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7. EACH and EVERY

Each and every have basically the same meaning.

  • We use each when we are thinking of all people or things but seen as individuals. When we use every (person), we mean all (people, i.e. everyone).

EXAMPLE: Each person has two ears and a nose.
EXAMPLE: Every child deserves good education.

 

  • Each and every are used to refer to more than two.

EXAMPLE: Each member at the meeting had a free lunch.
EXAMPLE: Every member at the meeting had a free lunch.

 

  • Each can be used to mean only two while every can mean three or more or a large number.

EXAMPLE: Each player playing in the singles final has certain style. (= two players)
EXAMPLE: There were cars parked along every street in town. (= all the streets)

 

  • Each/every is used before a singular countable noun to talk about a whole group.

EXAMPLE: Each/every member of the gang was questioned for possible involvement in the crime.

 

  • We use of after each but not after every.

EXAMPLE: Each of the areas is given a postal code. / Each one of the areas is given a postal code.
EXAMPLE: Every of the areas is given a postal code. (INCORRECT)


  • Each can be used in the middle of a sentence or after a pronoun.

EXAMPLE: After the bitter quarrel, my girlfriend and I each went our separate ways.

 

  • Every can be used with some uncountable nouns.

EXAMPLE: He gave me every advice before I went for that climb.