Each vs Every: The Definitive Grammar Guide for ESL Learners

Introduction

Do you ever stop mid-sentence, wondering whether to say “each student” or “every student”? You are not alone. This tiny choice trips up millions of English learners, yet mastering it makes your speech sound noticeably more natural and precise. In this guide, we will break down the difference between each and every so you can use both with confidence.

What Is the Difference Between Each and Every?

Both each and every are determiners that come before a singular noun, and both refer to all members of a group. The key difference lies in focus. Each emphasises members one by one, as separate individuals. Every emphasises 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 angle showing the whole crowd.

Rules

1. Use a singular noun after both words. Say “each child” and “every child,” never “each children” or “every children.”
2. Use a singular verb in formal writing. “Each student is ready” and “Every student is ready” are both correct.
3. Use “each” for two items; use “every” for three or more. You can say “each of my two hands,” but “every of my two hands” is wrong.
4. Use “each” when you think of members separately. “Each employee received a personal email” stresses individual treatment.
5. Use “every” when you think of the group as a whole. “Every employee received the same email” stresses total coverage.
6. “Each” can stand alone as a pronoun; “every” cannot. “Each has a name tag” is fine, but “Every has a name tag” is not.
7. Use “each of” and “every one of” before plural nouns and pronouns. “Each of the boys” and “every one of the boys” are correct, but “every of the boys” is wrong.
8. Place “each” after a plural subject for apposition. “The players each wore a red shirt” is correct and common.

How to Use Each and Every

Follow these steps whenever you are unsure which word to choose.

1. Ask yourself: am I thinking of individuals or a whole group? If you picture people one at a time, choose each. If you picture the entire group at once, choose every.
2. Check the number of items. If there are exactly two, use each. If there are three or more, either word can work.
3. Match the noun and verb. Use a singular countable noun and, in formal English, a singular verb: “Each book is heavy.”
4. Decide if you need a pronoun. If the word must stand alone as the subject, use each: “Each was wrapped in gold paper.”
5. Use “of” constructions carefully. Write “each of the students” or “every one of the students,” never “every of the students.”

Examples in Sentences

• Each of the twins has a different personality.
• Every seat in the theatre was taken.
• The teacher gave each student individual feedback.
• The teacher gave every student the same worksheet.
• Each player shook hands with the captain before the match.
• Every player on the team trained for three hours.
• I visit my grandmother every Sunday.
• My two sisters each sent me a birthday card.
• Each of the recipes takes less than twenty minutes.
• Every one of the recipes was delicious.
• Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
• She checks every detail before sending a report.
• The students each received a certificate at the ceremony.

Common Mistakes

• Using a plural noun after each or every.
  ❌ Each students must bring a notebook.
  ✅ Each student must bring a notebook.
• Using “every” with only two items.
  ❌ Every of my two brothers lives abroad.
  ✅ Each of my two brothers lives abroad.
• Writing “every of” instead of “every one of.”
  ❌ Every of the guests arrived early.
  ✅ Every one of the guests arrived early.
• Using “every” as a standalone pronoun.
  ❌ Every was invited to the party.
  ✅ Each was invited to the party. / Everyone was invited to the party.
• Mixing a plural verb with each or every in formal writing.
  ❌ Each of the employees have a key card.
  ✅ Each of the employees has a key card.

Quick Summary

• Each = one by one, individual focus.
• Every = all together, group focus with no exceptions.
• Both take a singular countable noun: each book, every book.
• Use each for exactly two items, never every.
• Each can be a pronoun; every cannot.
• Say each of and every one of, never every of.
• Formal writing prefers a singular verb after both words.

Practice Exercises

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

1. ___ of my two cousins plays the guitar.
2. She waters the plants ___ morning before work.
3. ___ one of the runners finished the marathon.
4. The children ___ received a small gift.
5. ___ of the houses on this street has a garden.

Answers:

1. Each (two items)
2. every (routine covering all mornings)
3. Every (fixed phrase “every one of”)
4. each (individual focus, placed after the plural subject)
5. Each (individual focus with “of” + plural noun)

Conclusion

Choosing between each and every comes down to one simple question: are you highlighting individuals or the whole group? Keep that focus in mind, remember the singular noun rule, and these two words will stop being a headache and start being a useful tool. With a little practice, you will choose the right one automatically.

FAQ

Can I use “each” and “every” with plural nouns?

Not directly. Both words must be followed by a singular countable noun: each child, every child. However, you can use them with plural nouns in “of” structures: each of the children and every one of the children. Notice that every needs the word one before of, while each does not.

Is “each” always followed by a singular verb?

In formal and exam English, yes. “Each student is responsible” is correct. In everyday conversation, some native speakers say “each of the students are,” but this is considered informal and is often marked wrong in tests. When in doubt, use the singular verb, especially in writing.

What is the difference between “every” and “everyone”?

Every is a determiner and must be followed by a noun: every person, every day. Everyone is a pronoun and stands alone as the subject: Everyone enjoyed the trip. You cannot say “Every enjoyed the trip.” If you need a standalone word, use everyone or each, not every.

Does “each” ever come after the subject?

Yes. When each refers back to a plural subject, it can move after the subject or after an auxiliary verb: The students each received a certificate, or They have each finished their work. This pattern adds emphasis on individual action within a group, and it is very common in both speech and writing.