All, Every and Each helps you communicate about totality, repeated inclusion and individual focus. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can choose all, every and each according to whether a group is viewed collectively or individually.
- Recognise and build the form: all + plural/uncountable; every/each + singular count noun.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use All, Every and Each for totality, repeated inclusion and individual focus. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
All the students completed the survey.
Use 'all + the + plural noun' to refer to the complete group.
Each student must submit a separate form.
Use 'each + singular noun' to focus on members individually.
The bus runs every fifteen minutes.
Use 'every + singular time unit' for regular intervals.
all + plural/uncountable; every/each + singular count nounKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- Use 'all + the + plural noun' to refer to the complete group.
- Use 'each + singular noun' to focus on members individually.
- Use 'every + singular time unit' for regular intervals.
- Use 'all day' for the complete duration.
- Use 'each of + plural determiner noun' with a singular verb.
Common mistakes
Not:Every the students completed the survey.
Use:All the students completed the survey.
Use 'all + the + plural noun' to refer to the complete group.
Not:All student must submit a separate form.
Use:Each student must submit a separate form.
Use 'each + singular noun' to focus on members individually.
Not:The bus runs all fifteen minutes.
Use:The bus runs every fifteen minutes.
Use 'every + singular time unit' for regular intervals.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
I spent ____ day preparing the presentation.
all
Use 'all day' for the complete duration.
____ of the answers was checked twice.
Each
Use 'each of + plural determiner noun' with a singular verb.
She has visited ____ country in Southeast Asia.
every
Use 'every + singular noun' to include all members of a group.