English 24
18th January 2003
A little bit of GRAMMAR

Hi guys this week we talked about the difference between each and every. So here are the explanations and examples in writing, so take your time and read carefully.
So to recap, from today's programme, Each and Every are determiners. Determiners come in two groups A and B. Group A determiners help to identify things, they say whether they are known or unknown to the listener, which one(s) the speaker is talking about, or whether the speaker is thinking of particular examples or speaking in general. Now Group B determiners are a little different, as the major part of these are quantifiers, that is they say how much or how many we are talking about. But what this lesson is really about is the difference between each and every. So let's get started:

1. Each and Every - the difference
We use each with two or more and every with three or more. Each and every are both normally used with singular nouns.
§ Each can be used to talk about two or more people or things;
§ Every is normally used to talk about three or more people or things.

§ The business makes less money each/every year (not each/every years)
§ She had a child holding on to each hand (not every hand- as she only has 2 hands!)

1. (i) Difference of meaning
In many cases, both each and every can be used without much difference of meaning. As we saw in one of the examples above and as you can see in the example below.
§ You look more beautiful each/every time I see you.

Therefore think of the following as a rough guideline for when to use each/every.
We prefer each when we are thinking of people or things separately, one at a time.
And every is more common when we are thinking of people or things together, in a group. (every is closer to all)
Compare :
§ Each person in turn went to see the doctor.
§ He gave every patient the same medicine.

We do not use each with words and expressions like almost, practically, nearly or without exception, as all these stress the idea of a whole group.
She's lost nearly every friend she had. (NOT nearly each friend..)

I also thought it might be a good idea to go over a few examples with every.

Every
Every + singular
As we said earlier, every is a determiner and we normally use it before a singular noun. If the noun is the subject, then it's verb is also singular.
I see her every day (not every days)
Every room is being used (NOT every room are)

Negative structures with every
To negate every, we normally use; not every
§ Not every kind of bird can fly (which is more natural than every kind of bird cannot fly)

Every + plural
§ Every is used before a plural noun in expressions that refer to intervals.
§ I see her every few days
§ There's a meeting every six weeks
§ She had to stop and rest every two or three steps

Everybody etc.
Everybody, everyone, everything and everywhere are used with singular verbs:
§ Everybody has gone to the match (not everybody have )
§ Everything I like is either illegal, immoral or fattening
§ I found that everywhere was booked up until October.
§ Everyone looks exhausted this afternoon.

Another little tip for using every is when possessives and pronouns refer back to everybody/everyone. These can usually be either singular (which is more formal) or plural (which is less formal).
§ Has everybody got his or her passport? More formal
§ Has everybody got their passport? Less formal

But sometimes only a plural word makes sense. Check out the sentence below:
§ When everybody had finished eating, mum took away their plates. (NOT … his or her plate)
N.B. everyone: meaning everybody, does not mean the same as every one (which can refer to things as well as people)

Everyday
Everyday is an adjective meaning ordinary, usual, routine. Be careful as it is not the same as the adverbial expression every day .
Check out:
§ In everyday life, (nella vita di tutti giorni) you don't often find a giraffe in a supermarket.
§ You don't see giraffes every day

Common expressions using every
Have a look at the following common expressions and see if you can put them into your own English conversations.
Every single
§ Sam visits her father every single day.
Every other
§ Stephen goes out for a drink with the lads* from footie** every other Friday.
Every so often, every now and then
§ I meet up with Sarah every so often.

*ragazzi; ** football (la sua squadra di calcio)

An easy practice exercise
When neccesary put the verb in brackets into the correct form.

1. But practically _ teacher (attend) the schools sports day!

2. After 6 months touring Asia, I don't know how I'm going to cope with regular _ office life!

3.How often do you see your father, Clare?
Ø Not as often as I'd like, probably only about _ three weeks.
Ø Really, I see mine _ _ day.

4. Peter, how often do you have to take your medicine?
Ø I have to take two tablets and 3 spoonfuls of medicine _ four hours.

5. We have quite a good public transport system, the metro runs _ 6 minutes and the busses are _ 10 minutes.

6. But mum why won't you let me go to the party? Almost _ I know will be there!

Answers
1. every; attends
2. everyday
3. every; every single
4. every
5. every; every
6. everybody/everyone