Introduction
Do you ever stop mid-sentence because you are not sure whether to say “Each student is” or “Each student are”? You are not alone. Choosing between each, every, and all is one of the most common grammar headaches for English learners, and it affects your verb agreement every time you speak or write.
In this guide, we will break down the rules in simple language, look at plenty of examples, and fix the mistakes learners make most often. By the end, you will know exactly which verb form to use with each word.
What Are ‘Each’, ‘Every’, and ‘All’?
Each, every, and all are quantifiers — words that tell us how much or how many of something we are talking about. They help us describe groups of people, things, or ideas.
- Each means “every one, considered separately.” It focuses on individual members one by one. Each child received a gift.
- Every means “all the members of a group, considered together as a whole.” It focuses on the complete group. Every child received a gift.
- All means “the whole number or quantity.” It refers to the entire group at once. All the children received gifts.
The meaning is similar, but the grammar — especially singular and plural agreement — is different. That is where the confusion begins.
Rules
- Each + singular noun + singular verb. Each book is on the shelf. Even though each talks about many items, the grammar treats them one at a time.
- Every + singular noun + singular verb. Every book is on the shelf. Every always takes a singular noun and verb.
- All + plural noun + plural verb. All the books are on the shelf. When all refers to countable things, it takes a plural noun and verb.
- All + uncountable noun + singular verb. All the water is gone. Uncountable nouns like water, information, or money stay singular.
- Each of / Every one of + plural noun + singular verb. Each of the students is ready. Every one of the students is ready. The subject is still singular because of each and one.
- All of + plural noun + plural verb. All of the students are ready. All of keeps the plural verb.
- Pronouns follow the same pattern. Use his/her/its with each and every, and their with all. Each student brought his or her book. All the students brought their books.
How to Use It
Follow these steps whenever you write a sentence with each, every, or all:
- Identify the quantifier. Is it each, every, or all?
- Check the noun. Is it singular, plural, or uncountable?
- Match the verb. Singular quantifier → singular verb. Plural quantifier → plural verb.
- Check the pronoun. Make sure any pronoun later in the sentence agrees too.
Example 1: Each player has a locker. → Each = singular, so we use has.
Example 2: Every player has a locker. → Every = singular, so has again.
Example 3: All the players have lockers. → All + plural noun = plural verb have.
Example 4: Each of the players has a locker. → Even with a plural noun after of, the verb stays singular.
Examples in Sentences
- Each student has a notebook.
- Every student has a notebook.
- All the students have notebooks.
- Each of the houses is painted white.
- Every one of the houses is painted white.
- All of the houses are painted white.
- Each employee works from home on Fridays.
- Every employee works from home on Fridays.
- All the employees work from home on Fridays.
- All the milk is in the fridge. (uncountable noun → singular verb)
- Each of my friends lives nearby.
- Every child in the class was excited about the trip.
- All the information was correct.
Common Mistakes
Here are five mistakes ESL learners make most often with each, every, and all.
-
Using a plural verb with each or every.
❌ Each student are ready.
✅ Each student is ready. -
Using a singular verb with all + plural noun.
❌ All the books is on the table.
✅ All the books are on the table. -
Forgetting that each of takes a singular verb.
❌ Each of the players have a locker.
✅ Each of the players has a locker. -
Using every with a plural noun.
❌ Every students like the new teacher.
✅ Every student likes the new teacher. -
Mixing pronouns incorrectly.
❌ Each child brought their own lunch. (In formal English.)
✅ Each child brought his or her own lunch. (Informal spoken English often accepts their, but in exams, use his or her.)
Quick Summary
- Each = one by one → singular noun and verb.
- Every = the whole group → singular noun and verb.
- All + plural noun → plural verb.
- All + uncountable noun → singular verb.
- Each of / Every one of + plural noun → singular verb.
- All of + plural noun → plural verb.
- Keep pronouns consistent with the quantifier.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct verb form.
- Each of the boys ______ (have / has) a bicycle.
- Every teacher ______ (know / knows) the new rules.
- All the windows ______ (is / are) open.
- All the sugar ______ (is / are) in the bowl.
- Each student ______ (need / needs) a dictionary.
Answers:
- has
- knows
- are
- is
- needs
Conclusion
Mastering each, every, and all comes down to one simple idea: each and every are singular, while all is plural with countable nouns and singular with uncountable nouns. Practise the sentences above, check your verb agreement every time you write, and these rules will become second nature.
FAQ
1. Is each always singular?
Yes. Each is always followed by a singular noun and a singular verb, even when it refers to a large group: Each of the thousand people was waiting. The subject is each, not people, so the verb stays singular.
2. Can I use every with plural nouns?
No. Every must be followed by a singular countable noun: every book, every student, every day. If you want a plural, use all: all books, all students.
3. What is the difference between each and every?
Each emphasises individual members one by one, and it works well with small groups. Every emphasises the group as a complete whole and sounds more general. Compare: Each of my two brothers called me (one, then the other) vs Every student in the school was invited (the whole group).
4. Does all take a singular or plural verb?
It depends on the noun after all. With plural countable nouns, use a plural verb: All the cars are new. With uncountable nouns, use a singular verb: All the bread is fresh. With all of + plural noun, use a plural verb: All of the cars are new.