Each vs Every in English Grammar
Each and Every are two words in English language that have to be understood with difference as there exists a significant difference between each and every in English Grammar. Each is a determiner, pronoun as well as an adverb. However, every is only used as a determiner in the English language. Moreover, every comes from the Old English words ǣfre ǣlc. On the other hand, each comes from the Old English word ǣlc. Both each and every are also used in a number of phrases employed in the English language. For example, each and every, every bit as, every last, etc.
What does Each mean?
Each is used as a determiner with a countable noun as in the sentence given below.
Each month is better than the previous one in terms of profit earned.
In this sentence, the word each is used as a determiner.
It is important to note that ‘each of’ is used especially when there is another determiner as in the example given below.
Each of my uncles gave me gifts for my birthday.
In this sentence, the plurality of the determiner is understood from the possessive formative element ‘my’ and hence the use of ‘each’ is followed by the preposition ‘of’.
On the other hand, each separates. In other words, each is said to separate things as in the expression ‘each violinist’ or ‘each player’. Observe the following sentence:
Each violinist exhibits his own skill of playing the bow.
In the sentence given above, the use of each indicates separation among violinists. This is the main difference between the usage of the words each and every.
What does Every mean?
On the other hand, every puts people or things into a group. Its usage is something like that of the word all. Every is used to generalize. In other words, it can be said that the purpose of the word every is to generalize. Have a look at the following example.
Every professional singer practices singing for at least four hours a day.
In the example given above, the purpose of the use of every is used in the sense of a group comprising all the professional singers.
What is the difference between Each and Every in English Grammar?
• Each is used as a determiner with a countable noun.
• It is important to note that ‘each of’ is used especially when there is another determiner.
• On the other hand, every puts people or things into a group.
• Its usage is something like that of the word all.
• The word every is used to generalize.
• On the other hand, the word each separates. In other words, each is said to separate things.
Despite all these differences that exist between each and every in English grammar, it is interesting to note that sometimes both are used without any sort of difference what so ever as in the sentence given below.
You look sad every time or each time I see you.
In this sentence, you can see that either each or every can be used with the same effect.
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