Each and Every: How to Use Them Correct Way

Each and every are commonly used to talk about the members of a group, but they do not always mean exactly the same thing. The main difference is in focus: each emphasizes the members individually, while every refers to all the members of a group collectively.

For example:

• Each student received a certificate. → The students are considered individually.

• Every student received a certificate. → All the students in the group received one.

Both each and every are normally followed by a singular countable noun and a singular verb, but their grammar and usage differ in several important situations.

In this guide, you’ll learn the difference between each and every, when to use each word, common grammar rules, examples, and mistakes to avoid.

What Does Each Mean?

Each means every individual person or thing in a group, considered separately or one at a time. It emphasizes the individual members rather than the group as a whole.

For example:

• Each student received a certificate.

• Each room has a window.

• I spoke to each employee individually.

In these examples, each draws attention to every student, room, or employee separately.

Each + Singular Noun

When each comes directly before a noun, we normally use a singular countable noun and a singular verb.

Structure:
Each + singular noun + singular verb

Examples:

• Each student has a textbook.

• Each child needs a ticket.

• Each answer is worth two points.

• Each employee receives an ID card.

❌ Each students have a textbook.
✓ Each student has a textbook.

Each of + Plural Noun or Pronoun

We can also use each of before a plural noun phrase or an object pronoun.

Structure:
Each of + the/these/those/possessive + plural noun

Examples:

• Each of the students has a textbook.

• Each of these books is useful.

• Each of my friends lives nearby.

• Each of the answers is correct.

With pronouns, we can say:

• each of us

• each of you

• each of them

Examples:

• Each of us has a different opinion.

• I gave each of them a copy.

• Each of you is responsible for completing the assignment.

Each as a Pronoun

Each can also stand alone when the people or things being discussed are already clear.

• There were four cakes, and each was decorated differently.

• The students received two books each.

• They each chose a different topic.

The important idea to remember is that each focuses on members of a group individually. This individual focus is one of the main differences between each and every.

What Does Every Mean?

Every refers to all the individual members of a group without exception. Unlike each, which places more emphasis on members separately, every usually presents the members as part of the whole group.

For example:

• Every student passed the exam.

• Every room has a window.

• Every employee must wear an ID badge.

In these sentences, every means all the students, rooms, or employees in the group.

Every + Singular Noun

Every is normally followed by a singular countable noun and a singular verb.

Structure:
Every + singular noun + singular verb

Examples:

• Every student has a textbook.

• Every child needs care and attention.

• Every room is clean.

• Every employee receives an ID card.

❌ Every students have a textbook.
✓ Every student has a textbook.

Even though every refers to all members of a group, the noun that follows it is singular.

Every with Repeated Events

We commonly use every to describe something that happens regularly or repeatedly.

Examples:

• I exercise every morning.

• She visits her parents every weekend.

• We have a meeting every Monday.

• The bus arrives every 20 minutes.

• He travels abroad every year.

In these expressions, every means that something happens repeatedly at regular intervals.

Every One of + Plural Noun or Pronoun

We cannot normally use every of directly.

❌ Every of the students passed.
✓ Every one of the students passed.

The correct structure is:

Every one of + plural noun/pronoun

Examples:

• Every one of the students passed the exam.

• Every one of these books is useful.

• Every one of them received a certificate.

Compare this with each:

• Each of the students received a certificate.

• Every one of the students received a certificate.

This is an important grammatical difference between each and every.

Every vs Everyone

Do not confuse every with everyone.

Every is normally followed by a singular noun:

• Every student was ready.

• Every person deserves respect.

Everyone is a pronoun meaning every person:

• Everyone was ready.

• Everyone deserves respect.

The key idea is that every emphasizes all members of a group, while each places greater emphasis on the members individually.

Difference Between Each and Every

Each and every can sometimes be used in similar situations, but they have different meanings and grammatical patterns. The main difference is that each focuses on individual members of a group, while every focuses on all members of the group together.

Compare:

• Each student received a certificate. → We think about the students individually.

• Every student received a certificate. → We mean all the students without exception.

Here is a quick comparison:

1. Each Focuses on Individuals

Use each when you want to emphasize people or things separately.

• Each student gave a different answer.

• The teacher spoke to each parent individually.

• Each room has its own bathroom.

The emphasis is on the individual members of the group.

2. Every Focuses on the Whole Group

Use every when you are thinking about all the members of a group without exception.

• Every student must complete the assignment.

• Every room in the hotel has Wi-Fi.

• Every employee attended the meeting.

The emphasis is on the group as a whole rather than on its members separately.

3. Each Can Be Used for Two or More

Each can be used when a group contains only two people or things.

• She wore a ring on each hand.

• There was a chair on each side of the table.

• Each parent received a copy of the letter.

With two people or things, each is generally more natural than every.

4. Every Is Common for Regular or Repeated Events

We frequently use every with expressions of time to show that something happens repeatedly.

• every day

• every week

• every Monday

• every summer

• every two hours

Examples:

• She exercises every morning.

• We visit our grandparents every Sunday.

• The train leaves every 30 minutes.

In these expressions, replacing every with each would often sound unnatural.

5. Each Can Be Used with “Of”

We can use:

each of + plural noun/pronoun

Examples:

• Each of the students has a laptop.

• Each of us received a certificate.

• I spoke to each of them.

However, we do not normally say every of.

❌ Every of the students passed.

Instead, use:

✓ Every student passed.
✓ Every one of the students passed.

6. Each Can Stand Alone

Each can function as a pronoun without a noun immediately after it.

• I bought three notebooks. Each was a different color.

• The children received two pencils each.

• They each received a prize.

Every does not normally stand alone in the same way.

❌ I bought three notebooks. Every was a different color.
✓ I bought three notebooks. Every one was a different color.

Each vs Every: Side-by-Side Examples

Quick Rule to Remember

Use each when you want to think about members one by one.

Use every when you want to refer to all members of a group without exception.

Each = individual focus
Every = whole-group focus

When to Use Each

Use each when you want to emphasize the individual people or things within a group. It is especially useful when members are considered separately, individually, or one at a time.

1. When Considering Members Individually

Use each when your attention is on every individual member rather than the group as a whole.

• Each student answered a different question.

• Each employee has a separate responsibility.

• Each book contains a different story.

• The teacher checked each assignment carefully.

2. When Talking About Two People or Things

Each is commonly used when there are two people, objects, sides, or other items.

• She carried a bag in each hand.

• There is a window on each side of the room.

• Each parent signed the form.

• He wore a glove on each hand.

This is an important difference between each and every because each works naturally when only two members are involved.

3. When Using “Each of”

Use each of before a plural noun phrase or an object pronoun.

• Each of the students received a certificate.

• Each of these questions is important.

• Each of my friends has a different hobby.

• Each of them gave a different answer.

Remember that the noun after each of is plural, even though the verb is normally singular:

✓ Each of the students has a book.
❌ Each of the students have a book.

4. When Something Is Given to Individuals Separately

Each is particularly natural when something is distributed, assigned, or given separately to members of a group.

• I gave each child a pencil.

• The company gave each employee an ID card.

• Each winner received a prize.

• The teacher assigned each student a topic.

5. When Emphasizing Differences Between Members

Use each when individual members have different characteristics, choices, experiences, or results.

• Each child chose a different color.

• Each room has its own design.

• The students each gave a different answer.

• Each country has its own traditions.

Quick Tip

Ask yourself:

Am I thinking about the members individually?

If the answer is yes, each is usually the better choice.

For example:

Each student chose a different book.

Here, the students made individual choices, so each sounds natural.

When to Use Every

Use every when you want to refer to all members of a group without exception or when talking about something that happens regularly or repeatedly.

1. When Referring to All Members of a Group

Use every when you mean all the people or things in a group.

• Every student must complete the assignment.

• Every employee attended the meeting.

• Every room has a window.

• Every question requires an answer.

Although every refers to multiple members, it is followed by a singular noun.

✓ Every student was ready.
❌ Every students were ready.

2. When Making General Statements

Every is useful when making statements that apply to all members of a particular group.

• Every child needs care and attention.

• Every language has its own grammar.

• Every country has its own traditions.

• Every person makes mistakes.

Here, the focus is not on one particular member but on the entire group.

3. When Talking About Frequency

We commonly use every with time expressions to describe actions that happen regularly.

• every day

• every morning

• every night

• every week

• every month

• every year

Examples:

• I practice English every day.

• She exercises every morning.

• We have a meeting every Friday.

• They visit their grandparents every month.

4. When Talking About Repeated Intervals

Every can also show that something happens after a particular number of units.

• every two hours

• every three days

• every five minutes

• every six months

• every ten years

Examples:

• The bus arrives every 20 minutes.

• Take a short break every two hours.

• The company reviews the policy every six months.

• The competition takes place every four years.

Notice that the noun is plural after a number:

✓ every two days
✓ every three weeks
✓ every five minutes

5. When You Mean “Without Exception”

Use every when you want to emphasize that no member of a group is excluded.

• Every passenger must show a ticket.

• Every applicant must complete the form.

• Every student passed the test.

• I checked every page of the document.

In these examples, every means that all members or items are included.

Quick Tip

Ask yourself:

Am I referring to all members of the group or something that happens regularly?

If yes, every is usually the better choice.

Compare:

• Each student chose a different topic. → individual focus

• Every student completed the assignment. → all students included

A simple way to remember the difference is:

Each = one by one
Every = all without exception

Each vs Every in Questions and Negative Sentences

Both each and every can appear in questions and negative sentences, but the meaning can be different. Each keeps the focus on individual members, while every usually considers all members of the group.

Each and Every in Questions

Use each when asking about members individually.

• Did each student receive a certificate?

• Has each employee completed the form?

• Did you speak to each applicant?

• Does each room have a bathroom?

Use every when asking whether something applies to all members of a group.

• Did every student pass the exam?

• Has every employee arrived?

• Does every room have Wi-Fi?

• Did you check every answer?

Compare:

Did each student receive a different book?
The question focuses on what individual students received.

Did every student receive a book?
The question asks whether all students received one.

Each and Every in Negative Sentences

Negative sentences require more care because not every has a particularly important meaning.

Not Every

Not every means some, but not all.

• Not every student passed the exam.

• Not every employee attended the meeting.

• Not every answer was correct.

• Not every book is suitable for beginners.

For example:

Not every student passed the exam.

This does not mean that no students passed. It means that at least some students did not pass.

Compare:

• Not every student passed. → Some students may have passed, but not all.

• No student passed. → Zero students passed.

These two sentences have very different meanings.

Not Each

Not each is grammatically possible in some contexts, but it is much less common and can sound unnatural. English speakers often use not every, not all, or another clearer construction instead.

For example:

Less natural:
Not each student understood the lesson.

More natural:
Not every student understood the lesson.

However, each can naturally appear after a negative verb:

• I didn’t speak to each student individually.

• She didn’t check each answer.

• We couldn’t interview each applicant.

Depending on context, these sentences generally suggest that the action was not performed for all individuals.

Common Mistake: “Every” After a Negative

Be careful with sentences such as:

I didn’t read every book.

This normally means:

I read some of the books, but not all of them.

It does not normally mean:

I didn’t read any books.

If you mean zero books, say:

I didn’t read any of the books.

Quick Comparison

The key point is that not every does not mean none. It normally means not all.

Each vs Every Examples

The following examples show how each and every are used in everyday English. In some sentences, either word is grammatically possible, but the emphasis changes.

Each vs Every with Students

Each student received a certificate.
This emphasizes the students individually.

Every student received a certificate.
This emphasizes that all students received one.

Each vs Every with Rooms

Each room has its own bathroom.
The focus is on the individual rooms and their separate bathrooms.

Every room has a bathroom.
The sentence tells us that all the rooms have bathrooms.

Each vs Every with Employees

The manager spoke to each employee separately.
The manager spoke to the employees one by one.

Every employee attended the meeting.
All employees attended the meeting.

Each vs Every with Days

Each day of the trip was different.
The days are being considered individually.

I exercise every day.
The action happens regularly on all days.

Each vs Every with Children

I gave each child a different book.
The children received books individually, and the books were different.

Every child needs a safe place to learn.
The statement applies generally to all children.

More Examples with Each

• Each answer is worth five points.

• Each of us has a different role.

• She thanked each guest personally.

• There is a lamp on each side of the bed.

• Each applicant received an interview time.

• The twins carried a bag in each hand.

• They each chose a different topic.

• Each of the books has a different cover.

More Examples with Every

• Every answer must be written clearly.

• Every passenger needs a ticket.

• She practices English every evening.

• Every member of the team attended the meeting.

• We visit our grandparents every weekend.

• The train arrives every 30 minutes.

• Every page of the book contains an illustration.

• Every applicant must submit the form.

Each or Every? Compare the Meaning

Everyday Conversation Examples

Here are a few natural examples you may hear in everyday conversations:

A: Did you check every answer?
B: Yes, I checked each one carefully.

A: Does every employee need an ID card?
B: Yes. Each employee receives one on their first day.

A: How often do you practice English?
B: I practice every morning.

These examples show the central difference clearly: each emphasizes individuals, while every emphasizes all members or repeated occurrences.

Common Mistakes with Each and Every

English learners often make mistakes with each and every because both words refer to members of a group. Here are some of the most common errors and how to correct them.

1. Using a Plural Noun After Each

When each comes directly before a noun, use a singular countable noun.

❌ Each students received a certificate.
✓ Each student received a certificate.

❌ Each rooms has a window.
✓ Each room has a window.

Remember:

Each + singular noun

2. Using a Plural Noun After Every

Every is also normally followed by a singular countable noun.

❌ Every students must complete the assignment.
✓ Every student must complete the assignment.

❌ Every employees received an email.
✓ Every employee received an email.

Remember:

Every + singular noun

3. Saying “Every of”

Do not use every of directly before a plural noun or pronoun.

❌ Every of the students passed.
❌ Every of them received a prize.

Instead, use every one of:

✓ Every one of the students passed.
✓ Every one of them received a prize.

Or use each of:

✓ Each of the students passed.
✓ Each of them received a prize.

4. Using a Plural Verb After “Each of”

The noun following each of is plural, but in standard constructions each normally takes a singular verb.

❌ Each of the students have a book.
✓ Each of the students has a book.

❌ Each of these rooms are different.
✓ Each of these rooms is different.

5. Confusing “Every” and “Everyone”

Every and everyone are not interchangeable.

Every normally comes before a singular noun:

✓ Every student was ready.

Everyone is a pronoun meaning every person:

✓ Everyone was ready.

Incorrect:

❌ Every was ready.
❌ Everyone student was ready.

6. Confusing “Everyday” and “Every Day”

Every day means each day and is commonly used to describe frequency.

• I study English every day.

• She walks to work every day.

Everyday is an adjective meaning ordinary, normal, or commonly used.

• These are everyday expressions.

• Walking is part of my everyday routine.

So:

✓ I practice English every day.
❌ I practice English everyday.

7. Thinking “Not Every” Means “None”

Not every usually means not all, not none.

Not every student passed the exam.

This means some students did not pass. It does not mean that all the students failed.

Compare:

• Not every student passed. → Some did not pass.

• No student passed. → None passed.

Quick Grammar Check

Before using each or every, remember these basic patterns:

• each + singular noun: each student

• every + singular noun: every student

• each of + plural noun/pronoun: each of the students, each of them

• every one of + plural noun/pronoun: every one of the students, every one of them

• every + time expression: every day, every week, every two hours

Avoid every of, and remember that each generally emphasizes individuals while every emphasizes all members of a group.

Conclusion

Each and every both refer to members of a group, but they differ in focus. Each emphasizes people or things individually, while every refers to all members of a group without exception.

Remember these simple rules:

• Each = one by one: Each student chose a different book.

• Every = all members: Every student completed the assignment.

• Use each of: Each of the students has a book.

• Do not use every of; use every one of instead: Every one of the students has a book.

• Use every for regular frequency: every day, every week, and every two hours.

When you’re unsure whether to use each or every, think about your intended focus. If you are considering members individually, choose each. If you mean all members of a group or something that happens regularly, choose every.

FAQs About Each vs Every

What is the main difference between each and every?

Each focuses on individual members of a group, while every refers to all members of a group without exception.

For example:

• Each student chose a different topic. → individual focus

• Every student completed the assignment. → all students

Can each and every be used interchangeably?

Sometimes, but not always. In some sentences, both are grammatically correct but create a slightly different emphasis.

• Each student received a certificate.

• Every student received a certificate.

The first focuses more on students individually, while the second emphasizes that all students received certificates.

Are each and every singular or plural?

Both each and every are normally followed by a singular countable noun and a singular verb.

• Each student has a book.

• Every student has a book.

Not:

• ❌ Each students have a book.

• ❌ Every students have a book.

Is it “each of them” or “every of them”?

Use each of them, not every of them.

✓ Each of them received a prize.
❌ Every of them received a prize.

If you want to use every, say:

✓ Every one of them received a prize.

Should I say “each person” or “every person”?

Both can be correct, depending on the meaning.

Use each person when emphasizing people individually:

• Each person received a different task.

Use every person when referring to everyone in the group:

• Every person must show identification.

What is the difference between “each day” and “every day”?

Both can mean on all the days, but their emphasis can differ.

Each day often treats individual days separately:

• Each day brought a new challenge.

Every day commonly describes a regular or repeated activity:

• I practice English every day.

Can “each” be used for two things?

Yes. Each can naturally refer to two people or things.

• She wore a ring on each hand.

• There was a chair on each side of the table.

This is one situation in which each is generally more natural than every.

Can I say “every of the students”?

No. Every of the students is incorrect.

Use either:

• Each of the students

• Every one of the students

For example:

✓ Each of the students has a textbook.
✓ Every one of the students has a textbook.

Does “not every” mean “none”?

No. Not every means not all.

• Not every student passed the exam.

This means that some students did not pass. It does not mean that no students passed.

Compare:

• Not every student passed. → Some did not pass.

• No student passed. → None passed.

You May Also Like

Continue improving your English grammar with these related guides:

• Pronouns in English: Types, Rules, and Examples
• Pronoun Cases in English: Subjective, Objective, and Possessive
• A Guide to Using Me and I Correctly
• Singular and Plural Nouns in English
• Common Mistakes in English Grammar
• Basic English Grammar Rules for Beginners