Cool MateEach vs Every vs Individual
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Each
Every
Individual
| Each | Every | Individual | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/iːtʃ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/iːtʃ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈevri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈevri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Every one from a group | all the things in a group without exception | A single person or thing. |
| Example | Each answer is worth 20 points. | Every student in the class passed the exam. | Each individual has their own unique experiences. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | determiner | noun | |
| Collocations | each person, each item, each time | every day, every month, every time | outstanding, talented, key, class, group, treat somebody as, differ, vary, no one individual, no single individual, any one individual, outstanding, talented, key, class, group, treat somebody as, differ, vary, no one individual, no single individual, any one individual |
| Antonyms | none, all | none | group, collection, community |
| Common mistakes | Using 'each' with plural nouns, e.g., saying 'each apples' instead of 'each apple'., Confusing 'each' with 'every' - 'each' refers to individuals, while 'every' refers to the group as a whole. | Using 'every' with plural nouns like 'every students.', Confusing 'every' with 'all' especially in non-count situations., Omitting the singular noun after 'every.' | Confused with 'individuals' when referring to a group., Omitting 'the' before 'individual' in certain contexts. |
| Usage notes | Use 'each' when talking about individual items in a group, usually when the group is small or when emphasizing individuality. Avoid using 'each' with plural nouns. | 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.' | Commonly used to refer to a single person in various contexts. Avoid using in formal or legal contexts unless necessary, where terms like 'party' might be more appropriate. |
Frequently asked questions: Each vs Every vs Individual
What's the difference between Each, Every, and Individual?
Each: Every one from a group Every: all the things in a group without exception Individual: A single person or thing.
Which is more common: Each, Every, and Individual?
Each is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Each, Every, and Individual?
Individual is the highest level, at A2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Each, Every, and Individual the same CEFR level?
Each: A1, Every: A1, Individual: A2 on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Each: Each answer is worth 20 points. Every: Every student in the class passed the exam. Individual: Each individual has their own unique experiences.
Can I use Each, Every, and Individual interchangeably?
Not always. Each, Every, and Individual are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.