Each vs Every: How to Understand and Use Them Correctly

Each vs every are common English words used to refer to individual people or things within a group. Although they often have similar meanings, they differ in emphasis and grammatical structure. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right word and avoid common mistakes in English.

In this guide, you will learn what each and every mean, how to use them correctly, when they can be used interchangeably, and how to distinguish them from all. You will also find practical exercises to test your understanding.

What do each vs every mean?

Both each and every refer to members of a group, but they emphasize different aspects of the group.

What does each mean?

Each refers to individual people or things in a group, emphasizing them separately. It can be used when referring to two or more people or things.

Examples:

• Each student received a certificate.
• Each room has a private bathroom.
• Each of the employees has a different responsibility.

In these sentences, each draws attention to individual students, rooms, and employees rather than treating the group as a whole.

Each can also appear after a plural subject or function independently when the people or things being discussed are already clear.

For example:

• The two children each received a gift.

Here, each emphasizes that both children received a gift individually.

What does every mean?

Every refers to all the members of a group, considered individually as part of the whole. It emphasizes that a statement or situation applies to all members without exception.

Examples:

• Every student must submit the assignment.
• Every room has a window.
• She exercises every morning.

In the first sentence, the requirement applies to all students. In the second, the statement applies to all rooms. In the third, every morning describes a recurring activity.

Every is generally used before a singular countable noun. It can also be used with a number and a plural noun to describe regular intervals, as in every two weeks.

Every cannot normally stand alone without a noun or the word one.

For example:

• Correct: Every participant received a badge.
• Correct: Every one of the participants received a badge.
• Incorrect: Every received a badge.

In general, each can refer to groups of two or more, while every is typically used for groups of three or more. This is a general usage tendency rather than an absolute rule for every context.

Each and every are common English quantifiers. To learn more about other words used to express quantity, read our guide to quantifiers in English.

What is the difference between each vs every?

The main difference between each and every lies in their emphasis and grammatical patterns. Each tends to focus on individual members separately, whereas every emphasizes that something applies to all members of a group.

Although the two words often have similar meanings, their grammatical patterns are not always interchangeable.

Each emphasizes individual people or things

Use each when you want to draw attention to the individual members of a group.

Examples:

• Each applicant was interviewed individually.
• The teacher spoke to each student about their progress.
• Each of the three boxes contains a different item.

These sentences focus on the applicants, students, and boxes as separate individuals.

Each is particularly useful when discussing individual actions, responsibilities, decisions, or characteristics.

For example:

• Each employee received individual feedback from the manager.

The sentence emphasizes that feedback was provided to employees individually.

Every emphasizes all members of a group

Use every when you want to express that something applies to all members of a group.

Examples:

• Every employee must attend the meeting.
• Every seat in the theater was occupied.
• Every child deserves a safe environment.

These sentences make statements that apply to all employees, seats, or children.

Every is also common when describing habits, routines, repeated events, and general rules.

For example:

• She checks her emails every morning.
• This sentence describes a regular activity that takes place each morning.

When can each and every be used interchangeably?

Each and every can often be used interchangeably when both refer to all the individual members of a group and the sentence structure allows either word.

For example:

• Each student received a textbook.
• Every student received a textbook.

Both sentences communicate that all students received a textbook. Each may draw slightly more attention to individual students, while every emphasizes that the statement applies to the whole group.

However, the two words cannot always replace each other because their grammatical patterns differ.

For example:

• Each of the candidates was asked to introduce themselves.
• Every one of the candidates was asked to introduce themselves.

Both sentences are grammatically correct, but the following sentence is not:

• Every of the candidates was asked to introduce themselves.

The correct alternatives are each of the candidates and every one of the candidates.

Each can also appear after a plural subject:

• The students each received a certificate.

Every cannot replace each in this sentence. Instead, you could write:

• Every student received a certificate.

What is the difference between each year and every year?

Each year and every year both mean “annually” or “once in each year” in many contexts. They are often interchangeable when describing recurring activities, events, or habits.

Examples:

• I visit my hometown each year.
• I visit my hometown every year.

Both sentences mean that the speaker visits their hometown annually.

There can be a slight difference in emphasis. Each year may draw attention to individual years, especially when discussing changes over time. Every year often presents an activity as a regular occurrence. However, this distinction is subtle, and the two expressions frequently have the same meaning.

For example:

Each year, the company reviews its financial performance and adjusts its budget.

Every year, the company organizes a celebration for its employees.

These examples illustrate possible differences in emphasis rather than strict grammatical rules.

Other common time expressions include:

• Each day and every day
• Each week and every week
• Each month and every month
• Each summer and every summer

Both forms are generally correct when used in suitable contexts.

When can each and every not be used interchangeably?

Although each and every share many similarities, they follow different grammatical patterns in certain situations.

Each can be followed by of and a plural noun or pronoun:

• Each of the students has a locker.
• Each of them received an invitation.

Every cannot be followed directly by of in the same structure. Instead, use every one of:

• Every one of the students has a locker.
• Every one of them received an invitation.

Each can also stand alone when the noun is clear from the context.

For example:

The students each received a certificate.

By contrast, every normally requires a noun or one.

Every also has a special use with numbers and plural nouns to describe regular intervals:

• The bus arrives every ten minutes.
• We have a team meeting every two weeks.

In these examples, every is followed by a number and a plural noun. This structure is correct even though every usually takes a singular noun when used directly before a noun.

Understanding these differences will help you choose the right word in different grammatical contexts.

For a more detailed explanation of the grammatical differences between these two words, see the Cambridge Dictionary guide to each and every.

Common mistakes when using each vs every

Learners sometimes make mistakes with noun forms, verb agreement, and sentence structure. The following examples highlight common errors and how to correct them.

Using a plural noun directly after every

Every is followed directly by a singular countable noun, not a plural noun.

• Incorrect: Every students received a certificate.
• Correct: Every student received a certificate.

However, when using every one of, the noun after of is plural.

Example:

• Every one of the students received a certificate.
• Remember the difference between every student and every one of the students.

Using the wrong verb form

When each or every directly precedes a singular countable noun, the verb generally takes the singular form.

Examples:

• Each employee works from home on Fridays.
• Every participant receives a confirmation email.

The same principle applies to each of and every one of.

Examples:

• Each of the employees works from home on Fridays.
• Every one of the participants receives a confirmation email.

However, when each follows a plural subject, the verb agrees with that plural subject.

For example:

The two sisters each have their own bedroom.

Here, have is correct because it agrees with the plural subject the two sisters. The word each emphasizes the individual sisters but does not change the subject’s number.

Confusing each of with every

Each of and every are not interchangeable in the same grammatical structure.

Incorrect: Every of the books is useful.

Correct: Each of the books is useful.

You can also say:

Every one of the books is useful.

The key is to use each of or every one of rather than every of.

Confusing each and every with all

Each, every, and all can refer to members of a group, but they follow different grammatical patterns.

Compare:

• Each student received a certificate.
• Every student received a certificate.
• All students received certificates.

Each and every are followed directly by a singular countable noun. All is commonly followed by a plural countable noun or an uncountable noun.

For example:

• All employees attended the meeting.
• All the information is available online.

Information is uncountable, so it takes a singular verb in the second sentence.

Choose the word that matches both your intended meaning and the grammatical structure of your sentence.

How to remember the difference between each vs every

A simple way to remember the difference is to focus on the perspective each word expresses.

Each emphasizes individual members.

Example: Each student received personal feedback.

Every emphasizes that a statement applies to all members of a group.

Example: Every student must complete the assignment.

When both words are grammatically possible, the difference in meaning may be very small. Focus on the context and the emphasis you want to convey.

Remember these practical rules:

• Use a singular countable noun directly after each and every.
• Use each of, not every of.
• Use every one of when referring to individual members with an of-phrase.
• Use every with a number and a plural noun to describe regular intervals, as in every two weeks.
• Use each year and every year for recurring annual events when either expression fits the context.

Each vs every exercises

Complete the following exercises to check your understanding of each and every. Some questions may have more than one correct answer.

Exercise 1: Choose each or every

Complete each sentence with each or every.

1. ______ student must bring a notebook to class.
2. The teacher spoke to ______ child individually.
3. I visit my grandparents ______ summer.
4. ______ of the applicants has submitted the required documents.
5. The bus arrives ______ twenty minutes.
6. The two sisters ______ have their own bedroom.

Exercise 2: Choose each, every, or all

Choose the most appropriate word to complete each sentence.

1. ______ employees must attend the safety training.
2. ______ of the three options has a different advantage.
3. She goes jogging ______ morning before work.
4. ______ the information in this report is confidential.
5. ______ one of the participants received a certificate.

Answers and explanations

Exercise 1

1. Every. Every student refers to all students in the class.
2. Each. The sentence emphasizes speaking to the child individually.
3. Each or every. Both expressions can describe a recurring summer visit.
4. Each. The correct structure is each of + plural noun, followed by a singular verb.
5. Every. Every twenty minutes describes a regular time interval.
6. Each. Each is used after the plural subject the two sisters. The verb remains plural because it agrees with the subject.

Exercise 2

1. All. All employees is followed by a plural countable noun.
2. Each. Each of the three options is followed by a singular verb.
3. Every. Every morning is a common expression for a daily routine.
4. All. All the information is correct because information is uncountable and takes a singular verb.
5. Every. Every one of the participants is grammatically correct. Each one of the participants would also be correct.

Conclusion

Each and every both refer to individual members of a group, but each tends to emphasize members separately, while every emphasizes that a statement applies to all members. They can often be used interchangeably, especially in general statements and time expressions such as each year and every year.

To use them correctly, remember that both can precede singular countable nouns, each can be followed by of, and every requires one in the corresponding of-phrase. Also, pay attention to verb agreement when each follows a plural subject and to the use of every with numbers and plural nouns for regular intervals.

With these rules and regular practice, you can use each and every more confidently in writing and conversation.

Frequently asked questions about each vs every

Is “each and every” redundant?

Not necessarily. Although each and every have similar meanings, the phrase each and every is commonly used for emphasis. It highlights every individual member of a group and can make a statement sound more emphatic.

For example, “We appreciate each and every contribution” places strong emphasis on the importance of all contributions.

In concise writing, using just each or every is often sufficient.

Can each refer to two people or things?

Yes. Each can refer to two or more people or things. It is particularly useful when you want to consider the members separately, regardless of the size of the group.

For example, “Each of the two rooms has a window” is grammatically correct.

What is the difference between every one and everyone?

Every one and everyone have different meanings and grammatical uses.

Every one, written as two words, refers to each individual person or thing in a group. It can be followed by of.

• Every one of the books has a different cover.

Everyone, written as one word, is an indefinite pronoun meaning every person.

• Everyone enjoyed the party.

Remember that everyone refers to people, while every one can refer to people or things.

Can each be used after a plural subject?

Yes. Each can follow a plural subject to emphasize the individuals within the group. In this structure, the verb agrees with the plural subject rather than with each.

• The players each received a medal.

The subject is the players, so received is correct. Each emphasizes that every individual player received a medal.

Is everyday the same as every day?

No. Every day is a time expression meaning “each day,” while everyday is an adjective meaning ordinary or usual.

• These are my everyday shoes.

Writing these forms correctly is important because they have different grammatical functions and meanings.

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