Introduction
Few grammar points confuse English learners as much as choosing between each, every, and all. These three little words look similar, but they change the meaning of a sentence in important ways. Getting them right helps you talk about groups, frequency, and distribution with confidence and accuracy.
What Is the Difference Between Each, Every, and All?
Each, every, and all are quantifiers that describe how we see a group of people or things. Each focuses on members one by one as individuals. Every focuses on all members together as a complete group, one by one in a general sense. All refers to the whole group as a single unit. In short: each = individually, every = without exception, all = the entire group.
Rules for Using Each, Every, and All
- Each + singular noun and singular verb. Use each when you think of members separately: Each student has a book.
- Every + singular noun and singular verb. Use every for all members of a group with no exceptions: Every child needs love. Every cannot be used for only two things.
- All + plural noun (or uncountable noun) and plural verb. Use all for the whole group together: All the students are here. All the water is gone.
- Each can be a pronoun; every cannot. You can say Each of them was tired or Each was tired, but never Every was tired. Every always needs a noun after it.
- Each of / every one of + plural noun + singular verb. Each of the boys is ready. Every one of the girls was late.
- Position with pronouns. Each and all can follow a subject pronoun: We each have a ticket. They all agreed. Every cannot do this.
- Frequency expressions. Use every with time words: every day, every week, every two hours. Do not say each day for general habits (it sounds more specific and individual).
- All with possessives and articles. Say all the students, all my friends, all of them — but not all of students without the.
How to Use Each, Every, and All: Step by Step
Step 1: Ask yourself — am I thinking of members separately, as a complete group, or as one whole unit?
- Separately, as individuals → each: Each player received a medal.
- The complete group, no exceptions → every: Every player trained hard.
- The whole group as one unit → all: All the players celebrated.
Step 2: Check the noun and verb. Each and every take singular nouns and verbs. All takes plural (or uncountable) nouns and plural verbs.
Step 3: Check the number. For exactly two things, use each, not every: Each of my two sisters called me.
Step 4: Decide if you need frequency. For repeated time expressions, use every: She visits every weekend.
Step 5: Read the sentence aloud. If it sounds like a general habit, every is usually best. If it sounds like a careful count, each fits better.
Examples in Sentences
- Each student received a certificate at the ceremony.
- Each of the rooms has its own bathroom.
- We each paid ten dollars for the tickets.
- Every employee must wear a badge in the building.
- She practices the piano every day after school.
- Every one of the answers was correct.
- All the students passed the final exam.
- All of my friends live in the same neighbourhood.
- They all agreed with the new plan.
- Each of my two brothers works in medicine.
- The teacher gave each child a small gift.
- Every house on the street has a garden.
- All the milk in the fridge has gone bad.
- The buses leave every ten minutes.
- Each player on the team trains differently.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using a plural verb after each or every.
❌ Each students have a book.
✅ Each student has a book.
Mistake 2: Using every for only two things.
❌ Every of my parents is a teacher.
✅ Each of my parents is a teacher.
Mistake 3: Using every as a pronoun without a noun.
❌ Every was invited to the party.
✅ Everyone was invited to the party. / Every guest was invited.
Mistake 4: Dropping the or a possessive after all of.
❌ All of students were tired.
✅ All of the students were tired.
Mistake 5: Using each for general frequency habits.
❌ I go to the gym each day. (possible, but unnatural for a habit)
✅ I go to the gym every day.
Quick Summary
- Each = members one by one, as individuals; singular noun + singular verb; works for two or more; can be a pronoun.
- Every = all members, no exceptions, general; singular noun + singular verb; three or more only; never a pronoun alone.
- All = the whole group as one unit; plural or uncountable noun + plural verb; can follow pronouns (we all).
- Use every for frequency: every day, every week, every two hours.
- Use each of / every one of + plural noun + singular verb.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blank with each, every, or all.
- ______ student in the class passed the test.
- ______ of my two best friends is coming tonight.
- She checks her email ______ morning.
- ______ the children were playing in the garden.
- ______ of the answers was written clearly.
Answers: 1. Every (or Each — both correct, but every is most natural for a whole class) 2. Each 3. every 4. All 5. Each (or Every one)
Conclusion
Choosing between each, every, and all is really about how you see a group: as individuals, as a complete set, or as one whole unit. Practice these rules in your own sentences, and soon the choice will feel natural. Small words make a big difference in clear English!
FAQ
1. Can I use “each” and “every” interchangeably?
Often, yes — Each student has a book and Every student has a book are both correct. The difference is emphasis: each highlights individuals separately, while every highlights the complete group without exceptions. However, they are not always interchangeable: every cannot be used for exactly two things, and every cannot stand alone as a pronoun.
2. Why do we say “every day” but not usually “each day”?
Every is the natural choice for frequency and regular habits because it expresses repetition without exception: every day, every week, every year. Each day is grammatically possible but sounds more individual and specific, as if you are counting days one at a time. For general habits, stick with every.
3. Is “all of them” or “all them” correct?
Use all of them before a pronoun. All them is incorrect. With nouns, you can say all the students or all of the students, but never all of students without the or a possessive word like my.
4. What verb form comes after “each of” and “every one of”?
Both take a plural noun but a singular verb: Each of the boys is here. Every one of the girls was ready. This surprises many learners, but the subject is really each or every one, which are singular.