Introduction
Do you ever stop mid-sentence, wondering whether to say each or every? You are not alone. These two little words look similar and often feel interchangeable, but they carry slightly different meanings that native speakers notice. Understanding each vs every helps you sound more precise, natural, and confident in everyday English.
What Is Each vs Every?
Each and every are both quantifiers. We use them with singular countable nouns to talk about all the members of a group, one by one. The key difference is focus. Each highlights individual members separately, while every highlights the whole group as a single unit. Think of each as a spotlight on one person at a time, and every as a wide camera shot of the entire group.
For example, “Each student received a certificate” suggests we are picturing students one at a time. “Every student received a certificate” suggests we are thinking of the whole class together. Both are correct, but the feeling is different.
Rules
- Use a singular noun after both words. Say “each book” and “every book,” never “each books” or “every books.”
- Use a singular verb. “Each player is ready” and “Every player is ready,” not “are ready.”
- Use “each” for individual focus. Choose each when you want to emphasise members separately, especially in small or specific groups.
- Use “every” for group unity. Choose every when you want to talk about all members together as a whole, often in larger or general groups.
- “Each” can be a pronoun; “every” cannot. You can say “Each of them was late,” but you cannot say “Every of them was late.” Use “Every one of them was late” instead.
- “Each” works for two items; “every” needs three or more. “Each hand” is fine, but “every hand” sounds odd because there are only two.
- Both can take “of” with a plural noun or pronoun. “Each of the students” and “Every one of the students” are correct.
- Position matters. “Each” and “every” usually come before the noun, but “each” can also follow a plural subject: “The students each received a prize.”
How to Use It
Follow these simple steps to choose the right word every time.
- Ask yourself: am I thinking of members separately or together? If separately, use each. If together, use every.
- Check the number of items. If there are only two, use each. If there are three or more, either word can work.
- Check the noun. Make sure it is singular and countable: “each child,” “every child.”
- Match the verb. Use a singular verb: “Each child plays,” “Every child plays.”
- Decide if you need a pronoun. If you want to use the word alone as a subject, choose each: “Each was wrapped in paper.”
Here is a quick example. Imagine you are a teacher. You might say, “I spoke to each student about their progress,” because you had individual conversations. But you might say, “Every student passed the exam,” because you are talking about the group result.
Examples in Sentences
- Each of the twins has a different personality.
- Every seat in the theatre was taken.
- She gave each guest a small gift.
- He checks his email every morning.
- Each student received a personal feedback sheet.
- Every student in the school wears a uniform.
- The teacher spoke to each of us individually.
- Every house on the street has a garden.
- I visit my grandmother every Sunday.
- Each of the two candidates gave a speech.
- The children each brought a snack to share.
- Every one of the players was exhausted after the match.
Common Mistakes
- Using a plural noun.
❌ Each students have a book.
✅ Each student has a book. - Using a plural verb.
❌ Every child are happy.
✅ Every child is happy. - Using “every” as a pronoun.
❌ Every of them was invited.
✅ Every one of them was invited. / Each of them was invited. - Using “every” for two items.
❌ She wore a ring on every hand.
✅ She wore a ring on each hand. - Confusing “each” with “all.”
❌ Each of the students were present.
✅ All of the students were present. / Each of the students was present.
Quick Summary
- Each = individual focus, one at a time.
- Every = group unity, all together.
- Both take a singular countable noun and a singular verb.
- Each works with two or more items; every needs three or more.
- Each can be a pronoun; every cannot.
- Use each of and every one of before plural nouns or pronouns.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blank with each or every. Then check your answers below.
- ______ student in the class passed the test.
- She gave ______ of her two brothers a call.
- ______ morning, I drink a cup of coffee.
- ______ of the employees received a bonus.
- He plays football ______ weekend.
Answers:
- Every (or Each — both are correct, but “every” emphasises the whole class)
- each (only two brothers)
- Every (routine, whole group of mornings)
- Each (individual focus, pronoun use)
- every (routine, repeated event)
Conclusion
Mastering each vs every is really about understanding focus. Use each when you want to highlight individuals one by one, and every when you want to talk about a group as a whole. With a little practice, choosing the right word will become automatic, and your English will sound more natural and precise.
FAQ
1. Can I use “each” and “every” interchangeably?
Sometimes, yes. In many sentences, both words are grammatically correct and the meaning is almost the same. For example, “Each student passed” and “Every student passed” are both fine. However, the focus is different. “Each” stresses individuals separately, while “every” stresses the group together. If you want to be precise, choose based on your intended focus.
2. Why do we say “each of them” but not “every of them”?
“Each” can function as a pronoun, so it can stand alone before “of”: “each of them,” “each of the books.” “Every” is only a determiner, so it must be followed by a noun. That is why we say “every one of them” or “every student,” but never “every of them.”
3. Is “every” always followed by a singular verb?
Yes. Even though “every” refers to a whole group, it is grammatically singular. We say “Every child is here,” not “Every child are here.” The same rule applies to “each”: “Each child is here.”
4. Can “each” come after the subject?
Yes. “Each” can appear after a plural subject for emphasis: “The students each received a certificate.” In this position, the verb stays plural because the subject is plural. This pattern is common in formal and academic writing.
5. Does “every” always mean “all”?
Not exactly. “Every” means “all members of a group considered individually but as a complete set.” It is close to “all,” but “all” can be used with plural nouns and verbs (“All students are here”), while “every” needs a singular noun and verb (“Every student is here”).