Introduction
Do you ever stop mid-sentence because you’re not sure whether to say “Each student has” or “Each student have“? You’re not alone. The words each, every, and all look simple, but they behave very differently when it comes to verb agreement and meaning. Getting them right makes your English sound more accurate and more natural, so let’s break them down clearly.
What Are ‘Each’, ‘Every’, and ‘All’?
Each, every, and all are quantifiers — words that tell us how much or how many. Each and every are distributive: they talk about members of a group one by one. All treats the group as a whole. The key difference is that each and every take a singular verb, while all takes a plural verb when it refers to countable things.
Rules
- Each + singular noun + singular verb. “Each book is on the shelf.” Each focuses on individuals, one at a time.
- Every + singular noun + singular verb. “Every student has a laptop.” Every describes the whole group but still uses a singular verb.
- All + plural noun + plural verb (for countable nouns). “All the students are here.”
- All + uncountable noun + singular verb. “All the water is gone.”
- Each of + plural noun/pronoun + singular verb. “Each of the boys plays football.”
- Every cannot be used for only two things — use each instead. “Each of my two hands” ✅, “Every of my two hands” ❌.
- Each can stand alone as a pronoun; every cannot. “Each has a name” ✅, “Every has a name” ❌.
- Use each for emphasis on individuality, every for emphasis on the group as a complete set, and all for the total amount.
How to Use It
Follow these steps whenever you choose between the three words:
- Decide the meaning. Are you thinking of members separately (each), the whole group as a set (every), or the total (all)?
- Check the noun. Singular countable noun → each/every. Plural countable noun → all. Uncountable noun → all + singular verb.
- Match the verb. Each/every = singular verb (is, has, goes). All = plural verb for countable nouns (are, have, go).
- Watch pronouns. After each/every, use singular pronouns in formal writing: “Every student must bring his or her book.” In everyday speech, “their” is common.
- Read it aloud. If it sounds off, check agreement again.
Examples in Sentences
- Each child receives a certificate.
- Each of the rooms has its own bathroom.
- Every employee must wear a badge.
- Every one of the answers was correct.
- All the guests are waiting outside.
- All of the milk is fresh.
- Each student works at his or her own pace.
- Every morning, she drinks a cup of tea.
- All my friends live nearby.
- Each of us has a different opinion.
- Every seat was taken.
- All the information is on the website.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Plural verb after each/every.
❌ Each student have a book.
✅ Each student has a book.
Mistake 2: Singular verb after all (countable).
❌ All the boys is here.
✅ All the boys are here.
Mistake 3: Using every for two things.
❌ I painted every of my two hands.
✅ I painted each of my two hands.
Mistake 4: Using every as a pronoun.
❌ Every was invited.
✅ Everyone was invited. / Each was invited.
Mistake 5: Wrong verb with ‘each of’.
❌ Each of the girls play tennis.
✅ Each of the girls plays tennis.
Quick Summary
- Each = one by one, singular verb, works for two or more, can be a pronoun.
- Every = whole group, singular verb, three or more, never a pronoun.
- All = total group; plural verb with countable nouns, singular verb with uncountable nouns.
- After each of / every one of, use a singular verb.
- Use each to stress individuality and every to stress completeness.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with each, every, or all and choose the correct verb form.
- _____ of the students (has / have) a notebook.
- _____ the children (is / are) playing outside.
- _____ morning, he (walk / walks) to work.
- _____ of the water (is / are) cold.
- _____ my friends (live / lives) in London.
Answers: 1. Each of the students has a notebook. 2. All the children are playing outside. 3. Every morning, he walks to work. 4. All of the water is cold. 5. All my friends live in London.
Conclusion
The difference between each, every, and all comes down to meaning and agreement: each and every are singular and distributive, while all is plural with countable nouns. Practise these patterns daily, and soon the correct verb will come naturally. Your writing will sound more precise and more professional.
FAQ
1. Is ‘each’ singular or plural?
Each is grammatically singular. It takes a singular verb: “Each book is new.” Even when followed by “of + plural noun,” the verb stays singular: “Each of the books is new.”
2. Can I use ‘every’ with a plural noun?
No. Every is always followed by a singular noun: “every day,” “every student.” For plural nouns, use all: “all the students.”
3. What is the difference between ‘each’ and ‘every’?
Each focuses on members individually and can be used for two or more. Every views the group as a complete set and needs three or more. Compare: “Each of my two sisters” ✅ but “Every of my two sisters” ❌.
4. Does ‘all’ always take a plural verb?
No. All takes a plural verb with countable nouns (“All the books are here”) but a singular verb with uncountable nouns (“All the water is cold”).