Introduction
Few grammar points confuse English learners as much as choosing between each, every, and all. These three little words look similar and often translate to the same idea in other languages, but they follow different grammar rules. Getting them right will make your writing clearer, more natural, and more accurate — especially when it comes to subject-verb agreement.
What Is Distributive Meaning?
When we talk about a group of people or things, we can either treat them as one whole unit or separate them into individual members. Distributive meaning means thinking about the members of a group one by one. The words each and every both have a distributive meaning, while all refers to the group as a complete unit. In simple terms: each = members seen separately; every = all members seen together but still counted individually; all = the whole group as one.
Rules
- Each + singular noun, singular verb. “Each student has a book.” It refers to two or more items, considered one at a time.
- Every + singular noun, singular verb. “Every student has a book.” It refers to three or more items (never two) and emphasises the whole group without exceptions.
- All + plural noun, plural verb. “All students have a book.” It refers to the entire group as one unit.
- Each can be used for two items; every needs three or more. “Each of my two hands” is correct; “every of my two hands” is not.
- Each of / Every one of + plural noun or pronoun + singular verb. “Each of the boys is ready.” “Every one of the boys is ready.”
- Each can stand alone as a pronoun; every cannot. “The cakes cost $5 each.” (Not: “$5 every.”)
- All can be followed by a determiner (the, my, these). “All the students passed.” Each and every cannot: not “each the student.” Use “each of the students.”
- All + uncountable noun uses a singular verb. “All the water is gone.”
- Every can express frequency with time words. “He calls every day.” Each day is also possible but sounds more individual.
- Position matters. Each and all can appear after the subject or at the end of a clause: “They each received a prize.” “We all agree.”
How to Use It
Follow these steps to choose the right word every time:
- Ask: am I separating the group or treating it as a whole? If you see members individually, use each or every. If you see the group as one, use all.
- Count the group. Two items? Only each works. Three or more? Each or every both work.
- Check the noun. Singular noun after each/every (each book, every book). Plural noun after all (all books).
- Match the verb. Singular verb after each/every and after “each of / every one of.” Plural verb after all + plural noun.
- Check the position. Use each/all after a pronoun subject for emphasis: “We each paid $10.” “They all left early.”
For example, imagine three friends and one pizza. “Each friend ate a slice” focuses on them one by one. “Every friend ate a slice” stresses there were no exceptions. “All the friends ate pizza” describes the group as a whole.
Examples in Sentences
- Each student received a certificate at the ceremony.
- Every child in the class passed the exam.
- All the students were happy with their results.
- Each of the twins has a different personality.
- Every one of the players is ready for the match.
- The tickets cost $20 each.
- She visits her grandmother every Sunday.
- All the information is on the website.
- We each brought something to the picnic.
- They all agreed with the plan.
- Each room has its own bathroom.
- Every seat in the theatre was taken.
- All my friends live in this city.
- I check my email every morning before breakfast.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using a plural verb after each or every.
❌ Each student have a notebook.
✅ Each student has a notebook.
Mistake 2: Using every for two items.
❌ She wore a ring on every hand.
✅ She wore a ring on each hand.
Mistake 3: Using each/every directly before the or my.
❌ Each the boy was given a prize.
✅ Each of the boys was given a prize. / All the boys were given prizes.
Mistake 4: Using a plural verb after “each of / every one of.”
❌ Each of the girls are wearing a red dress.
✅ Each of the girls is wearing a red dress.
Mistake 5: Using every as a pronoun.
❌ The apples cost one dollar every.
✅ The apples cost one dollar each.
Quick Summary
- Each = members one by one (two or more) + singular verb.
- Every = all members together, no exceptions (three or more) + singular verb.
- All = the whole group + plural verb (or singular with uncountable nouns).
- “Each of / every one of” + plural noun + singular verb.
- Only each can stand alone as a pronoun (“$5 each”).
- Each and all can follow the subject: “We each tried,” “They all laughed.”
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blank with each, every, or all.
- ______ of the two sisters has a bicycle.
- ______ the students in the school wear uniforms.
- ______ of the answers was correct.
- I go to the gym ______ Tuesday afternoon.
- ______ the milk in the fridge is fresh.
Answers:
- Each (two items, singular verb)
- All (plural group, “all the students wear”)
- Each (or Every one — “Each of the answers was”)
- Every (regular frequency)
- All (uncountable noun + singular verb)
Conclusion
Mastering each, every, and all comes down to one question: are you seeing the group member by member or as a whole? Remember the verb rules — singular after each/every, plural after all — and you will avoid the most common errors. Practise with the examples above, and these three words will soon feel natural in your English.
FAQ
1. Can I use “each” and “every” with the same meaning?
Often yes, but there is a small difference. Each emphasises members as individuals, while every emphasises the whole group with no exceptions. “Each student got a prize” focuses on students one by one; “Every student got a prize” stresses that nobody was left out. Also, every cannot be used for only two things, but each can.
2. Why do we say “each of the students is” and not “are”?
Because the true subject is each, which is singular. The phrase “of the students” is a prepositional phrase and does not change the verb. The same rule applies to “every one of the students is” and “none of the students is” in formal English.
3. Is “all” always followed by a plural verb?
No. All takes a plural verb with plural countable nouns (“All the books are new”) but a singular verb with uncountable nouns (“All the water is cold”). The verb must agree with the noun that follows “all.”
4. Can “every” ever be used as a pronoun on its own?
No. Every must be followed by a noun (“every day,” “every student”) or by “one of” (“every one of them”). If you need a pronoun, use each (“They cost $5 each”) or every one (“Every one was sold”).