Each and every both refer to all the members of a group, but each looks at them one by one, while every covers the whole group at once, “all without exception”. Often both are possible: each day and every day. The difference shows in the patterns: only each can come before of, and only each works when there are just two things.
each or every — can you pick the right one?
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each/every + singular noun; each of + the/my + plural noun; every + two/few + days/weeks; cost + price + each
- Our manager spoke to each of us separately after the meeting.
- I go to the gym every morning before work, even in winter.
- The museum tickets cost twelve pounds each, which seemed quite expensive.
What changed
First versionEvery of my friends has a car.
RevisionEach of my friends has a car.
Every of looks like a natural way to say “all the people in this group, one by one”, but every is never used directly before of. For that meaning you need each of; if you want every, you have to add one: every one of my friends. Only the first word was changed in the correction.
Every is used for things that repeat at intervals: every two weeks, every other day, meaning once a fortnight and on alternate days. Each is not used this way. On the other hand, each can come at the end: The rooms cost £80 each. Every cannot go at the end of a sentence.
Your turn
There are only two bedrooms upstairs, and ___ bedroom has its own bathroom.
Show the answer
each — There are only two bedrooms, and every is used when there are three or more things. So the answer is each. Every bedroom would sound as if there were lots of bedrooms.
Describe a typical week. Use every to say what you do regularly and each of to talk about the people around you.
I call my parents every Sunday, and each of my colleagues works from home on a different day.
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