Cool MateEvery single thing vs Everything
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Every single thing
Top 2,000 (common)
Everything
Top 1,000 (very common)A1pronoun
Most common: Everything
| Every single thing | Everything | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈɛvri ˈsɪŋɡl θɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈɛvri ˈsɪŋɡəl θɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈevriθɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈevriθɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | everything at all | all things; all that exists |
| Example | I want to know every single thing about the project. | Everything had gone. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | pronoun | |
| Collocations | know every single thing, pack every single thing, consider every single thing | everything is fine, everything changes, everything you need, everything will be okay |
| Antonyms | - | nothing |
| Common mistakes | Using 'every single thing' in overly formal texts., Confusing with 'every thing,' which has a different meaning., Omitting 'single' when emphasis is needed. | 'Everythings' as a plural form, Using 'everything' with uncountable nouns incorrectly, Confused with 'all' or 'everyone' |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase to emphasize completeness. Avoid in very formal writing; suitable in conversation and casual writing. | Use 'everything' in general contexts. It's suitable for conversations, written texts, and all registers, but avoid formal academic writing where specificity is required. |
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Frequently asked questions: Every single thing vs Everything
What's the difference between Every single thing and Everything?
Every single thing: everything at all Everything: all things; all that exists
Which is more common: Every single thing and Everything?
Everything is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Every single thing: I want to know every single thing about the project. Everything: Everything had gone.
Can I use Every single thing and Everything interchangeably?
Not always. Every single thing and Everything 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.