Introduction
Do you ever stop mid-sentence and wonder whether to say “Each student is ready” or “Each student are ready”? You are not alone. The words each, every, and all look simple, but they follow very different grammar rules about singular and plural agreement. Getting them right makes your English sound natural and precise, 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 words: they talk about members of a group one by one. All refers to the whole group together. The key difference is this: 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 new.” Each focuses on members individually.
- Every + singular noun + singular verb. “Every child loves games.” Every treats the group as a whole 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 has a bag.”
- Every one of + plural noun + singular verb. “Every one of the cakes was eaten.”
- Each can be used for two things; every needs three or more. “Each hand” (two) is fine, but “every hand” sounds odd for just two.
- All of + pronoun + plural verb. “All of them were late.”
- Each and every together is possible for emphasis but still takes a singular verb. “Each and every member needs to sign.”
- Pronoun agreement: after each/every, use singular pronouns like his or her, its, or their (informal modern usage).
How to Use It
Follow these steps whenever you choose between the three words:
- Decide on the meaning. Do you mean members one by one (each/every) or the whole group (all)?
- Check the number of items. Two items? Use each. Three or more? Each or every both work.
- Match the verb. Each/every = singular verb. All (countable) = plural verb.
- Watch the noun after “of.” “Each of the students” (plural noun) still takes a singular verb: is.
- Add emphasis naturally. Use every single or each and every when you want strong emphasis.
For example: “Each player gets a turn” (one by one, singular). “Every player wants to win” (whole group, singular). “All the players are excited” (whole group, plural).
Examples in Sentences
- Each student has a notebook.
- Each of the rooms is clean.
- Every morning, she drinks coffee.
- Every one of the answers was correct.
- All the children are playing outside.
- All of the milk is fresh.
- Each hand holds a pencil. (two hands)
- Every city in the country has a library.
- All of us were surprised.
- Each and every employee needs a badge.
- Every dog loves a good walk.
- All the tickets have been sold.
Common Mistakes
❌ Each students are ready.
✅ Each student is ready. (Each takes a singular noun and verb.)
❌ Every of the boys has a ball.
✅ Every one of the boys has a ball. (Use “every one of,” not “every of.”)
❌ All the water are cold.
✅ All the water is cold. (Uncountable nouns take a singular verb.)
❌ Each of the girls have a phone.
✅ Each of the girls has a phone. (The verb agrees with “each,” not “girls.”)
❌ Every hands are clean.
✅ Every hand is clean. (Every needs a singular noun.)
Quick Summary
- Each = one by one; singular verb; works for two or more.
- Every = whole group treated individually; singular verb; three or more.
- All = the whole group; plural verb for countable nouns, singular for uncountable.
- “Each of / every one of + plural noun” still takes a singular verb.
- Use each and every for strong emphasis.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct verb form (is/are/has/have).
- Each of the students ______ a textbook.
- All the cookies ______ gone.
- Every child ______ a favourite toy.
- All of the water ______ cold.
- Each boy and girl ______ a name tag.
Answers: 1. has 2. are 3. has 4. is 5. has
Conclusion
The rule to remember is simple: each and every are singular, while all is usually plural. Once you practise these patterns, choosing the right verb becomes automatic. Keep using them in your own sentences, and your English will sound more accurate and natural every day.
FAQ
1. Is “each” always singular?
Yes. Even when “each” is followed by “of the + plural noun,” the verb stays singular: “Each of the books is new.” The subject is “each,” not “books.”
2. What is the difference between “each” and “every”?
Both are singular, but “each” stresses members individually and works for two or more, while “every” treats the group as a whole and needs three or more items. “Each” is also more common with a specific, small group.
3. Does “all” take a singular or plural verb?
It depends on the noun. With countable plural nouns, use a plural verb: “All the students are here.” With uncountable nouns, use a singular verb: “All the water is gone.”
4. Can I say “every of the students”?
No. Use “every one of the students” instead. “Every” cannot stand alone before “of”; it needs a singular noun directly after it (“every student”) or “every one of” before a plural noun.