Each and every

Each and every

A. Each and every are similar in meaning. Often it is possible to use each or every:

* Each time (or Every time) I see you, you took different.

* There's a telephone in each room (or every room) of the house.

But each and every are not exactly the same. Study the difference:

#1 We use each when we think of things separately, one by one.

* Study each sentence carefully. (= study the sentences one by one)

Each is more usual for a small number:

* There were four books on the table.

Each book was a different colour.

* (in a card game) At the beginning of the game, each player has three cards.

#2 We use every when we think of things as a group. The meaning is similar to all.

* Every sentence must have a verb. (= all sentences in general)

Every is more usual for a large number:

* Carol loves reading. She has read every book in the library. (=all the books)

* I would like to visit every country in the world. (=all the countries)

Each (but not every) can be used for two things:

* In a football match, each team has 11 players. (not 'every team')

We use every (not each) to say how often something happens:

* 'How often do you go shopping?' 'Every day.' (not 'each day')

* There's a bus every ten minutes. (not 'each ten minutes')

B. Compare the structures we use with each and every:

#1 You can use each with a noun: each book, each student

You can use each alone (without a noun):

* None of the rooms was the same. Each was different. (= each room)

Or you can use each one:

* Each one was different.

You can say each of (the.../these... etc.):

* Read each of these sentences carefully.

* Each of the books is a different colour.

Also each of us/you/them:

* Each of them is a different colour.

#2 You can use every with a noun: every book, every student,

You can say every one (but not every alone):

* 'Have you read all these books?' 'Yes, every one.'

You can say every one of ... (but not 'every of ...')

* I've read every one of those books. (not 'every of those books')

* I've read every one of them.

C. You can also use each in the middle or at the end of a sentence. For example:

* The students were each given a book. (=Each student was given a book.)

* These oranges cost 25 pence each.

D. Everyone and every one

Everyone (one word) is only for people (='everybody'). Every one (two words) is for things or people, and is

similar to each one (see Section B):

* Everyone enjoyed the party. (=Everybody...)

* He is invited to lots of parties and he goes to every one. (=to every party)