each + singular noun + singular verbUse this pattern when the meaning is one by one inside a group.
Each and Every
B1Use each for one member at a time and every for all members in general. Both take a singular noun and a singular verb.
What you'll learn
- Choose each when the sentence looks at members separately.
- Choose every when the sentence covers the whole group.
- Use a singular noun after each and every.
- Use a singular verb after each and every.
- Use every in common time expressions like every day.
- Use each of before the, these, those, us, or them.
Structure
every + singular noun + singular verbUse this pattern when the meaning covers all members as a whole set.
each of + the/these/those/us/them + plural noun or object pronounUse each of before a defined group or object pronoun. Do not use every of.
Build a sentence
Context
Noun phrase
Eachstudentgetsa key
Each student gets a key.
Use each when you think about people one by one.
When to use
Separate attention
Use each when people or things are handled one by one: Each guest got a name tag.
Whole-group facts
Use every for a rule or fact that covers all members: Every seat has a number.
Regular time
Use every with repeated times: every day, every Friday, every month, every summer.
Before a set phrase
Use each of before the, these, those, us, or them: each of the boxes, each of us.
Markers
every dayevery weekevery monthevery yearevery Fridayevery morning
Common mistakes
Wrong
Each students has a locker.
Correct
Each student has a locker.
After each, use a singular noun.
Wrong
Every books is on the shelf.
Correct
Every book is on the shelf.
After every, use a singular noun.
Wrong
Each student are ready.
Correct
Each student is ready.
Each + singular noun takes a singular verb.
Wrong
Every of the students passed the test.
Correct
Each of the students passed the test.
Use each of before the, these, those, us, or them. Do not use every of.
Wrong
I call my parents each week.
Correct
I call my parents every week.
Regular time expressions normally use every: every day, every week, every month.
Common misconceptions
❝ Each and every are always fully interchangeable. ❞
Both can refer to all members, but each highlights one by one and every gives a general all-members meaning.
❝ Because the meaning includes many people or things, the noun after each or every should be plural. ❞
The meaning may be plural, but the form after each and every is singular: each student, every room.
Skills in this rule (6)
EACH_FOR_ONE_BY_ONEw5Use each when you look at group members one by one
Choose each when the speaker focuses on separate people or things inside a group. The idea is individual attention, not the group as a whole.
EVERY_FOR_ALL_MEMBERSw5Use every when you mean all members in a group
Choose every when a statement covers all people or things in the group together. The focus is total coverage, not separate treatment.
SINGULAR_NOUN_AFTER_EACH_EVERYw5Use a singular countable noun after each and every
After each and every, the noun stays singular: each student, every day. Do not use a plural noun directly after them.
SINGULAR_VERB_AFTER_EACH_EVERYw5Use a singular verb after each and every
The verb agrees with the singular noun after each or every: each child is, every answer was. Do not switch to a plural verb.
EVERY_IN_TIME_EXPRESSIONSw4Use every in regular time expressions
Use every with repeating times and periods such as every day, every week, every summer. This is the normal pattern for frequency.
EACH_WITH_OFw4Use each of before the, these, those, us, them
Use each of when the next word is the, these, those, us, or them: each of the rooms, each of them. Do not put every before of in this pattern.