Each vs Every vs All: Rules & 25 Examples

Introduction

Do you ever stop mid-sentence because you are not sure whether to say each, every, or all? You are not alone! These three little words confuse even advanced learners because they look similar but behave differently in grammar and meaning. In this guide, we will break down the rules, show you real examples, and help you use each one with confidence.

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 in different ways.

• Each means “one by one” — it focuses on individual members of a group. It is used with two or more items.
• Every means “all members of a group, without exception” — it focuses on the whole group but treats members as individuals. It is used with three or more items.
• All means “the entire group together” — it focuses on the group as a whole, not on individual members.

Think of it this way: each = one at a time, every = one and all, all = everyone together.

Rules for Using Each, Every, and All

1. Each is followed by a singular noun and a singular verb. Example: Each student has a book.
2. Every is followed by a singular noun and a singular verb. Example: Every child loves ice cream.
3. All is followed by a plural noun (or uncountable noun) and a plural verb. Example: All students have books.
4. Each can be used for two items; every needs three or more. Example: Each of my two hands (correct), every of my two hands (incorrect).
5. Each can stand alone as a pronoun; every cannot. Example: Each of them was ready. (correct) / Every of them was ready. (incorrect).
6. All can be used with “of” + the/possessive + plural noun. Example: All of the students passed.
7. Each and every can take “of” + plural pronoun or noun. Example: Each of us, every one of them.
8. All can mean “everything” or “the whole amount” with uncountable nouns. Example: All the water is gone.
9. Each and every are not used with uncountable nouns. Say all the information, not every information.
10. Word order with “all”: All + the/my/these + noun, or All + noun (plural). Example: All the books, all books.

How to Use Each, Every, and All — Step by Step

Follow these simple steps whenever you are not sure which word to choose:

1. Ask yourself: am I thinking about members one by one, or the whole group at once? If one by one → use each or every. If the whole group → use all.
2. Check the number of items. Two items → only each. Three or more → each or every.
3. Check if the noun is countable or uncountable. Uncountable → only all.
4. Match the verb. Each/Every + singular verb. All + plural verb (or singular with uncountable nouns).
5. Decide if you need “of”. Use each of / every one of / all of before pronouns (us, them) or before the/my/these + noun.

Example walkthrough: You want to talk about your three brothers and their love of football. You could say:

• Each of my brothers loves football. (focus on individuals, one by one)
• Every one of my brothers loves football. (focus on all, no exceptions)
• All of my brothers love football. (focus on the group as a whole)

Examples in Sentences

• Each student received a certificate at the ceremony.
• Each of the two cars is parked outside.
• She gave each child a small gift.
• Every seat in the theater was taken.
• Every one of my friends came to the party.
• He checks his email every morning.
• All the students passed the exam.
• All of us enjoyed the trip.
• All the information was correct.
• Each of the players has a unique style.
• Every dog in the neighborhood barks at night.
• All my colleagues are friendly and helpful.
• I visit my grandmother every Sunday.
• Each of the three sisters has a different hobby.
• All the water in the bottle is cold.

Common Mistakes with Each, Every, and All

Here are the mistakes ESL learners make most often — and how to fix them.

• Mistake 1: Using a plural verb with each or every.

  ❌ Each student have a book.
  ✅ Each student has a book.

• Mistake 2: Using “every” with two items.

  ❌ Every of my two hands was cold.
  ✅ Each of my two hands was cold.

• Mistake 3: Using “every” as a pronoun.

  ❌ Every of them was ready.
  ✅ Every one of them was ready. / Each of them was ready.

• Mistake 4: Using “each” or “every” with uncountable nouns.

  ❌ Every information was useful.
  ✅ All the information was useful.

• Mistake 5: Forgetting “of” before pronouns with all.

  ❌ All us were tired.
  ✅ All of us were tired.

Quick Summary

• Each = one by one; singular noun + singular verb; can be used for two or more; can stand alone as a pronoun.
• Every = all members, no exceptions; singular noun + singular verb; needs three or more; cannot stand alone.
• All = whole group together; plural or uncountable noun; plural verb (or singular with uncountable); can be used with “of”.
• Each/Every + singular verb. All + plural verb (usually).
• Use each of / every one of / all of before pronouns and determiners.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks with each, every, or all. Then check your answers below.

1. _______ of the two boys has a bicycle.
2. _______ student in the class must bring a notebook.
3. _______ the cookies were eaten by the children.
4. She goes to the gym _______ day.
5. _______ of us are excited about the trip.

Answers:

1. Each (two items → each)
2. Every (three or more, singular noun)
3. All (whole group, plural noun)
4. Every (routine, singular noun)
5. All (whole group, plural pronoun with “of”)

Conclusion

Mastering each, every, and all is easier than it looks once you focus on two things: whether you are thinking about members individually or as a whole, and whether the noun is singular, plural, or uncountable. Practice with the examples and exercises above, and soon these quantifiers will feel completely natural in your English.

FAQ

Can I use “each” and “every” interchangeably?

Not always. Each emphasizes individual members one by one, while every emphasizes all members without exception. You can say Each student passed or Every student passed, but the focus is slightly different. Also, each can be used for two items, while every needs three or more. And only each can stand alone as a pronoun: Each of them was ready, not Every of them was ready.

Is “all” always followed by a plural verb?

Usually, yes — when all refers to a plural countable noun: All the students are here. But when all refers to an uncountable noun, the verb is singular: All the water is gone. So the verb depends on the noun that follows, not on all itself.

Can I say “every of the students”?

No. Every cannot be followed directly by “of” unless it is part of “every one of.” The correct forms are every one of the students or each of the students. Every of the students is grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between “all of us” and “each of us”?

All of us refers to the group as a whole: All of us were tired means the entire group was tired. Each of us focuses on every individual separately: Each of us was tired means every single person, one by one, was tired. The meaning is similar, but the emphasis is different — and notice that each takes a singular verb (was), while all takes a plural verb (were).