Each and Every
How to choose between each and every when referring to individual items or a whole group
Each vs. Every: What’s the Difference?
Each and every both refer to all members of a group, but they frame things differently.
- Each = thinking about members one by one, as separate individuals
- Every = thinking about the group as a whole (close in meaning to all)
The manager spoke to each employee privately. (one by one, individual conversations)
The manager thanked every employee for their hard work. (all employees, as a group)
When to Use Each
Use each when the number is small or when you want to highlight individual items.
- There are three meeting rooms on this floor. Each room has a screen and a whiteboard.
- The two departments have different budgets. Each department manages its own spending.
Each works with as few as two things. Every does not.
| each | every | |
|---|---|---|
| Two items | Each team submitted a proposal. | |
| Small group | Each candidate was interviewed separately. | also fine |
| Large group | also fine | Every applicant received a confirmation email. |
When to Use Every
Use every when the number is large or when you talk about how often something happens.
- Our company has offices in every major European city. (= all major cities)
- She checks her inbox every morning before the stand-up.
- The shuttle runs every 15 minutes between the two campuses.
You cannot use each for frequency. Say *every day*, not each day when you mean “how often.”
Structures with Each
Each can appear in several positions:
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| each + noun | *Each report needs a summary page.* |
| each alone (no noun) | The proposals were different. Each had strengths and weaknesses. |
| each one | We reviewed the files. Each one was incomplete. |
| each of + the/these/them… | *Each of the candidates was well qualified.* |
| mid-sentence each | The team members were each assigned a mentor. |
| price + each | The training booklets cost twelve dollars each. |
Note: after each of, you need the, these, those, or a pronoun. You cannot say each of books.
Structures with Every
Every always needs a noun directly after it. You cannot use every alone.
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| every + noun | *Every slide in the deck needs a title.* |
| every one (two words) | I’ve attended every one of the training sessions. |
| every one of + the/them… | *Every one of them passed the certification.* |
Note: after every one of, you need the, these, those, or a pronoun. You cannot say every of them.
Everyone vs. Every One
These look similar but are not the same.
| Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| everyone (one word) | only for people (= everybody) | *Everyone on the team agreed with the plan.* |
| every one (two words) | for people or things | We sent out fifty invoices and every one was paid on time. |
Quick Self-Check
In a game of chess, _____ player has sixteen pieces.
Select your answer:
There's a status update meeting _____ Monday morning.
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I checked the contracts and _____ them contained an error.
Select your answer:
The conference was a hit. _____ enjoyed the keynote speaker.
Select your answer:
The company printed 500 brochures and _____ was checked for typos before shipping.
Select your answer: