Grammar
Quantifiers : “Each” and “Every”
1st Part
Countable VS Uncountable
2nd Part
“Each” and “Every”
3rd Part
“Some” and “Any”
Grammar in use
- Topic : “Each” and “Every”
- Skills : Grammar
Use
Non-native English speakers often hesitate between “each” and “every”, because they have similarities.
They are both used with singular countable nouns. Therefore they are both followed by a verb in the singular. But often they are not exactly the same.
Differences between “each” and “every”
We use “each” when we consider things separately, one by one.
Example:
Try each dessert and let me know the one you like best. (try the desserts one by one)
We use “every” when we consider things as a group. We can replace it by “all”.
Example:
I wish I could try every dessert in the menu. (try all the desserts)
Compare the use of ‘each’ and ‘every’. Can we use ‘each’ and ‘every’ in these situations?
| Situations | Can we use “each”? | Can we use “every”? |
|---|---|---|
| Talking about 2 things | He carries a bag in each hand. | X |
| Talking about frequency | X | I play tennis every Sunday. |
| Using it at the end of a sentence | They cost $2 each. | X |
| Using it alone, without a noun | The candidates were smart. Each had an interesting profile. | X |
| Using it with “one” and “of” | I spoke to each of them. I read each one. I want one of each kind. | I saw every one of them. = I saw every one. |
Language Tip: “everyone” vs “every one”
There is a difference between “everyone” and “every one”:
everyone = for people only, means all the people (everybody)
every one = for people or things, is similar to ‘each one’
Examples:
Everyone was on time. (= Everybody was on time.)
He buys a lot of magazines and reads every one. (= every magazine)
The words “everybody” and “everyone” are followed by a verb in the singular, but the words referring to them are plural.
Examples:
Everybody is there, aren’t they?
Everyone has their own idea about that. (= Everyone has his or her own idea about that).
It is possible to use them together: “each and every” is used to insist.
Example:
Sarah speaks to her mother each and every day.
Answer the following questions