Use of 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 look 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:

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.

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:

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.

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.