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Using "Each" and "Every"

In English, "each" and "every" are determiners, a type of adjective used to indicate the quantity or scope of the noun they precede.

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In many instances, the words "each" and "every" are, in fact, interchangeable. 

 

Michael spends two months in the Sea of Cortez every winter.

Caption 3, Nature Preservation: Saving Valentina

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The mule deer bucks are re-growing their antlers, which they shed each winter.

Captions 31-32, America's National Parks: Yosemite

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However, examining these words more closely, we can see that while "every" is used to refer to all items in a group without exception, "each" is often used to refer to individual items within a group, emphasizing them one by one. 

 

Every penny of which will help children all over the world...

Caption 41, British Airways safety video: director's cut

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So now, because every good meal requires vegetables, I have decided to add some tomatoes and some lettuce.

Captions 22-23, Abiventures: Sandwich

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In nineteen ninety-two, they started releasing them, each clearly numbered, into the wild.

Captions 16-17, America's National Parks: Grand Canyon

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So, each king not knowing about the others, set out to follow the star.

Caption 10, Children's Books Read Aloud: The Story of the Three Wise Kings

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Unlike "each," "every" cannot be used when there are only two items or people in a group.. If this ever comes up and you have to decide which word to use, pick the word "each." Note below that an airplane only has two sides, and only two people are being referred to with "each other."

 

There are six exits on this plane, four doors, two on each side.

Caption 43, Delta Airlines: In-Flight Safety Video

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Maria's mother and Clark looked at each other and frowned.

Caption 13, Basic Vocabulary: Common Words in Context

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Further Learning
You'll find many examples of "each" and "every" in use on Yabla English

 

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