What is the difference between each and every?

Each looks at people or things one by one and can be used for two; every looks at the whole group and needs three or more. Two hands? Each hand. For a big group seen as a whole, or how often something happens (every day), use every.

Each vs Every: What's the Difference?

Each vs Every at a glance

each
/iːtʃ/ · determiner / pronoun
Every one of two or more things, seen one at a time.
- Each student gets their own login.
- She has a ring on each hand.
“each” in the vocabulary guide
every
/ˈevri/ · determiner
All the members of a group of three or more, seen together.
- I go to the gym every morning.
- Every seat on the train was taken.
“every” in the vocabulary guide

How to remember it

Two hands? Each hand. For a big group seen as a whole, or how often something happens (every day), use every.

Good to know

Both take a singular noun and a singular verb: "Each room has a TV." Only each can stand alone or go before "of": "each of us", "They cost £5 each." Use "every one of" instead: "every one of us". For how often, use every: "every week", "every two hours".

Common mistakes

Wrong: He had a bag in every hand.
Right: He had a bag in each hand.
Wrong: Every of the players got a medal.
Right: Each of the players got a medal.
Wrong: Every students has a locker.
Right: Every student has a locker.

Quick quiz

1.The bus leaves fifteen minutes.
2. of the twins has a different hobby.
3.I've read book in this series.

Pick the right word for each gap.