Each and every are two English determiners that look very similar, but they are not always interchangeable. Both refer to all members of a group, yet each emphasizes individuals one by one, while every views the group as a whole. Understanding this difference will help you choose the most natural expression in both speaking and writing.
Each vs. Every
Both each and every are determiners placed before singular countable nouns. Although they can often be translated similarly, they highlight different perspectives.
Quick Difference
- Each focuses on individual members of a group, considering them one at a time.
- Every focuses on the entire group as a complete set.
The Rule of Two
One of the easiest ways to distinguish each and every is by thinking about the size of the group.
- Each can refer to two or more people or things.
- Every is normally used when talking about three or more members of a group.
Example: I wear a ring on each hand. (There are two hands.)
When to Use Each
Use each when you want to emphasize every person or thing individually. It is followed by a singular countable noun and usually takes a singular verb.
Each + Singular Noun
Choose each when your attention is on individual people or objects rather than the group as a whole.
- Each student must bring a notebook.
- Each water bottle was labeled with a name.
- I have a bracelet on each ankle.
Each of + Plural Noun
When a noun is introduced by a determiner such as the, these, those, or my, use the pattern each of + plural noun.
- Each of the students has a notebook.
- Each of these bottles is labeled.
- Each of my friends was given a task.
Grammar tip: In formal English, each of + plural noun is normally followed by a singular verb.
✔ Each of the students has finished the assignment.
Note: Each is generally used with countable nouns. It is not normally used directly with uncountable nouns.
❌ Each water is cold.
✔ Each bottle of water is cold.
When to Use Every
Use every when you want to refer to all members of a group collectively. Instead of highlighting individuals one by one, every treats the group as a complete set. Like each, it is followed by a singular countable noun and usually takes a singular verb.
Every + Singular Noun
Choose every when talking about an entire group, routine, or repeated event.
- Every student in the class passed the exam.
- We have a meeting every Monday.
- The company sends a report every three months.
Every + Time Expressions
Every is commonly used to describe schedules, routines, and repeated actions. This is one of the most frequent patterns you’ll encounter in everyday English.
Common Time Expressions
- every day
- every week
- every month
- every year
- every two weeks
- every three days
- every other day
Example: I clean my glasses every three days.
Quick Memory Hack
A simple way to remember the difference is to think about the camera angle.
Easy Trick
- 🔍 Each = Zoom in on one person or thing at a time.
- 📷 Every = Zoom out and look at the whole group together.
Example:
- Each child received a different gift. (Focus on every individual child.)
- Every child received a gift. (Focus on the entire class.)
Why Native Speakers Sometimes Use Either Word
In many situations, each and every are both grammatically correct. The difference is usually one of emphasis rather than meaning.
| Sentence | Focus |
|---|---|
| Each student received a certificate. | Emphasizes every student individually. |
| Every student received a certificate. | Emphasizes that the whole class received one. |
| Each house has a garden. | Looks at every house one by one. |
| Every house has a garden. | Describes the neighborhood as a whole. |
Usage tip: Native speakers often choose each when they want to emphasize individuality or fairness, while every sounds more natural for general facts, routines, schedules, and broad statements.
Key Differences Between Each and Every
Although these two words are similar, remembering a few key contrasts will help you use them naturally in both speaking and writing.
| Each | Every |
|---|---|
| Focuses on individuals. | Focuses on the entire group. |
| One by one; more personal. | All together as one set. |
| Can refer to two or more items. | Normally refers to groups of three or more. |
| Each child received a different task. | Every child received a task. |
| Common with individual attention or comparison. | Common with routines, schedules, and general statements. |
Common Mistakes
Many English learners understand the basic rule but still make small grammar mistakes when using each and every. Here are some of the most common errors and how to correct them.
Mistake 1: Using a Plural Noun After Every
❌ Incorrect: Every students passed the exam.
✔ Correct: Every student passed the exam.
Why? Every is always followed by a singular countable noun.
Mistake 2: Using a Plural Verb After Each of
❌ Incorrect: Each of the students have a notebook.
✔ Correct: Each of the students has a notebook.
Why? In standard English, each of + plural noun normally takes a singular verb.
Mistake 3: Using Each with Uncountable Nouns
❌ Incorrect: Each water is cold.
✔ Correct: Each bottle of water is cold.
Why? Each is used with countable nouns, not uncountable nouns such as water, milk, or information.
Mistake 4: Using Every for Two Things
❌ Less natural: I wear a ring on every hand.
✔ Better: I wear a ring on each hand.
Why? When referring to two items individually, each sounds much more natural than every.
Mini Dialogue
Emma: Did every student finish the project?
Leo: Yes. Every student submitted it before the deadline.
Emma: Nice! Did each student work on the same topic?
Leo: No. Each student chose a different topic, so every presentation was unique.
Quick Practice
Choose each or every to complete each sentence.
- ________ student received a certificate.
- I wear a watch on ________ wrist.
- We have an English lesson ________ Monday.
- ________ of the players was given a medal.
- The teacher spoke to ________ child individually.
Answer Key
- Every
- each
- every
- Each
- each
Remember the Main Difference
Although each and every often refer to all members of a group, they are not always interchangeable.
- Use each when thinking about people or things individually.
- Use every when referring to an entire group as a whole.
- Remember that each naturally works with two or more items, while every is generally used for groups of three or more.
- Both words are followed by singular countable nouns and normally take singular verbs.
The easiest way to master this grammar point is to notice how native speakers use each and every in conversations, articles, and books. The more examples you see, the more natural the difference will become.
Last Updated on July 29, 2026
