Each vs Every — Exercises
Practice the difference between each and every: individuals vs group, 'each of' vs the ban on 'every of', fixed expressions like 'every other day'. Fill-blank and error-correction exercises.
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___ student in the class passed the final exam.
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Every
The class has many students, so use 'every'. 'Both' and 'either' are only for two.
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There's a bus into town ___ ten minutes.
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every
'Every ten minutes' is the natural phrase for repeated time intervals.
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___ of the twins looks exactly like their mother.
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Each
The singular verb 'looks' fits 'each' (one by one). 'Both' needs a plural verb, and 'every' cannot take 'of'.
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___ room in the hotel has a sea view.
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Every
A hotel has many rooms, so use 'every'. 'Both' and 'either' are only for two.
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___ the answers in the test was completely wrong.
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Each of
'Each' can take 'of'; 'every' cannot — 'each of the answers'.
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The teacher spoke to ___ separately about the exam.
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each student
'Each' and 'every' are followed by a singular noun — 'each student'.
Each vs Every: Individuals and Groups
Each and every both mean 'all members of a set' and both take singular nouns and singular verbs — but they differ in focus and grammar. Each views items one by one (distributive); every views the complete group (collective). The most reliable diagnostic test is the 'of' rule: each can be followed by 'of' ('each of the students'), while every cannot — 'every of the students' is always wrong. Cambridge learner data shows that 'every of' errors appear in approximately 15% of B1 texts that contain the word 'every', making it one of the most consistent quantifier errors at this level. A secondary error is using 'each' with a plural noun: 'each students' instead of 'each student'.
Each — Focus on Individuals
'Each' is used when the speaker considers members of a group one at a time. It works with two or more items and can appear before a singular noun or before 'of'.
Each of the rooms has its own bathroom. ('each of' + the + plural noun)
Each of us has a different opinion.
Every — Focus on the Whole Group
'Every' is used for groups of three or more when the speaker emphasises completeness. It cannot be followed by 'of' directly.
There's a supermarket on every corner in this neighbourhood.
I go to the gym every other day. (fixed expression: alternate days)
The 'of' Rule: Each ✓, Every ✗
The teacher gave each of the children a small gift. ✓
Every of the answers was incorrect. ✗ → Each of the answers was incorrect. ✓
Common Mistakes
✗ Every of the answers was incorrect. → ✓ Each of the answers was incorrect. ('every' cannot take 'of')
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