Introduction
Do you ever pause mid-sentence, wondering whether to write “each student is” or “each student are“? You are not alone. The words each, every, and all look simple, but they behave very differently when it comes to verb agreement, scope, and emphasis. Getting them right makes your English sound natural and precise, and it is a favourite topic in exams and everyday writing alike.
What Is the Difference Between Each, Every, and All?
Each, every, and all are quantifiers — words that tell us how much or how many. Each focuses on members of a group one by one. Every focuses on all the members together as a complete group. All refers to the whole group or quantity at once. The tricky part is that each and every are grammatically singular, while all can be singular or plural depending on what follows it.
Rules
- Each + singular noun + singular verb. Use “each” when you see the members individually: Each child has a book.
- Every + singular noun + singular verb. Use “every” when you mean the whole group without exception: Every student needs a laptop.
- All + plural noun + plural verb. Use “all” with countable plurals: All the students are here.
- All + uncountable noun + singular verb. Use “all” with uncountable nouns: All the water is gone.
- Each of / Every one of + plural noun + singular verb. The verb stays singular: Each of the boys plays football.
- Each can be used for two things; every needs three or more. Each of my two hands is fine, but every of my two hands is wrong.
- All of + object pronoun takes a plural verb for people/things. All of them were tired.
- Use “each” for emphasis on individuals, “every” for emphasis on completeness, and “all” for emphasis on the total.
How to Use It
Follow these steps whenever you choose between the three words:
- Ask: am I thinking of members one by one? If yes, use each. Example: Each employee received a bonus.
- Ask: am I thinking of the whole group with no exceptions? If yes, use every. Example: Every employee attended the meeting.
- Ask: am I talking about the total amount or group? If yes, use all. Example: All the employees attended the meeting.
- Check the noun after the quantifier. Singular noun → singular verb (each/every). Plural noun → plural verb (all + plural). Uncountable noun → singular verb (all + uncountable).
- Watch out for “of” phrases. “Each of” and “every one of” take a plural noun but a singular verb. “All of” takes a plural verb with plural nouns.
Examples in Sentences
- Each student has a locker. (singular agreement)
- Every house on the street looks the same. (singular agreement)
- All the cookies were eaten. (plural agreement)
- All the milk is in the fridge. (uncountable, singular)
- Each of the players gets a medal. (singular verb after “each of”)
- Every one of the answers is correct. (singular verb after “every one of”)
- All of the tickets have been sold. (plural verb after “all of”)
- Each of my two sisters lives abroad. (each works with two)
- Every city in the country celebrates the holiday. (three or more, complete group)
- All children need love and attention. (plural, general statement)
- Each day brings new challenges. (individual focus)
- Every detail matters in this exam. (completeness, no exceptions)
- All of us are ready to start. (plural pronoun object)
- Each apple was carefully washed. (singular, one by one)
Common Mistakes
- ❌ Each students are here.
✅ Each student is here. — “Each” takes a singular noun and verb. - ❌ Every of the boys was late.
✅ Every one of the boys was late. — “Every” cannot stand alone before “of”. - ❌ All the water are cold.
✅ All the water is cold. — Uncountable nouns take a singular verb. - ❌ Each of the girls play tennis.
✅ Each of the girls plays tennis. — “Each of” keeps the verb singular. - ❌ Every of my two hands hurts.
✅ Each of my two hands hurts. — Use “each” for two things; “every” needs three or more.
Quick Summary
- Each = one by one, singular verb, works with two or more.
- Every = whole group, no exceptions, singular verb, three or more.
- All = total group or quantity; plural verb with countable plurals, singular verb with uncountables.
- Each of / Every one of + plural noun + singular verb.
- All of + plural noun/pronoun + plural verb.
- Choose each for individual emphasis, every for completeness, all for the total.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blank with each, every, or all, and choose the correct verb form.
- _____ student in the class (has / have) a notebook.
- _____ of the boys (was / were) given a prize.
- _____ the water in the bottle (is / are) warm.
- _____ child in the world (deserves / deserve) an education.
- _____ of my two brothers (lives / live) in Canada.
Answers:
- Every student in the class has a notebook.
- Each of the boys was given a prize.
- All the water in the bottle is warm.
- Every child in the world deserves an education.
- Each of my two brothers lives in Canada.
Conclusion
Mastering each, every, and all is really about two questions: how many items am I thinking about, and am I seeing them individually or as a whole? Once you remember that each and every are singular while all follows the noun, your sentences will sound accurate and confident. Keep practising, and these little words will become second nature.
FAQ
Is “each” singular or plural?
“Each” is grammatically singular. It always takes a singular verb, even when it is followed by “of” and a plural noun: Each of the students is ready. This surprises many learners, but the verb agrees with “each”, not with “students”.
Can I use “every” with two things?
No. “Every” needs three or more items because it refers to a complete group. With two things, use “each”: Each of my two eyes (not every of my two eyes). “Every” is also never used alone before “of” — say “every one of” instead.
Does “all” take a singular or plural verb?
It depends on the noun. With countable plurals, use a plural verb: All the books are new. With uncountable nouns, use a singular verb: All the information is correct. With “all of” plus an object pronoun, use a plural verb for people or things: All of them were invited.
What is the difference in emphasis between each, every, and all?
“Each” emphasises members individually, one at a time: Each guest received a gift. “Every” emphasises the complete group with no exceptions: Every guest received a gift. “All” emphasises the total number or amount: All the guests received gifts. The meaning is similar, but the focus changes — and that focus is exactly what examiners and good writers notice.
