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.
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')