Main Difference – Each vs. Every
Both words, each and every are used with singular nouns and have similar meanings. We use both words to refer to individuals in a group. However, they cannot be used interchangeably as their meaning is not identical. The main difference between Each and Every is that each stresses individual components, people of a group, while every stresses all the components or members of the group.
Each – Meaning and Usage
Each is used to refer to individual things in a group or a list containing two or more things. It is always used with singular nouns and, therefore, the verb is also conjugated in the singular (if each is used with the subject). For example, look at the sentences below.
Each one of you has to give 10$
I checked each box to make sure that there were no faults.
Each child was given a pen and paper to write.
Each can also be used as an adverb. In such instances, each is placed after a noun or an amount.
The pens cost 10$ each.
Ria and Nadia have a glass each.
Each can also be used directly with ‘of’ in sentences.
each of + pronoun – She got presents from each of her brothers’
each of + determiner + noun – Each of the children received a special present.
Each refers to individuals in the group.
Every – Meaning and Usage
Every is used before a singular noun to refer to all the people or things in a group. However, remember that Every is used only if a group contains more than 2 components. For example,
He went to school everyday.
Every one of you is important to us.
Every country has the right to handle their own problems.
Every is also used before an amount to indicate how often something is happening.
Buses to Goa leave every 2 hours.
He goes home every third weekend of the month.
Adverbs like almost and nearly are also used with Each. But note that they cannot be used with each.
Nearly every car in the garage is new.
He revealed almost everything to her.
Every is also used for emphasis. For example, “You have every right to be angry with me.”
Every refers to all the individuals in the group.
Some people also use the two words, each and every together, for emphatic effect. ‘Each and every’ is similar to the meaning of every single one or every last one. For example,
I look forward to each and every one of you.
We should make use of each and every opportunity.
Each and every student must register for the by tomorrow.
Difference Between Each and Every
Meaning
Each stresses the individual components in a group.
Every refers to all the components in a group.
Group
Each is used with a group containing two or more people.
Every is used with a group containing three or more people.
Grammatical Forms
Each can be used as a determiner, pronoun and adverb.
Every is used a determiner.
Usage with ‘Of’
Each can be directly used with of (each of )
Every cannot be used directly with of
