Introduction
Do you ever pause mid-sentence, wondering whether to say each or every? You are not alone. Even advanced English learners often confuse these two tiny but powerful words. The good news? Once you understand the core difference—individual versus group emphasis—everything clicks into place. In this guide, you will learn the rules, avoid common traps, and practice with 25 real-life examples.
What Is Each vs Every?
Both each and every are quantifiers that refer to all members of a group. However, they focus on the group differently:
- Each sees the group as separate individuals—one by one.
- Every sees the group as a single, unified whole—all together.
Think of it this way: if you look at a row of five apples, each apple is one distinct fruit, while every apple refers to the entire row as a complete set. This subtle shift in perspective changes which word you choose.
Rules
Here are the golden rules for using each and every correctly:
- Use ‘each’ when the group has two or more members. Example: “She held a book in each hand.” (Two hands.)
- Use ‘every’ when the group has three or more members. Example: “He visits his parents every weekend.” (More than two weekends.)
- Use ‘each’ before singular countable nouns. Example: “Each student received a certificate.”
- Use ‘every’ before singular countable nouns too, but never before uncountable nouns. Example: “I drink water every day.” (Not “every water.”)
- Use ‘every’ with time expressions like every day, every week, every year. Example: “She goes jogging every morning.”
- Use ‘each’ when you want to distribute items individually. Example: “The teacher gave each child a sticker.”
- Use ‘every’ with almost, nearly, and practically for emphasis. Example: “Almost every student passed the exam.”
- Use ‘each’ with ‘of’ + plural pronoun or noun. Example: “Each of the players scored a goal.” (Not “every of.”)
- Use ‘every’ with singular verbs. Example: “Every car has four wheels.” (Not “have.”)
- Use ‘each’ with singular verbs too, but it can also appear after a plural subject. Example: “The students each have a laptop.” (Here, the verb agrees with “students.”)
How to Use It
Follow this simple three-step method to choose correctly every time:
- Ask: How many items are in the group? If two, use “each.” If three or more, you can use either—but your emphasis will differ.
- Ask: Do I want to highlight the individuals or the whole group? If you are picturing people or things acting one by one, use “each.” If you are picturing everyone together sharing the same experience, use “every.”
- Check your grammar structure. Use “each of” + plural noun/pronoun. Use “every” + singular noun (never “every of”). Use singular verbs with both, except in the “each after plural subject” pattern.
Let me show you this in action:
Each flower in the garden has a different colour. (You are thinking about one flower at a time.)
Every flower in the garden has a different colour. (You are thinking about the whole garden as a colourful collection.)
Both sentences are grammatically correct. The difference is purely about emphasis.
Examples in Sentences
Here are 15 sentences that show each and every in real contexts. Notice how the bolded words change the feeling of the sentence:
- Each employee must complete the safety training individually.
- Every employee attended the meeting yesterday.
- The coach spoke to each player after the match.
- Every player on the team received a medal.
- She checks her email each morning before breakfast.
- He drinks coffee every single morning.
- Each of the candidates gave a short speech.
- Nearly every house on the street has a garden.
- They saved money each month for their holiday.
- The bakery sells fresh bread every day.
- You must answer each question carefully.
- Every question on the test was difficult.
- The twins have a room on each side of the hallway.
- We meet every Friday for lunch.
- The students each brought their own lunch.
Common Mistakes
Even experienced learners make these errors. Avoid them and you will sound much more natural:
- Mistake 1: Using ‘every’ with two items.
❌ “She wore a ring on every finger.” (If she has only two fingers visible—unlikely! But grammatically, for exactly two, use “each.”)
✅ “She wore a ring on each finger.” - Mistake 2: Saying ‘every of’.
❌ “Every of the students passed.”
✅ “Each of the students passed.” (Use “each of,” never “every of.”) - Mistake 3: Using a plural verb with ‘every’.
❌ “Every child are unique.”
✅ “Every child is unique.” (Singular subject, singular verb.) - Mistake 4: Using ‘each’ with uncountable nouns.
❌ “Each water tastes different.”
✅ “Every drop of water tastes different.” Or “Each glass of water tastes different.” (Use countable units.) - Mistake 5: Forgetting ‘each’ can follow a plural subject.
❌ “They each has a ticket.”
✅ “They each have a ticket.” (When “each” comes after a plural subject, the verb agrees with the subject.)
Quick Summary
- Each = individual focus, works with two or more.
- Every = group focus, works with three or more.
- Both take singular verbs.
- Use each of + plural noun/pronoun.
- Never use every of.
- Use every with time expressions (every day, every week).
- Use each for distribution (each person gets one).
- After a plural subject, “each” takes a plural verb (They each have).
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with each or every. Answers are below—no peeking!
- ___________ of the recipes requires fresh tomatoes.
- She calls her mother ___________ Sunday.
- The two sisters have a bicycle ___________.
- Almost ___________ student in the class passed.
- They ___________ received a bonus this year.
Answers:
- Each (because “each of” is the correct structure).
- Every (time expression with three or more Sundays).
- Each (two sisters—two items).
- Every (with “almost” for group emphasis).
- Each (after plural subject “they,” use “each” with plural verb “received”).
Conclusion
Understanding each vs every is not about memorising endless rules—it is about choosing your perspective. Use each to spotlight the individual, and every to embrace the whole group. Practice with the examples above, and soon you will make the right choice automatically. Keep practicing, and your English will shine!
FAQ
1. Can I use ‘each’ and ‘every’ interchangeably?
Sometimes yes, but not always. In sentences like “Each/Every student passed,” both are correct and the meaning is nearly identical. However, you cannot use “every” with two items, and you cannot say “every of.” Also, “each” is preferred when distributing items individually. So while they overlap, they are not perfect synonyms.
2. Is ‘everyone’ the same as ‘every one’?
No, they are different. Everyone is a single word meaning “all people” (e.g., “Everyone is here”). Every one is two words meaning “each individual thing or person in a group” (e.g., “Every one of the cookies was eaten”). The same rule applies to “anyone” vs “any one.”
3. Do I say ‘each of them is’ or ‘each of them are’?
Use the singular verb: “Each of them is ready.” Even though “them” is plural, the subject of the sentence is “each,” which is singular. This is a common grammar trap, but the rule is firm: “each of + plural” takes a singular verb.
4. Can I use ‘every’ with plural nouns?
No. Every must be followed by a singular countable noun. You cannot say “every students.” Instead, say “every student” or “all students.” If you want to use a plural noun, switch to “all” or “each of the + plural” (e.g., “each of the students”).