Each vs Every vs All: Singular or Plural Agreement Guide

Introduction

Few grammar choices confuse learners as much as deciding between each, every, and all. These small words look similar, but they control whether your verb is singular or plural, how you think about a group, and how precise your meaning becomes. Get them right, and your English sounds noticeably more accurate and natural.

What Are “Each,” “Every,” and “All”?

Each, every, and all are quantifiers: words that tell us how much or how many. They describe how we view a group of people or things. Each focuses on members one by one. Every also looks at members individually but treats the whole group as a unit. All looks at the group together as a total. Understanding these three perspectives is the key to using them correctly.

Rules

1. Each + singular noun + singular verb. “Each student has a book.” Each separates members one by one.
2. Every + singular noun + singular verb. “Every student has a book.” Every generalises across the whole group.
3. All + plural noun + plural verb. “All students have books.” All treats the group as a total.
4. Each of / every one of + plural noun + singular verb. “Each of the students is ready.” “Every one of them was invited.”
5. All of + plural noun + plural verb (or uncountable + singular verb). “All of the students are here.” “All of the water is gone.”
6. Each can follow a plural subject when it comes after the noun or pronoun: “They each have a ticket.” Here the verb agrees with the plural subject.
7. Every is not used for exactly two. Use each for two things: “She held a bag in each hand,” not “every hand.”
8. All can mean “everything” with uncountable nouns and takes a singular verb: “All is well.”

How to Use It

Follow these steps whenever you choose between the three words:

1. Decide your focus. Are you thinking of members one by one (each), the whole group as a unit (every), or the total (all)?
2. Check the noun. Each and every take a singular noun. All takes a plural or uncountable noun.
3. Match the verb. Each and every take singular verbs. All takes a plural verb with countable nouns and a singular verb with uncountable nouns.
4. Watch the “of” pattern. With “each of” and “every one of,” keep the verb singular. With “all of” and a plural noun, use a plural verb.
5. Check for two items. If there are exactly two, use each, never every.

For example: “Each child gets a prize” (one by one), “Every child gets a prize” (the whole class, no exceptions), “All the children get prizes” (the total group). Notice how only the last sentence uses a plural verb.

Examples in Sentences

• Each member of the team has a specific role.
• Every student in the class was given a certificate.
• All the players were tired after the match.
• Each of the rooms is cleaned every morning.
• Every one of the answers was correct.
• All of the information is available online.
• The twins each have their own bedroom.
• She wore a ring on each finger.
• Every shop on the street closes at nine.
• All of us agree with the plan.
• Each applicant needs to bring identification.
• Every morning, my neighbour walks his dog.

Common Mistakes

• Plural verb after each or every.
  ❌ Each student have a laptop.
  ✅ Each student has a laptop.
• Singular verb after all + plural noun.
  ❌ All the students is here.
  ✅ All the students are here.
• Using every for two things.
  ❌ She has a bracelet on every wrist.
  ✅ She has a bracelet on each wrist.
• Wrong verb after “each of” or “every one of.”
  ❌ Each of the boys are ready.
  ✅ Each of the boys is ready.
• Plural verb after “each” following a plural subject.
  ❌ They each has a ticket.
  ✅ They each have a ticket.

Quick Summary

• Each = members one by one; singular noun, singular verb; used for two or more.
• Every = all members as a unit, no exceptions; singular noun, singular verb; not used for exactly two.
• All = the whole group or total; plural verb with countable nouns, singular verb with uncountable nouns.
• “Each of” and “every one of” always take singular verbs.
• After a plural subject, “each” keeps a plural verb: “They each have…”

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in brackets, or choose the correct word.

1. Each of the students ______ (have) a copy of the book.
2. Every house on our street ______ (be) painted white.
3. All of the milk ______ (be) in the fridge.
4. She had a small tattoo on ______ (each / every) ankle.
5. My brothers ______ (each / every) own a bicycle.

Answers:

1. has — “Each of” takes a singular verb.
2. is — “Every” + singular noun takes a singular verb.
3. is — “All of” + uncountable noun takes a singular verb.
4. each — We use “each” for exactly two things.
5. each — After a plural subject, “each” is correct, and the verb “own” agrees with the plural subject.

Conclusion

Choosing between each, every, and all comes down to two questions: how do you view the group, and what does the verb need to agree with? Keep the singular-verb rule for each and every, use plural verbs with all and countable nouns, and watch the “of” patterns. With a little practice, these quantifiers will become automatic.

FAQ

Is “each” singular or plural?

“Each” is grammatically singular when it is the subject: “Each child is here.” However, when “each” follows a plural subject, the verb agrees with that plural subject: “The children each have a bag.” This is because “each” acts as an adverb-like word in that position, not as the subject.

Can I use “every” for two things?

No. “Every” needs three or more items because it generalises across a whole group. For exactly two, use “each”: “He was holding a glass in each hand.” Sentences like “every hand” sound unnatural when only two hands are involved.

What is the difference between “each” and “every”?

Both take singular nouns and verbs, but the focus differs. “Each” emphasises members individually, one at a time: “Each winner received a medal.” “Every” treats the members as a complete group with no exceptions: “Every winner received a medal.” “Each” also works for two, while “every” does not.

Does “all” take a singular or plural verb?

It depends on the noun after it. With a plural countable noun, use a plural verb: “All the students are ready.” With an uncountable noun, use a singular verb: “All the water is gone.” When “all” means “everything,” it is singular: “All is well.”