Introduction
Few words confuse English learners as much as each, every, and all. They look similar and often translate to the same word in other languages, but they follow different grammar rules for singular and plural agreement. Getting these words right makes your writing more accurate and your meaning much clearer.
What Is the Difference Between Each, Every, and All?
Each, every, and all are quantifiers that describe how we see a group of people or things. Each and every are distributive: they focus on members of a group one by one. All is collective: it looks at the whole group together. The key difference is agreement: each and every take a singular verb and singular possessive, while all takes a plural verb with countable plural nouns.
Rules
- Each + singular noun + singular verb. “Each student has a book.”
- Every + singular noun + singular verb. “Every student has a book.”
- All + plural noun + plural verb. “All students have books.”
- Each can be used for two or more items, and it works well when the items are considered separately: “Each of the two doors is locked.”
- Every is used for three or more items and suggests the group as a whole: “Every employee needs a badge.”
- Each of + plural pronoun/noun + singular verb. “Each of the boys plays football.”
- Every one of + plural noun + singular verb. “Every one of the answers is correct.”
- All of + plural noun + plural verb. “All of the answers are correct.”
- All with uncountable nouns takes a singular verb: “All the water is gone.”
- Each and every use singular possessives: “Each child has his or her own desk.”
- All uses plural possessives with plural nouns: “All students must bring their books.”
- Each can follow a plural subject: “The students each have a laptop.”
How to Use It
Follow these steps to choose the right word and verb form.
- Step 1: Ask how many items. Two items? Use each. Three or more? Use each or every.
- Step 2: Decide your focus. Separate members? Use each. Whole group? Use every or all.
- Step 3: Check the noun. Singular noun with each/every; plural noun with all.
- Step 4: Match the verb. Singular verb after each/every; plural verb after all + plural noun.
- Step 5: Match the possessive. “Each/Every + singular possessive”; “All + plural possessive.”
Examples: “Each employee has a desk.” / “Every employee has a desk.” / “All employees have desks.”
Examples in Sentences
- Each student needs a dictionary.
- Every student needs a dictionary.
- All students need dictionaries.
- Each of the players has a number.
- Every one of the players has a number.
- All of the players have numbers.
- Each of the two roads leads to the city.
- Every room has a window.
- All the rooms have windows.
- The students each have a notebook.
- Each child has his or her own seat.
- All children must bring their permission slips.
- All the milk is in the fridge.
- Every morning, she drinks tea.
- All the guests were happy.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ Each students have a book.
✅ Each student has a book. - ❌ Every employees needs a badge.
✅ Every employee needs a badge. - ❌ All student have a phone.
✅ All students have a phone. - ❌ Each of the boys play football.
✅ Each of the boys plays football. - ❌ Every children has a bag.
✅ Every child has a bag.
Quick Summary
- Each = one by one, singular verb, two or more items.
- Every = all members, singular verb, three or more items.
- All = whole group, plural verb with plural nouns.
- Each of / Every one of + plural noun + singular verb.
- Use singular possessives with each/every; plural with all.
Practice Exercises
- _____ student in the class has a locker. (Each / All)
- _____ the books are on the shelf. (All of / Each of)
- Every one of the answers _____ correct. (is / are)
- Each of the girls _____ a red scarf. (wear / wears)
- All the water _____ cold. (is / are)
Answers: 1. Each 2. All of 3. is 4. wears 5. is
Conclusion
Choosing between each, every, and all is mostly about agreement and focus. Remember: each and every take singular verbs, while all takes a plural verb with plural nouns. With a little practice, these small words will become easy and natural in your English.
FAQ
1. Is “each” singular or plural?
“Each” is singular. It takes a singular verb and a singular possessive: “Each student has a book.” When it follows a plural subject, the verb can stay plural: “The students each have a book.”
2. Can I use “every” with plural nouns?
No. “Every” is followed by a singular noun and a singular verb: “Every child needs a coat.” If you want a plural noun, use “all”: “All children need coats.”
3. What is the difference between “each” and “every”?
“Each” focuses on members separately and works with two or more items. “Every” sees the group as a whole and is used with three or more items. Compare: “Each of the two windows is open” and “Every window is open.”
4. Does “all” take a singular or plural verb?
It depends on the noun. With plural countable nouns, use a plural verb: “All the students are here.” With uncountable nouns, use a singular verb: “All the water is gone.”