Everything or Every thing: Which Is Correct?
Updated · Which One Is Correct editorial team
Quick answer: The short answer is that everything is the standard and correct spelling for most contexts. However, every thing is not technically wrong; it is simply rare and serves a specific rhetorical purpose. Knowing the difference ensures your writing looks professional and conveys the exact nuance you intend to your readers.
The Short Answer
Everything is the standard spelling, while every thing is a rare variant that emphasizes each single item in a group. Use the closed compound for general statements about all items without exception.
People often confuse these two because they sound identical and share the same meaning in most contexts. Writers may mistakenly split the word thinking it adds clarity, not realizing it drastically changes the focus of the sentence.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Form | Status | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| everything | Standard | Referring to all things collectively |
| every thing | Rare/Emphatic | Stressing individual items separately |
| everything | Adverbial/Noun | Describing total scope or completeness |
| every thing | Noun Phrase | Listing distinct components one by one |
Correct Example Sentences
- Please pack everything you own into these three small suitcases.
- I tried everything to fix the leak, but nothing seemed to work.
- Before we leave, check that every thing on the list is accounted for.
- She believed that everything happens for a reason in the grand scheme.
- Every thing in this museum has a fascinating history attached to it.
- You can find everything you need at the local hardware store.
- Make sure every thing is packed securely to avoid damage during transit.
- He ate everything on his plate without leaving a single crumb.
- The chef inspected every thing in the kitchen before closing up shop.
- Despite the chaos, everything eventually fell into place by noon.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- I want to buy every thing in this shop.
- I want to buy everything in this shop.
- She did every thing possible to help him succeed.
- She did everything possible to help him succeed.
- We need to pack every thing for the trip by Sunday.
- We need to pack everything for the trip by Sunday.
- He knows every thing about car engines and repairs.
- He knows everything about car engines and repairs.
- Is every thing ready for the big presentation tomorrow?
- Is everything ready for the big presentation tomorrow?
- The storm destroyed every thing in the entire neighborhood.
- The storm destroyed everything in the entire neighborhood.
A Quick Test You Can Use
Ask yourself if you are referring to a collective whole or distinct individual items. If you mean all items as a group, use the single word everything. If you need to stress each separate object individually, use the two-word phrase every thing.
Related Word Pairs
- alot vs a lot
- Use a lot for quantity; alot is never correct.
- its vs it's
- Use its for possession; use it's for it is.
- your vs you're
- Use your for possession; use you're for you are.
- then vs than
- Use then for time; use than for comparisons.
- affect vs effect
- Use affect as a verb; use effect as a noun.
More Example Sentences
- The librarian asked the patron to return every thing they had checked out last month.
- Her positive attitude influenced everything around her, from the office mood to the project timeline.
- Please verify that every thing in the cargo hold is properly labeled for customs.
- He attempted everything he could think of to restart the old engine.
- During the audit, the inspector reviewed every thing in the financial ledger.
- Nature provided everything necessary for the campers to survive the weekend.
- She organized every thing on her desk before the important meeting began.
- Technology has changed everything about how we communicate with distant relatives.
- The teacher reminded students to bring every thing they might need for the science lab.
- Nothing could replace the feeling of accomplishment after finishing everything on the to-do list.
Quick Practice
She searched in the house for her missing keys.
every thing
We bought we needed for the barbecue at the store.
everything
Please ensure in the box is labeled with the destination.
every thing
He knows about vintage motorcycles and their maintenance.
everything
The artist considered on the canvas before adding the final brushstroke.
every thing
It seems like is going wrong with the computer system today.
everything
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every thing ever correct in standard English?
Yes, every thing is correct when you want to emphasize each individual item separately rather than the collective group.
Why do spell checkers often flag every thing?
Spell checkers flag it because everything is the standard form. The split version is so rare that algorithms often treat it as an error.
Can I use everything and every thing interchangeably?
No, they carry different nuances. Using them interchangeably can confuse readers about whether you mean a group or individual items.
Does the rule change in British English?
No, the rule remains the same. Everything is standard in both American and British English, while every thing is rare in both.
