Each and every
Each and every are similar in meaning. It is often possible to use both each or every.
• Each time (or every time) I see you, you look different.
• There's a telephone in each room (or every room) of the house.
But each and every are not exactly the same. Read below to see:
We use each when we think of things separately, one by one.
• Study each sentence carefully. (= study the sentences one by one) Each is more usual for a small number: • There were four books on the table. Each book was a different colour. • (in a card game) At the beginning of the game, each player has three cards. |
We use every when we think of things as a group. The meaning is similar to all.
• Every sentence must have a subject. (= all sentences in general) Every is more usual for a large number: • Carol loves reading. She has read every book in the library. (= all the books) • I would like to visit every country in the world. (= all the countries) |
Important: each (but not every) can be used for two things:
• In a football match, each team has 11 players. (not "every team")
We use every (not each) to say how often something happens:
• "How often do you go shopping?" " Every day" (not "each day")
• There's a bus every ten minutes. (not "each ten minutes")
Compare the structures we use with each and every:
You can use each with a noun: each book each student You can use each alone (without a noun): Or you can use each one: You can say each of (the.../these... etc.): • Each of the books is a different color. Also each of us/you/them: |
You can use every with a noun: every book every student You can say every one (but not every alone): • "hHave you read all these books?" "Yes, every one." You can say every one of... (but not "every of...") • I've read every one of those books. (not " every of those books") • I've read every one of them. |
You can also use each in the middle or at the end of a sentence. For example:
• The students were each given a book. (= Each student was given a book)
• These oranges cost 25 pence each.
Difference between: Everyone and every one
Everyone (one word) is only for people (= everybody).
Every one (two words) is for things or people, and is similar to each one:
• Everyone enjoyed the party. (= everybody...)
• He is invited to lots of parties and he goes to every one. (= to every party)
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Is it corect to use "each and every" in order to emphasise the idea? Such as: I'll supervise each and every detail of the presentation?
Thankyou, Mi
Some people do, but to me it comes across as irritatingly hyperbolic.
Thanks for your straightforward untangling of the each/every grammatical conundrum. I happened upon your site by chance, but serendipitously so.
Thanks !