We can use each (of) and every with singular countable nouns to mean all things or people in a group of two or more each (of) or three or more every.
Example:
- The program is on every (or each) weekday morning at 10:00.
- Each (or every) ticket costs $ 40.
NOTE
Ø We use a singular verb after each (of) and every.
Example: Following the flood, every building in the area needs major repair work. (not…need…)
Ø However, when each follows the noun or pronoun it refers to, the noun and verb are plural.
Example: Every student is rested twice a year. They are each given a hundred questions to do.
Ø Notice that we use they, their and them to refer back to phrases such as ‘each soldier’, ‘every candidate’ etc. which do not indicate a specific gender (male or female).
Compare:
- Each woman complained that she (or they) had been unfairly treated.
- Every candidate said that they thought the interview was too long.
2). EACH AND EVERY WITH LITTLE DIFFERENT IN MEANING
Often we use every or each (of) with little difference in meaning.
a). We use every:
Ø with almost, nearly, virtually, etc. that emphasize we are talking about a group as a whole.
Example: Almost every visitor stopped and stared. (not Almost each visitor…)
Ø if we are talking about a large group with an indefinite number of things or people in it.
Example:
- Before I met Daniel, I thought every small child liked sweets! (rather than…each…)
- Every new car now has to be fitted with seat belts. (rather than…each…)
Ø with a plural noun when every is followed by a number.
Example: I go to the dentist every six months. (rather than…each six months)
Ø in phrases referring to regular or repeated events such as every other (kilometer), every single (day), every so often, every few (months), every now and again (= occasionally).
Ø with abstract uncountable noun such as chance, confidence, hope, reason, and sympathy to show a positive attitude to what we are saying. Here every means ‘complete’ or ‘total’.
Example: She has every chance of success in her application for the job.
b). We use each:
Ø if we are thinking about the individual members of the group.
Compare:
- We greeted each guest as they entered. (Emphasizes that we greeted them individually)
- We greeted every guest as they entered. (Means something like ‘all the guests’)
3). ALL AND EVERY
When we use all (with plural or uncountable nouns) or every (with singular countable nouns) to talk about things or people in a group they have a similar meaning.
Example:
- Have you eaten all the apples?
- He ate every apple in the house.
NOTE: However, when we use all or every to talk about time, their meaning is usually different.
Example:
- John stayed all weekend. (= the whole of the week)
- John stayed every weekend when he was at the university. (= without exception)
