Each or Every: Which Is Correct?
Updated · Which One Is Correct editorial team
Quick answer: When writing, choose each or every based on whether you address group members individually or collectively. Each refers to members one at a time within a group of two or more, while every refers to all members of a group considered together, normally requiring three or more items.
The Short Answer
Each refers to the members of a group one at a time and can be used for two or more, whereas every refers to all members of a group considered together, normally three or more.
People confuse these terms because they often appear in similar contexts regarding groups, but the distinction lies in whether the focus is on individual items or the entire collective set without exception.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Form | Status | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Each | Determiner | Selecting individual members from a group of two or more |
| Every | Determiner | Addressing the entire group as a single unit of three or more |
| Both | Determiners | Functioning as modifiers for singular nouns |
| Both | Pronouns | Standing alone to replace nouns in sentences |
Correct Example Sentences
- Each student must submit an assignment before the deadline.
- Every student must submit an assignment before the deadline.
- Each of the two cats has a favorite toy.
- Every of the three cats has a favorite toy is incorrect; use each here.
- I checked each page of the document for errors.
- I checked every page of the document for errors.
- Each person received a gift from the host.
- Every person received a gift from the host.
- Please consider each option before making your choice.
- Please consider every option before making your choice.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- Every person in the room received a card.
- Each person in the room received a card.
- We visited each city on the map.
- We visited every city on the map.
- Every of the two books is mine.
- Each of the two books is mine.
- She loves each flower in the garden.
- She loves every flower in the garden.
- Every team member must wear a badge.
- Each team member must wear a badge.
- The winner gets every prize available.
- The winner gets each prize available.
A Quick Test You Can Use
To determine the correct choice, ask yourself if you are looking at individual members one by one or the whole group at once; if it is individual members, select each, but if you are encompassing the entire group without exception, select every.
Related Word Pairs
- Some vs Any
- Use some for positive statements and any for questions or negative statements.
- Few vs Little
- Use few with countable nouns and little with uncountable nouns.
- All vs Both
- Use all for three or more items and both specifically for two items.
- Most vs Most of
- Use most alone before nouns and most of before specific groups.
- Another vs Other
- Use another for a single additional item and other for multiple different items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use each and every interchangeably?
No, you cannot use them interchangeably because each focuses on individual members of a group of two or more, while every focuses on all members of a group of three or more considered together as a single unit.
What is the minimum number for each?
The minimum number for using each is two, as it refers to members of a group one at a time and can be applied to any group containing two or more distinct items.
Is every used for a group of two?
No, every is normally reserved for groups of three or more, whereas each is the appropriate choice when referring to the members of a group of two or more one at a time.
Are both words singular or plural?
Both words function as singular determiners or pronouns, meaning they modify or replace singular nouns even when they refer to multiple items or a large collection within a group.
