Difference between Each and Every

June 2023 · 2 minute read
Key difference: ‘Each’ and ‘Every’ are determiners, which are used to express quantity. The term ‘each’ is used to specify only one thing; whereas, the term ‘every’ is used to specify all the constituents among the group.

‘Each’ is used along with the countable nouns in a sentence. It is a determiner word basically used with a singular noun, in order to indicate the specific 'one' quantity. It is used to express the importance of that object. It suppresses and focuses on that thing. It is generally used in case of two objects, where it suppresses the specific needed object and its requirements. It is also used as pronoun.

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‘Every’ is used for referring to all the objects included in a group. It is used in reference to generalize something. The word indicates the involvement of all the constituents. It is also used as an adverb; it is generally used to combine all the objects. It reflects the idea in a single point of view.  It describes the entire things as a whole. It sometimes helps in explaining the comparison of a specific term with more general terms. ‘Every’ is also used to refer to repeated, regular events.

For example:

The words ‘each’ and ‘every’ are usually used together, as ‘each and every’ in common English.

For example:

Comparison between Each and Every:

Each

Every

Meaning according to Dictionary.com

“every one of two or more considered individually or one by one”.

“being one of a group or series taken collectively; each”

Origin

Before 900 in Middle English.

1125–75 in Middle English.

Indicate

Used to indicate one object.

Used to indicate all the objects.

Purpose

This word sometimes separates the objects from a group.

This word always combines the objects from a group.

Used as

Used as adjective, pronoun and adverb.

Used as adjective and idioms.

Examples

each stone in a building;

a hallway with a door at each end.

We go there every day.

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