Introduction
Few grammar points confuse learners as much as choosing between each, every, and all. These three little words look similar, but they control whether your verb is singular or plural and they change the meaning of your sentence in subtle ways. Getting them right makes your English sound natural and precise, so let’s break them down step by step.
What Is the Difference Between Each, Every, and All?
Each and every are distributive words: they talk about members of a group one by one, and they take a singular noun and a singular verb. All refers to the whole group together and usually takes a plural noun and verb. In short: each = one by one (thinking of individuals), every = one by one (thinking of the complete group), all = the entire group at once.
Rules
- Each + singular noun + singular verb. Example: Each student has a locker. “Each” focuses on members as individuals.
- Every + singular noun + singular verb. Example: Every student has a locker. “Every” sees the members as a complete group, one by one.
- All + plural noun + plural verb. Example: All students have lockers. “All” treats the group as a whole.
- Each of / every one of + plural noun/pronoun + singular verb. Example: Each of the students has a locker. The subject is “each,” not “students.”
- All of + plural noun + plural verb (or + uncountable noun + singular verb). Example: All of the students have lockers. / All of the water is gone.
- Each can follow a plural subject when it comes after the noun. Example: The students each have a locker. Here the verb agrees with “students.”
- Every is not used for exactly two things. Use “each” for two. Example: Each of my two brothers lives abroad. (Not: Every of my two brothers…)
- Every + singular noun for repeated frequency. Example: She visits every week. “Each week” is also correct but sounds a little more individual.
- All is not used before singular countable nouns. Say the whole city, not all the city, when you mean 100% of one thing.
- Pronoun agreement: after each and every, use singular pronouns in formal writing. Example: Each employee must bring his or her badge. (Informal: their badge.)
How to Use It
Follow these steps whenever you are unsure which word to choose:
- Ask: am I thinking of members one by one, or the group as a whole? One by one → each or every. Whole group → all.
- Check the noun. Singular noun → each/every. Plural noun → all.
- Match the verb to the head word. Each student is… / Each of the students is… / All students are…
- Decide on emphasis. Want to highlight individuals? Use each. Want to stress completeness? Use every. Want to talk about the group as a unit? Use all.
- Watch position. After a plural subject, each moves after the noun: They each have a ticket.
Compare these three sentences: Each child received a gift. (one by one, individual focus) / Every child received a gift. (the complete group, no exceptions) / All the children received gifts. (the group as a whole). All are correct — the choice depends on your emphasis.
Examples in Sentences
- Each player wears a numbered shirt.
- Every player wears a numbered shirt.
- All the players wear numbered shirts.
- Each of the answers is correct.
- Every one of the answers is correct.
- All of the answers are correct.
- The tickets each cost ten dollars.
- Every morning, she drinks a glass of water.
- All of the water is gone.
- Each of my two sisters lives in Canada.
- Every student in the class has a dictionary.
- All students in the class have dictionaries.
- We each need to bring a notebook.
- Every seat was taken before the show began.
Common Mistakes
Here are the errors ESL learners make most often with these words:
- Plural verb after each/every.
❌ Each student have a book.
✅ Each student has a book. - Plural noun directly after each/every.
❌ Every students passed the test.
✅ Every student passed the test. (Or: All the students passed the test.) - Wrong verb after “each of.”
❌ Each of the boys are here.
✅ Each of the boys is here. (“Each” is the subject, not “boys.”) - Using every for exactly two things.
❌ Every of my parents is a teacher.
✅ Each of my parents is a teacher. - All with a singular countable noun.
❌ All the city was quiet.
✅ The whole city was quiet. (Or: All of the city was quiet. — but “the whole city” is more natural.)
Quick Summary
- Each = one by one, individual focus + singular noun + singular verb.
- Every = one by one, whole group, no exceptions + singular noun + singular verb.
- All = the group as a whole + plural noun + plural verb (uncountable nouns take singular verbs).
- Each of / every one of + plural noun → singular verb.
- All of + plural noun → plural verb.
- After a plural subject, each follows the noun: They each have a ticket.
- Use each, not every, for exactly two items.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blank with each, every, or all, and choose the correct verb form. (Answers below.)
- _____ of the students (has / have) a laptop.
- _____ the children (was / were) excited about the trip.
- _____ employee (receives / receive) a bonus in December.
- The players _____ (wears / wear) a red jersey on match days.
- _____ of the two candidates (is / are) qualified for the job.
Answers:
- Each of the students has a laptop. (Also correct: Every one of the students has…)
- All the children were excited about the trip.
- Every employee receives a bonus in December. (Each employee receives… is also correct.)
- The players each wear a red jersey on match days.
- Each of the two candidates is qualified for the job.
Conclusion
Choosing between each, every, and all comes down to two questions: are you thinking of members one by one or as a whole group, and is the noun singular or plural? Once you master the agreement rules and the small differences in emphasis, your sentences will sound accurate and natural. Keep practising with the examples above, and these three words will become easy choices.
FAQ
1. Can I say “each of the students are”?
No. In standard English, “each of” is followed by a singular verb because the subject is “each,” not “students.” Say: Each of the students is ready. If you want a plural verb, use All of the students are ready.
2. What is the difference between “each” and “every” in emphasis?
Both take singular nouns and verbs, but the focus differs. “Each” highlights individuals separately — you can almost picture them one at a time. “Every” stresses the complete group with no exceptions. Compare: Each winner received a medal personally. (individual attention) vs. Every winner received a medal. (100% of the group).
3. Why does “all” take a plural verb but “each” takes a singular verb?
Because “all” refers to the group as a collection of many members, so the verb is plural: All the books are new. “Each” and “every” refer to members one at a time, so the verb is singular: Each book is new. With uncountable nouns, “all” takes a singular verb: All the milk is fresh.
4. Can “each” come after the subject?
Yes. When “each” follows a plural subject, the verb agrees with the plural subject: The students each have a locker. / They each want to win. This position is common and sounds natural in both speaking and writing.