All vs Every

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

 AllEvery
MeaningEverything or everyone, without exception.all the things in a group without exception
CEFR levelA1A1
Part of speechdeterminerdeterminer
Usage notesUse 'all' in both spoken and written English when referring to the entirety of a group. Avoid using 'all' when referring to a specific subset, as it implies inclusivity.Use 'every' when referring to each individual item in a group. It's not used with plural nouns or uncountable nouns. For example, it's correct to say 'every student,' but not 'every students.'

Frequently asked questions: All vs Every

What's the difference between "All" and "Every"?

"All" means: Everything or everyone, without exception. "Every" means: all the things in a group without exception

When should I use "All" and "Every"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "All" and "Every" the same CEFR level?

"All" is at A1, "Every" is at A1 on the CEFR scale.

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