“Each” and “every” are determiners used to refer to individuals in a group or set.
Overview
| Each | Every |
| Emphasises the individual | Emphasises the group as a whole |
| Determiner, adverb and pronoun | Determiner |
| Use with two or more objects | Use when three or more objects |
| “Each of” + plural nouns | “Every one of” + plural nouns |
| To say how often something happens | |
| Usually with small numbers | Usually with large numbers |
| Use with “almost,” “practically” or “nearly” |
Differences
1. Individuals or a group.
Although they are often interchangeable, “each” emphasises the individuals in a group and “every” emphasises the group as a whole.
- “Each member should contribute to the group meetings.”
- “Every member should contribute to the group meetings.”
- “Each new book gets a unique ID code when they get registered on the database.”
- “Every book in the library should have a unique ID code.”
2. “Each” can also be used as an adverb and a pronoun.
As an adverb, it can be put at the end of a clause or sentence.
- “The skirts cost $10 each.”
- “There should be five pages in total. Please take one of each.”
As a pronoun, it doesn’t have to be followed by a noun.
- “There are three paintings in this series. Each is inspired by different stages of his life.”
- “The rooms were all different. Each had its own unique theme.”
3. Only use “each” when there are two objects.
With two objects, only “each” can be used.
- “She wore rings on each hand.”
Not – “She wore rings on every hand.”
With three or more objects, “each” and “every” are interchangeable.
- “I ticked off each item on my grocery list.”
- “I ticked off every item on my grocery list.”
4. With “of” – “Each of” and “every one of.”
“Each” can be followed by plural nouns and pronouns if it is also followed by “of.”
- “Each of the plants were carefully pruned and watered.”
- “I was told each of them received a farewell gift.”
With “every,” we have to use “every one of.”
- “Every one of the plants was carefully pruned and watered.”
- “I was told every one of them received a farewell gift.”
5. Use “every” to say how often something happens.
- “I go to the gym every day.”
- “There should be a bus that comes by every hour.”
6. Small or big numbers.
Although interchangeable, it is more usual to use “each” with small numbers and “every” with big numbers.
- “When we inspected the house, each room had a different wallpaper.”
- “Each player gets to take an extra card at the start of every round.”
- “Every chip was carefully coated with seasoning.”
- “Every student deserves to be considered for scholarship.”
7. “Almost,” “practically” and “nearly” should be used with “every.”
- “Almost every fortune cookie contains a fortune.”
Not – “Almost each fortune cookie contains a fortune.”
- “Practically every household has a connected device.”
Not – “Practically each household has a connected device.”
- “Nearly every seat was taken in the cinema.”
Not – “Nearly each seat was taken in the cinema.”
Although using “each” would be understandable in all of these examples, they would be grammatically incorrect.
Original post: 31 August 2020
Along Came English 