Introduction
Do you ever pause mid-sentence, wondering whether to say “each student” or “every student”? You are not alone. These small words carry big grammatical weight, and choosing the wrong one can change your meaning or create an error. This guide will help you use each, every, and all with confidence in everyday English.
What Is the Difference Between Each, Every, and All?
Each, every, and all are quantifiers — words that tell us how much or how many. They all refer to groups, but they do it differently. Each focuses on members of a group one by one. Every also looks at members individually, but it treats the group as a whole. All refers to the entire group together, without separating the members. In short: each = one by one, every = all members as a complete set, all = the whole group at once.
Rules
- Each + singular noun + singular verb. Use each when you think of members separately: Each child receives a gift.
- Every + singular noun + singular verb. Use every for a whole group seen member by member: Every seat was taken.
- All + plural noun + plural verb (or all + uncountable noun + singular verb): All the students passed. / All the water is gone.
- Each works with two or more items; every needs three or more. Say each of my two brothers, but every one of my three brothers.
- Each can stand alone as a pronoun; every cannot. Correct: Each has a number. Incorrect: Every has a number.
- Use “each of” and “every one of” with plural nouns and singular verbs. Each of the girls is ready. / Every one of the girls is ready.
- All can be a pronoun, a determiner, or an adverb. All are welcome (pronoun), all students (determiner), all alone (adverb).
- For frequency, use “every” with time expressions. Every day, every week, every two hours — not each day in most natural contexts.
- Each and every can be combined for emphasis. Each and every employee must sign. The verb stays singular.
- Negative sentences prefer “all” or “every.” Not all birds can fly. / Not every bird can fly. “Not each” is rare and awkward.
How to Use It
Follow these steps whenever you are unsure which word to pick.
- Ask: am I thinking of members one by one, or the group as a whole? One by one → each or every. Whole group → all. Example: Each player got a medal (individually) vs. All the players cheered (together).
- Count the items. Only two items? Use each. Three or more? Each and every both work. Example: She wore a ring on each hand (two hands).
- Check the noun number. Each and every take singular nouns; all takes plural or uncountable nouns. Example: Every book / all books.
- Match the verb. Each and every → singular verb. All → plural verb (or singular with uncountable nouns). Example: Each student is here / All students are here.
- For frequency, choose “every.” Time phrases like every morning, every Friday, every ten minutes are standard. Example: I check my email every hour.
Examples in Sentences
- Each student received a certificate at the ceremony.
- Each of the twins has a different personality.
- She called each customer personally.
- Every room in the hotel has a sea view.
- Every morning, he walks to the station.
- Every one of the applicants was interviewed.
- All the tickets were sold within an hour.
- All of my friends live nearby.
- All the information was correct.
- Each and every member of the team contributed.
- I go to the gym every two days.
- The teacher spoke to each group separately.
- All flights were delayed because of the storm.
- Every child in the class passed the exam.
- Each of the rooms has its own bathroom.
Common Mistakes
- Wrong verb agreement with “each.”
❌ Each students have a book.
✅ Each student has a book. - Using “every” as a pronoun.
❌ Every was invited.
✅ Everyone was invited. / Every person was invited. - Using “all” with a singular countable noun.
❌ All student passed.
✅ All students passed. - Using “each” for frequency.
❌ I run each day.
✅ I run every day. - Using “every” for exactly two items.
❌ Every of my two hands hurt.
✅ Each of my hands hurts.
Quick Summary
- Each = members one by one; singular noun, singular verb; works with two or more items; can be a pronoun.
- Every = whole group seen member by member; singular noun, singular verb; needs three or more items; never a pronoun alone.
- All = the entire group together; plural or uncountable nouns; plural verb with countable nouns.
- Use every for frequency: every day, every week, every hour.
- Each and every adds emphasis and keeps a singular verb.
- In negative sentences, prefer all or every.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blank with each, every, or all.
- ___ student must bring a dictionary to class.
- She visits her grandmother ___ Sunday.
- ___ of the two brothers plays the guitar.
- ___ the cookies were eaten before dinner.
- He checks his phone ___ ten minutes.
Answers: 1. Each (or Every) 2. every 3. Each 4. All 5. every
Conclusion
Choosing between each, every, and all becomes easy once you decide whether you are thinking of members one by one or the group as a whole. Remember the verb agreement, the number of items, and the frequency pattern with every, and these small words will stop slowing you down. Practise with the examples above, and soon the right choice will feel natural.
FAQ
Can I use “each” and “every” interchangeably?
Often, yes — in many sentences both work: Each student passed / Every student passed. But there are limits. Use each when you focus on members individually or when there are exactly two items. Use every when you mean the whole group without exception, and for frequency phrases like every day. Also remember that each can stand alone as a pronoun (Each has a price), while every cannot.
Is “each” singular or plural?
Each is grammatically singular. It takes a singular noun and a singular verb: Each boy is here, Each of the girls has a ticket. Even though you may be talking about many people, the grammar treats them one at a time. This is why Each students have is incorrect and Each student has is correct.
Why do we say “every day” but not usually “each day”?
Every day is the standard frequency expression because every naturally describes repeated, complete cycles of time: every morning, every week, every year. Each day is not grammatically wrong and can appear when you mean days considered individually (Each day brings new challenges), but for simple frequency, every day is the natural choice.
What is the difference between “all” and “all of”?
Both are correct, but the pattern differs. Use all + noun without of when the noun is general: All students need rest. Use all of + the/my/these + noun when the noun is specific: All of the students passed, All of my friends came. With pronouns, always use of: All of us agreed — never All us agreed in standard English.