Introduction
Words like each, every, and all look simple, but they cause real confusion for English learners. They all talk about groups of people or things, yet they behave differently in sentences, especially with verbs and pronouns. Getting these words right makes your English sound more natural and more accurate.
What Is Distributive Meaning?
Distributive meaning means you think about the members of a group one by one, not as a single unit. When you say each student or every student, you are focusing on individual members of the group. When you say all students, you are focusing on the group as a whole. Understanding this difference is the key to choosing the right word and the right verb form.
Rules
- Each refers to members of a group individually. It works with two or more items and is common with small, specific groups: each of my two brothers.
- Every refers to members of a group as individuals but as a complete set. It needs three or more items and is common with large or general groups: every student in the school.
- All refers to the group as a whole. It works with plural countable nouns (all books) and uncountable nouns (all water).
- Each and every take a singular verb: Each child is ready. Every child is ready.
- All with a plural noun takes a plural verb: All children are ready. With an uncountable noun, it takes a singular verb: All the water is gone.
- Use each of + plural noun/pronoun with a singular verb: Each of the students has a book.
- Use every + singular noun (never every of): Every student needs a pen.
- For pronouns, each and every are traditionally singular, but informal English often uses they: Each student should bring their book.
How to Use It
Follow these steps to choose the right word every time:
- Ask: am I thinking one by one or as a whole? One by one → each or every. As a whole → all.
- Check the number. Two items → each (not every). Three or more → each or every.
- Check the noun. Singular countable noun → each or every. Plural or uncountable noun → all.
- Match the verb. Each/Every + singular noun + singular verb. All + plural noun + plural verb.
- Place it correctly. Each of the boys, every boy, all the boys, all boys.
Example: Each of the two sisters has a car. (two items, individual focus, singular verb). Every student in the class is here. (large group, individual focus, singular verb). All the students are here. (whole group, plural verb).
Examples in Sentences
- Each player on the team has a number.
- Each of the two candidates was interviewed.
- Every house on the street looks the same.
- Every student needs to register before Friday.
- All the tickets were sold in an hour.
- All of the milk is in the fridge.
- Each of the students has a locker.
- Every morning, she drinks a glass of water.
- All children love stories.
- Each child received a small gift.
- Every employee must wear a badge.
- All of us are ready to help.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ Every of the students passed.
✅ Every student passed. / Each of the students passed. - ❌ Each students have a book.
✅ Each student has a book. - ❌ All student is here.
✅ All students are here. - ❌ Each of the boys are late.
✅ Each of the boys is late. - ❌ I gave every my friend a call.
✅ I gave each of my friends a call. / I called all my friends.
Quick Summary
- Each = individual focus, two or more, singular verb.
- Every = individual focus, three or more, singular verb.
- All = whole group, plural or uncountable noun.
- Each of / Every + singular noun → singular verb.
- All + plural noun → plural verb; all + uncountable → singular verb.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blank with each, every, or all:
- ____ student in the class received a certificate.
- ____ of the two brothers plays guitar.
- ____ the books on the shelf are new.
- ____ of the water in the bottle is frozen.
- ____ child needs love and attention.
Answers: 1. Every 2. Each 3. All 4. All 5. Every (or Each)
Conclusion
Choosing between each, every, and all comes down to one question: are you thinking one by one or as a whole? Once you know that, the verb agreement follows naturally. Practise the examples above, and these little words will stop being little problems.
FAQ
Can I use “each” and “every” interchangeably?
Often, yes, especially with singular nouns and singular verbs: Each student has a book and Every student has a book are both correct. But each is better for small, specific groups (especially two), while every is better for large or general groups. Also, each of is common, but every of is never correct.
Is “each” singular or plural?
Each is grammatically singular and takes a singular verb: Each of the boys is here. For pronouns, formal English uses he/she, but modern informal English accepts they: Each student should bring their notebook.
Why is “all students is” wrong?
Because all + plural noun is plural, so the verb must be plural: All students are here. Only all + uncountable noun takes a singular verb: All the water is cold.
Can “every” be used with two things?
No. Every needs three or more items. For two items, use each: Each of my two sisters lives abroad (not every of my two sisters).
