Each vs. Every—What's the Difference?
- Alex
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Level: intermediate (B1) / upper-intermediate (B2)
Why do some English learners make mistakes with these words? It is because many languages do not differentiate between these words. For instance, Polish uses każdy, Japanese uses mai, and Spanish and Portuguese use cada. These words morph in some languages depending on gender or number, but the root remains the same. This is not the case with each and every, which are two distinct words that express two distinct meanings.
Read on to learn the difference between each and every, and the usage preferences of English speakers with these two common words.
So, what is the difference between each and every?
In short:
Each focuses on the individual members of a group—one at a time.
Every focuses on all the members of a group—the group as a whole.
For example:
Each test will be more difficult than the one before it.
(Meaning, each individual test—test 1, test 2, test 3, etc.—will be more difficult than the one before it.)
Every test will be graded using the same standards.
(Meaning, all tests will be graded using the same standards.)
Typically, we use each when there are at least two items in a group, and we use every when there are at least three members in a group. If there are only two members, only each or both are possible. For instance, if a mother had twin sons and gave $100 to the first son and $100 to the second son on their birthday, we could say:
She gave each son $100.
Each son received $100.
Each of her sons received $100.
Both sons received $100.
If the woman had three sons, we could say each or every in the first two sentences. The final two sentences would need to be changed to "Every one of her sons received $100."
To practice each and every, complete these sentences with your own ideas.
Each car will be...
Every piece of fruit was...
Every human being has to...
We have been to every...
I want each computer...
Bonus information
If you are curious, if you want to use a negation when there are only two members, use neither, as in "Neither son received a gift" or "Neither of her sons received a gift," and use none when there are three or more members, as in "None of my shirts are clean."
Okay, now that we know the basic differences between each and every, it is time to answer the most important question.
How do English speakers actually use each and every?
In English, when we discuss the repetition or regularity of something, we use every followed by an expression of time. For example:
I call her every day. (I call her regularly. I repeat this action daily.)
They have breakfast together every Saturday. (This happens regularly on Saturday.)
You must take the medication once every eight hours. (You must repeat this at regular eight-hour intervals.)
We also use every more often when we want to emphasize all members of a group. Note the following sentences:
Every employee will receive a performance bonus. (Meaning, all employees)
I've read every book on that shelf. (Meaning, all of the books on that shelf)
She's watching every Mission Impossible movie. (Meaning, all of the Mission Impossible movies)
It is possible to use each in these sentences, but the preference of most English speakers is to use every. To clarify this point, it is grammatically correct to say "Each employee will receive a performance bonus" if you want to emphasize each employee as an individual. However, when discussing large numbers, English speakers prefer to refer to all members of a group, and so, we prefer to use every.
When do English speakers actually prefer each?
In addition to wanting to stress the individual members of a group, we prefer each when we want to emphasize actions that are done separately—one at a time—or when we are referring to step-by-step instructions. Note these two examples:
Each diamond ring was inspected by the jeweler. (Meaning, the rings were inspected one by one.)
Next, place each cookie on the plate in front of you. (Meaning, place the cookies one by one. These are careful instructions.)
We also only use each when it follows a numerical value. For example:
He gave them one cookie each. (Each person received one cookie.)
You will have five days each to complete the project. (Each person will have five days to complete the project.)
The company gave us forty dollars each for lunch. (The company gave each employee forty dollars for lunch.)
Now, let's look at some other common structures with these words.
Each of vs. Every one of
The phrases each of and every one of are very similar. The main nuance is the same as already described: each of focuses on individual members, and every one of focuses on the group as a whole. Not the examples:
Each of you will have five minutes to present your argument. (Meaning, each person individually)
Every one of you will have five minutes to present your argument. (Meaning, all of you)
You can also add one to each of, as in the sentence "Each one of you will have five minutes to present your argument." This adds even more emphasis to each person presenting their argument individually.
The other nuance between these phrases is that every one of you sounds more formal and inclusive than just each of. When I say "Every one of you will have five minutes," I mean that no one will be excluded.
If you want to add even more emphasis, you can combine each and every into the phrase each and every one of. For example, "Each and every one of the rooms was carefully inspected." Also, a police officer who is conducting interviews with suspects might say "I want to speak to each and every one of you." This combination of words really emphasizes that the officer wants to speak to each member and to all members of a group.
And that is everything! Now that you have reviewed the information on this page, I hope you will know how to use each and every in future English conversations.
If this page was useful for you, and you would like to support my work, please consider buying one of my books. They include 100 Practical English Phrasal Verbs, 200 Practical English Idioms, and Perfect English Questions (and How to Answer Them!). I hope you will explore them and get at least one of them in PDF, e-book, or paperback format.
Until next time, happy learning.