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 the same way in other languages, but they follow different rules for singular and plural agreement. Getting them right will make your speaking and writing sound more natural and accurate, so let’s break them down step by step.
What Are ‘Each’, ‘Every’, and ‘All’?
Each, every, and all are quantifiers — words that tell us how much or how many. Each and every both refer to members of a group one by one, but each emphasises the individual member, while every emphasises the whole group seen as individual members. All refers to the entire group together. The key difference for grammar is agreement: each and every are followed by a singular noun and a singular verb, while all is followed by a plural (or uncountable) noun and a plural verb.
Rules
- Each + singular noun + singular verb. Example: Each student has a book. “Each” focuses on members one at a time.
- Every + singular noun + singular verb. Example: Every student has a book. “Every” sees the group as a whole made of individuals.
- All + plural noun + plural verb (for countable nouns). Example: All the students have books.
- All + uncountable noun + singular verb. Example: All the water is cold.
- Each of / Every one of + plural noun or pronoun + singular verb. Example: Each of the students has a book. Every one of them has a book.
- Each can be used for two things; every needs three or more. Example: She held a bag in each hand. (two hands) But: Every player on the team… (a larger group).
- Each can stand alone as a pronoun; every cannot. Example: Each has a book. (correct) Every has a book. (incorrect — use everyone or every one).
- Possessives with each/every are usually singular. Example: Each student must bring his or her own lunch. In modern usage, their is also widely accepted: Each student must bring their own lunch.
How to Use It
Follow these steps whenever you need to choose between the three words:
- Decide what you want to emphasise. One by one? Use each. The whole group as individuals? Use every. The group as a single block? Use all.
- Check the noun. Is it singular or plural? Each and every need singular nouns; all needs plural or uncountable nouns.
- Match the verb to the noun. Singular noun → singular verb (is, has, goes). Plural noun → plural verb (are, have, go).
- Watch out for “of” phrases. After each of and every one of, the noun is plural but the verb stays singular: Each of the boys is here.
- Read your sentence aloud. If it sounds awkward, check whether you used the right verb form.
Examples in Sentences
- Each child receives a certificate. (singular noun, singular verb)
- Every house on the street has a garden. (singular noun, singular verb)
- All the houses on the street have gardens. (plural noun, plural verb)
- Each of the players was given a medal. (singular verb after “each of”)
- Every one of the answers is correct. (singular verb after “every one of”)
- All of the answers are correct. (plural verb after “all of”)
- She wore a ring on each finger. (each = two or more individual items)
- Every morning, he drinks a cup of tea. (routine with “every”)
- All the milk has gone bad. (uncountable noun, singular verb)
- Each student needs to bring a notebook. (singular agreement)
- Every employee attends the meeting on Mondays. (singular agreement)
- All employees attend the meeting on Mondays. (plural agreement)
Common Mistakes
- ❌ Each students have a book.
✅ Each student has a book. — “Each” takes a singular noun and verb. - ❌ Every of the boys is here.
✅ Every one of the boys is here. — “Every” cannot be followed directly by “of”. - ❌ All the student is happy.
✅ All the students are happy. — “All” with countable nouns takes a plural noun and verb. - ❌ Each of the girls are ready.
✅ Each of the girls is ready. — The verb agrees with “each”, not with “girls”. - ❌ Every has a ticket.
✅ Everyone has a ticket. / Every one has a ticket. — “Every” cannot stand alone as a pronoun.
Quick Summary
- Each = individual focus, two or more items, singular noun + singular verb.
- Every = whole group seen as individuals, three or more items, singular noun + singular verb.
- All = the entire group together, plural or uncountable noun.
- After each of / every one of + plural noun, use a singular verb.
- Each can be a pronoun; every cannot.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with each, every, or all. Then check your answers below.
- _____ of the students has a locker.
- _____ the children are playing outside.
- She visits her grandmother _____ Sunday.
- _____ of the water in the bottle is gone.
- _____ employee must wear a badge.
Answers:
- Each (or Every one) — singular verb “has”.
- All — plural noun “children” + plural verb “are”.
- Every — routine with a singular noun “Sunday”.
- All — uncountable noun “water” + singular verb “is”.
- Each / Every — both work with a singular noun and “must wear”.
Conclusion
Choosing between each, every, and all comes down to two questions: are you focusing on individuals or the whole group, and is the noun singular or plural? Keep the agreement rules in mind, practise with the examples above, and these three words will quickly become some of the easiest in your English toolkit.
FAQ
Is it “each of them is” or “each of them are”?
Use “each of them is”. The subject of the sentence is “each”, which is singular, so the verb must be singular. Even though “them” refers to several people or things, the verb agrees with “each”, not with the pronoun after “of”.
Can I use “every” with plural nouns?
No. “Every” is always followed by a singular noun: every day, every student. If you need a plural, use “all”: all students. However, you can say “every one of the students”, where the plural noun comes after “of”.
What is the difference between “each” and “every” in meaning?
“Each” emphasises members separately, one by one, and works for groups of two or more: Each of my two sisters called me. “Every” emphasises the whole group seen through its individual members, and usually needs three or more: Every student in the class passed. In many everyday sentences they are interchangeable, but “each” is more precise about individuality.
Does “all” always take a plural verb?
No. “All” takes a plural verb with countable plural nouns (All the books are new) but a singular verb with uncountable nouns (All the information is useful). Always check whether the noun after “all” is countable plural or uncountable.