on all the members together, as a complete group with no exceptions. Think of each as a spotlight on one person at a time, and every as a wide camera shot of the whole group.

Rules

1. Use “each” for small, specific groups. It works best when you can picture the individual members, usually two or more. Example: “Each of my three brothers lives in a different city.”
2. Use “every” for larger or general groups. It suggests all members without exception. Example: “Every player on the team trains hard.”
3. Both take singular verbs. This is the golden rule. “Each student is ready” and “Every student is ready” are both correct.
4. “Each” can stand alone as a pronoun; “every” cannot. You can say “Each of them was late,” but you must say “Every one of them was late” — never just “Every of them.”
5. “Each” can appear after the subject; “every” cannot. “They each received a prize” is fine, but “They every received a prize” is wrong.
6. “Every” pairs with “one of” and time expressions. We say “every one of the books” and “every day,” but not “each day” when we mean a repeated routine (though “each day” is possible for a specific set of days).
7. Use “almost” and “nearly” with “every,” not “each.” “Almost every student passed” sounds natural; “Almost each student passed” does not.

How to Use It

Follow these simple steps whenever you are choosing between the two words:

1. Identify the group. Is it small and specific (two, three, five people) or large and general (all students, every citizen)?
2. Decide your focus. Do you want to highlight individuals one by one? Use each. Do you want to talk about the whole group with no exceptions? Use every.
3. Check the verb. Both words take a singular verb: is, was, has, goes.
4. Check the position. If you want the word after the subject, use each: “The girls each wore a red dress.”
5. Check the pronoun. If you need a standalone word, use each or every one, never “every” alone.

Example thought process: “I want to say all my classmates passed the test.” Small, specific group? Yes, 20 people, but you want to stress no exceptions. Choose every: “Every classmate passed the test.”

Examples in Sentences

• Each of the twins has a different personality.
• Every child in the class received a certificate.
• The teacher gave each student a book.
• She visits her grandmother every Sunday.
• Each of us was responsible for one task.
• Every seat in the theatre was taken.
• They each paid for their own ticket.
• Every one of the applicants was interviewed.
• I spoke to each of the managers separately.
• Every student must bring a pencil.
• Each answer was checked twice.
• He calls his mother every day.

Common Mistakes

Here are the errors I see most often in ESL writing, with quick fixes:

• Plural verb after each/every.
  ❌ Each of the boys are here.
  ✅ Each of the boys is here.
• Using “every” as a standalone pronoun.
  ❌ Every of the cakes was delicious.
  ✅ Every one of the cakes was delicious.
• Putting “every” after the subject.
  ❌ The students every passed.
  ✅ The students each passed.
• Using “almost” with “each.”
  ❌ Almost each employee attended.
  ✅ Almost every employee attended.
• Mixing up “each” and “every” with two items.
  ❌ Every of my two hands was cold.
  ✅ Each of my two hands was cold. (Use “each” for exactly two.)

Quick Summary

• Each = one by one, individual focus; good for small, specific groups.
• Every = all together, no exceptions; good for large or general groups.
• Both take singular verbs.
• Each can be a pronoun and can follow the subject; every cannot.
• Use every one, not “every,” before “of.”
• Use each for exactly two items, every for three or more.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blank with each or every. Then check your answers below.

1. ______ of the two sisters has a pet cat.
2. ______ student in the school must wear a uniform.
3. The boys ______ received a medal.
4. She goes to the gym ______ morning.
5. I have read ______ one of these books.

Answers:

1. Each (exactly two)
2. Every (large, general group)
3. each (after the subject)
4. every (routine time expression)
5. every (with “one of”)

Conclusion

Mastering each and every is really about noticing whether you want to spotlight individuals or describe a whole group. Remember the singular verb rule and the position rules, and you will sound more natural in no time. Practice a little every day, and these two little words will become second nature.

FAQ

1. Can I use “each” and “every” interchangeably?

Often yes, but not always. In many sentences, the meaning is almost the same: “Each student passed” and “Every student passed” both work. However, “each” emphasises individuals one by one, while “every” emphasises the group as a whole. You must use “each” for exactly two items and after the subject, and you must use “every” with “almost” and “one of.”

2. Do “each” and “every” always take a singular verb?

Yes, when they are the subject or part of the subject, they take a singular verb: “Each of the players is ready,” “Every book was sold.” Be careful with “each of” and “every one of” — the verb still stays singular even though the noun after “of” is plural.

3. Why is “every of them” wrong?

Because “every” is a determiner, not a pronoun. It must be followed by a noun: “every student,” “every day.” When you need a standalone word before “of,” use “every one”: “Every one of them was invited.” “Each,” on the other hand, works as both a determiner and a pronoun, so “each of them” is perfectly correct.

4. Is “each” only for two things?

No. “Each” can be used for two or more items, but it is especially useful when the group is small or when you want to stress individuality. “Every” is never used for exactly two items, so with pairs, always choose “each”: “Each of my parents has a car,” not “Every of my parents.”